CSHBC will legally amalgamate with six other existing health profession regulatory colleges and become one multi-profession college by June 28, 2024. The amalgamation will include the following existing colleges:

• College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC
• College of Dietitians of BC
• College of Occupational Therapists of BC
• College of Opticians of BC
• College of Optometrists of BC
• College of Physical Therapists of BC
• College of Psychologists of BC

The Ministry of Health has confirmed the following name for the new amalgamated college: College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia.

Dianne Millette, currently the Registrar of the College of Physical Therapists of BC (CPTBC), has been appointed CEO of the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia. Dianne, who was appointed after an extensive recruitment and selection process, will assume the full-time role of CEO of the new college effective June 28, 2024.

Cameron Cowper will continue to serve as Registrar and CEO of CSHBC until amalgamation.

Four other existing health profession regulatory colleges will also legally amalgamate in a separate college by June 28, 2024:

• College of Chiropractors of BC
• College of Massage Therapists of BC
• College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC
• College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC

The Ministry of Health has confirmed the following name for the new college: College of Complementary Health Professionals of British Columbia. 

Carin Plischke, currently the Registrar and CEO of the College of Occupational Therapists of BC (COTBC), has been appointed CEO of this college.

After the amalgamations, there will be six health profession regulatory colleges in BC, including the two newly amalgamated colleges described above and the following:

• BC College of Nurses and Midwives
• BC College of Oral Health Professionals
• College of Pharmacists of BC
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC

Amalgamation planning and background

The amalgamating colleges have been working closely with each other, the BC Ministry of Health, and consultants on planning and preparation for amalgamation.

In July 2023, the Ministry of Health appointed Allan Seckel, K.C., to lead the amalgamations. Mr. Seckel has a diverse background spanning public service, private legal practice, and work in the not-for-profit sector. 

The CSHBC Board continues to make all executive decisions regarding the College’s mandate. Mr. Seckel has executive decision-making authority for all matters related to amalgamation.

Amalgamation of health profession regulatory colleges has been anticipated since a report by Harry Cayton, CBE, released by the Ministry of Health in 2019, and the 2020 report of the Steering Committee on Modernization of Health Professional Regulation. The reports recommended the amalgamations and other measures to modernize and improve efficiency and effectiveness of health regulation in BC.

Health Professions and Occupations Act

As part of the modernization of health profession regulation in BC, the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) will replace the Health Professions Act (HPA) as the governing legislation for regulated health professionals and health profession regulatory colleges in BC. The HPOA received Royal Assent on November 24, 2022. The BC Government has not yet released a date for when the HPOA will come into force. The HPA will continue to be the governing legislation for regulated health professionals and health profession regulatory colleges until the HPOA is in force. For more information, see the Health Professions and Occupations Act page.

Bylaws

BC health profession regulators, including CSHBC, are working collaboratively toward ensuring that the bylaws for the six colleges that will remain post-amalgamation and post-HPOA implementation are compliant with the new legislation.

More information

See the temporary amalgamation website for the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.

Read the following CSHBC News stories:

• February 28, 2024: Ministry of Health confirms name of amalgamated college: College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia
• February 5, 2024: CEO appointed for new multi-profession health regulatory college that will be created when seven colleges, including CSHBC, amalgamate
• September 25, 2023: Updates on amalgamation of health profession regulatory colleges, including CSHBC

CSHBC will communicate with registrants, applicants, and other stakeholders as more information is confirmed about amalgamation of health profession regulatory colleges.