Recommendations to enhance CMPA’s governance model approved
Good governance is people, process, and structures designed to improve decision making, drive success, and reduce the likelihood of poor outcomes.
We have heard from our members that they want a responsive and agile CMPA. We are in a strong position to look proactively at improvements to our governance to set us up for continued success.
2 years ago, we embarked on a thorough examination of our governance model to lay the foundation for our governance for the next decade and beyond. We worked with expert consultants, conducted research, and repeatedly engaged members.
At the August 14, 2024 Annual Meeting, members approved the report and all the recommendations (by voting online and in-person).
Approved recommendations
- Progressively decrease Council size to 15-25 members* with a goal of enhancing the organization’s agility, facilitating responsive decision-making, and reducing duplication, cost and complexity of current governance processes.
*includes the Vice Presidents, President, and any appointed physician Councillors.
- Streamline Council nominations to a single process and maintain regional representation on Council, which reflects the geographical diversity of practice in different provinces and territories.
- Provide Council with the ability to appoint up to four (4) Council member positions when required to enhance diversity, skills, and other desirable attributes on Council and create 12-year term limits for all Councillors (with the exception of the Vice Presidents and President during their terms in office.)
- Maintain an appropriate mix of family physicians, specialists, and other physicians on Council.
No matter how our governance model evolves, we will continue to be there for members with compassionate support, medico-legal protection, and relevant learning and research to help reduce your risk.
What’s next? Amended by-law to members in August 2025
CMPA was formed by an Act of Parliament. As such, implementing the recommendations will require amending our by-law – which is a complex and lengthy process.
CMPA will spend the next year looking at how we can amend our by-law to implement the recommendations.
We aim to bring the amendments to next year’s annual meeting (August 20, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario) for member vote and approval.
“By moving forward with an enhanced governance model, Council can engage in strong decision making and maintain the high level of confidence of those impacted by the organization’s decisions and actions,” said Dr. Birinder Singh, CMPA President. “As healthcare continues to rapidly evolve, we will continue to be there for our members with compassionate support, medico-legal protection, and data-driven learning and research to enhance patient safety.”
Additional reading
