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Medical Matters: a message from Dr. Forestier
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From the Registrar, Medical Matters, November Messenger 2025 |
Posted November 13, 2025
Read time: 2 minutes
By: Dr. Colleen Forestier, Registrar & CEO
As a recently retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces, I spent some time this week reflecting on Remembrance Day. In addition to honouring the courage and sacrifice of those who are serving or have served our country, Remembrance Day has a way of highlighting the many ongoing geopolitical events that impact individuals and communities around the world. While many of these events may seem far away, they do affect people here in Alberta, including those working on the front lines of health care. It’s important to take a moment to acknowledge our shared humanity and the importance of compassion, connection and resilience—qualities that define Alberta’s medical community.
We know that the provincial and national healthcare landscape remains complex and, at times, uncertain. The pressures on health systems, practitioners, patients and individuals are significant. Despite these challenges, CPSA is dedicated to doing the best work we can in all our program areas, including registration, professional conduct and continuing competence. And through it all, your commitment to safe, high-quality care remains constant, and for that, we are truly grateful.
Amid challenges, we continue to see positive steps and evolution at a regulatory level. Alberta continues to see growth in the number of regulated members practising in the province, as evidenced by an increase of 643 independent practice physician registrations compared to this time last year. We’ve also seen early success with our new Approved Jurisdiction Route, which allows physicians from jurisdictions with training deemed substantially equivalent to Canadian standards to move directly to the General Register. Since launching in June, CPSA has received approximately 450 Review of Qualification applications that appear eligible for this route.
A lot of work has gone into supporting the province’s recruitment efforts to bring new physicians to Alberta, including international medical graduates (IMGs) and out-of-province physicians. CPSA Council also felt it was important to recognize and thank our current regulated members and as a result, CPSA has implemented an attraction and retention discount applied to your 2026 annual fees. With annual renewal open until Dec. 31, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for completing your Renewal Information Form and, if applicable, Professional Corporation Information Form. This process is not just a regulatory requirement, it’s an important way we maintain accountability, uphold standards and strengthen public trust.
Looking ahead, CPSA will soon begin planning for the development of our 2027-2031 Strategic Plan. This development process will be guided by CPSA Council and supported by our new Director of Strategic Priorities. Council has the important role of setting the direction of our work at CPSA for the coming years, bringing diverse perspectives and backgrounds from both regulated members and public members to Council’s decision making. Following the 2025 Council election, I have the privilege of announcing our four newly elected physician members to Council. I invite you to join me in welcoming Drs. Nkolika Anyabolu, Olumide Johnson Fatokun, Nkemakolam Obinna Eke and Doris Sturtevant, who will officially begin their terms in January 2026. Following the changes to our election process this year, it was wonderful to see so many qualified candidates submit themselves for consideration, and strong voter participation from the profession. I believe this is just another testament to your professionalism and dedication to health care in Alberta.
As I continue to settle into my role, I look forward to learning and sharing more about how CPSA and Alberta’s physicians and physician assistants are leading the way in important facets of health care across the country, and finding opportunities to continue to collaborate in support of safe patient care.
Thank you for this thoughtful message and for emphasizing collaboration in support of safe patient care. As an internationally trained physician who has completed accredited training and professional development here in Canada and is preparing to begin supervised practice in rural Alberta, I deeply appreciate CPSA’s commitment to high standards and to supporting the province’s recruitment efforts.
One challenge that many internationally trained physicians with substantial Canadian-acquired training face is the limited recognition of these competencies, even when they have already completed postgraduate programs or continuing professional development in Canada. This can create delays for rural communities that urgently need physicians, despite these candidates being well-prepared and aligned with CPSA’s expectations for safe practice.
As CPSA Council begins work on the 2027–2031 Strategic Plan, I hope there may be opportunities to explore pathways that better integrate Canadian-acquired training and rural workforce needs, while continuing to maintain the high standards that protect Albertans. I remain fully committed to meeting CPSA requirements and contributing to safe, high-quality care in Alberta’s rural communities. Thank you again for your leadership and openness to dialogue.
Thank you for your comment. I would like to acknowledge and thank you for your commitment to providing care in Alberta. Your feedback regarding your experience and general observations as an IMG is truly valuable. CPSA remains committed to reviewing and improving our processes to recognize equivalency where appropriate and move IMGs through assessments and into independent practice as quickly as possible, while maintaining patient care standards.