As of today, over 1,200 registrants of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) have signed a formal letter expressing non-confidence in the Registrar.
That number alone should give pause.
This is not a small group of disgruntled professionals. This represents a significant portion of the regulated psychology community in Ontario—including clinicians, supervisors, and trainees—coming together around shared concerns about how our profession is currently being governed.
And importantly, this letter is not about politics.
It is about public protection.
What Is This Letter Actually Saying? (In English, Please)
The letter, addressed to the CPBAO Board of Directors, outlines concerns about leadership, transparency, and decision-making processes at the College.
At its core, the message is simple:
We are concerned that the current leadership is undermining trust in the College—and that this ultimately affects patient care in Ontario.
Here are the key issues raised, in plain language:
1. Lack of transparency
Many registrants feel unclear on how major decisions are being made—especially how feedback from consultations is actually used.
2. Insufficient consultation with the profession
Changes that have major downstream impacts (training, supervision, scope of practice) have not consistently involved meaningful engagement with the people most affected.
3. Breakdown in trust and communication
Communication from the College has, at times, been experienced as dismissive or polarizing, rather than collaborative.
4. A chilling effect on speaking up
Many psychologists report fear of regulatory repercussions if they express concerns or engage in advocacy.
5. Disruption to training and workforce stability
Uncertainty around training pathways and standards is already affecting students, supervisors, and ultimately the future workforce.
What Is Being Requested?
The letter is not calling for chaos or shutdown.
It is asking for stabilization and accountability:
- A transition to new Registrar leadership
- A temporary pause on major reforms
- Independent review of consultation data and governance processes
- Clear, transparent communication moving forward
The goal is not to stop progress—but to ensure that change is safe, thoughtful, and grounded in expertise.
Why This Matters for the Public
This is not an internal professional disagreement.
Regulatory decisions shape:
- Who can provide care
- What training is required
- How safe and effective that care is
The letter makes this point clearly:
Public protection depends not just on authority—but on trust, transparency, and accountability.
If those elements are weakened, the system becomes less effective—no matter how well-intentioned the changes may be.
“But Isn’t This About Access to Care?”
Yes—and this is where things get misunderstood.
Everyone agrees:
➡️ Ontario needs better access to mental health care
➡️ Services need to be more affordable and available
Where the concern lies is how we get there.
The current proposals, as outlined in the letter, are seen by many as:
- Too fast
- Insufficiently vetted
- Significantly lowering training standards
The fear is not change.
The fear is unsafe or poorly implemented change.
Why Many Haven’t Signed (And Why That Matters)
One of the most striking parts of this moment is what isn’t visible.
Many psychologists have not signed the letter—not because they disagree, but because they are afraid.
Afraid of:
- Regulatory scrutiny
- Complaints
- Impact on their license
This “chilling effect” is explicitly named in the letter.
And that should concern all of us.
Because when professionals are afraid to speak openly about risks to care, the system becomes less safe—not more.
Why I Chose to Support This Letter
As psychologists, we are guided by an ethical obligation to:
- Protect the public
- Act with integrity
- Speak up when standards of care may be at risk
Silence, in this context, is not neutral.
If anything, it is exactly when speaking up feels uncomfortable that it becomes most important.
This letter is not about attacking individuals.
It is about ensuring that:
- Regulation is evidence-based
- Change is implemented responsibly
- The public continues to receive high-quality care
We Can Do Better for The People of Ontario
The purpose of this letter is not to slow progress.
It is to protect the future of mental health care in Ontario—and to ensure that increased access does not come at the cost of quality, safety, or trust.
We can—and must—have both.