Why does the College need to raise dues this year for the 2025 registration year?

All regulators under the Professional Governance Act (PGA) have had to evaluate, revise and expand their statutorily mandated activities to come into and remain in compliance with both the PGA and the International Credentials Recognition Act (ICRA). Examples of investments and improvements include:

• Revamped internal operating procedures
• Investments in technology to allow for better access for registrants including online CPD reporting, an in-house Learning Management System, and the online application portal
• New systems to comply with reporting requirements under the International Credentials Recognition Act
• Development of the Legal Requirements course
• Enhanced engagement and consultation on the ongoing implementation of reserved practice
• Development of an auditing regime to evaluate the College’s compliance with the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance’s (OSPG) Standards of Good Regulation
• Increased investments in compliance activities related to unlawful use of title and/or unlawful practice (practice infringement) as per the definition in the Applied Biologists Regulation

As well, the College is not immune from the inflationary pressures that have impacted the entire global community. The result is that the College is projecting a $70K deficit for the 2024 fiscal year.

Ongoing costs will include:

• Increased capacity to support the required practice guidance program
• Increased support for statutory committees (Nominations, Credentials, Audit & Practice Review, Investigations, Discipline)
• Bylaw updates and amendments
• Increased costs in adequately funding the Complaints and Discipline process
• Increased reporting functions as required through by International Credentials Recognition Act (ICRA)
• Increased reporting functions as required through the OSPG’s Standards of Good Regulation
• Increased OSPG information requests, annual audits by the OSPG on meeting the Standards of Good Regulation, and annual reporting requirements
• Continuing compliance work regarding unlawful Title and Reserved Practice infringement
• Ongoing collaboration with other regulators on alignments and intersections of reserved practice, and overlaps in regulated practice
• Continued investments in technology
• Ongoing meetings with the OSPG and other regulators, quarterly meetings with the Professional Governance Advisory Committee, and participation on a number of task-oriented committees (e.g. Practice Guidance Development)
• Increased costs

It is important to note that the College is required to meet the same regulatory standard as other regulators under the Act who currently have more capacity.