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CCBC Update: Amendments to sections 33 to 36 of the Bylaws

On February 10, 2023 the Board of the College of Chiropractors of British Columbia (the ‘CCBC’) approved amendments to the Bylaws and is proceeding with the filing of these amendments under s.19(3) of the Health Professions Act (the ‘Act’). These amendments pertain to the process for the CCBC’s annual general meeting as now set out in sections 33 to 36 of the Bylaws. At present, those sections describe an annual general meeting process where registrants may propose resolutions and vote on them at the meeting.  The amendments support greater public participation in annual meetings and similar bylaws were adopted by the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals in September 2022. Please find the following:

 

The Board is of the view that registrant resolutions at annual general meetings are not consistent with the CCBC’s role as a regulator nor its public interest mandate. Further, the Board is concerned that such resolutions create confusion for some registrants, and more importantly, the public. The Board notes that in his 2018 report, Mr. Harry Cayton commented that annual general meetings of regulators contribute to registrant misunderstanding of the nature of professional regulation, making them feel “that it is a club rather than a regulator”.  Further, the incoming Health Professions and Occupations Act which was developed in part to respond to the concerns in Mr. Cayton’s report does not contemplate any requirements for annual meetings of health profession regulators.

In the interests of transparency, the CCBC is sharing this information with registrants and the public in advance of the amendments coming into effect on May 19, 2023. The authority to make the provisions of the Bylaws to be amended arises under s. 19(1)(c), and therefore, a notice of the amendments is not required under s. 19(6.2). While we appreciate that registrants and the public may wish to comment on these amendments, there is no consultation required for these amendments. 

We are confident that the amendments will facilitate more engaging and inclusive annual meetings for all stakeholders and reinforce the CCBC’s public interest mandate.  In addition to the public’s ability to participate more fully in general meetings, the CCBC will be in a better position to present relevant information about the performance of the regulator and thoughtfully answer questions from all attendees, including registrants.

More details regarding the 2023 annual general meeting will be posted once they are available.

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