Keeping up with Council: Sept. 2025

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CPSA Council, composed of regulated members, medical learners and Albertans, sets our overall direction and policies. Council generally meets 4 times each year to discuss key issues and make important decisions in the public’s interest that affect medical practice in Alberta.

CPSA welcomes new Registrar & CEO Dr. Colleen Forestier

The most significant event that took place during the September Council meeting was a special ceremony to officially welcome our new Registrar & CEO, Dr. Colleen Forestier, as she assumed the role from Dr. Scott McLeod.

Following Dr. McLeod’s retirement announcement in August 2024, Council launched an extensive national search for a new Registrar & CEO. In April 2025, Council selected Dr. Forestier to lead the organization into its next chapter.

Dr. Forestier brings a wealth of experience in clinical leadership, healthcare system operations and public service. A proud Albertan, she began her career as a rural family physician in southern Alberta before joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 2003. Over the past 2 decades, she has served in numerous leadership roles, including Command Surgeon for Canadian Special Operations Command, Canadian Joint Operations Command Surgeon and most recently, Director General of Clinical Services for the Canadian Armed Forces. Her service includes deployments to Afghanistan and West Africa, reflecting her deep commitment to service and resilience.

While welcoming Dr. Forestier to CPSA, Council also extended their gratitude to Dr. Scott McLeod, who joined the organization in 2017 following a distinguished career with the Canadian Armed Forces as a medical practitioner and progressive healthcare leader, most recently serving as Deputy Surgeon General. During his tenure with CPSA, Dr. McLeod was a driving force in advancing medical regulation and strengthening health care in both Alberta and on a national scale through the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FMRAC). In a time when access to care is a challenge experienced across the globe, he led Alberta to the forefront of change, transforming physician registration by streamlining pathways for international medical graduates (IMGs) and U.S.-trained doctors, opening hundreds of new physician positions across the province. Under his leadership, CPSA strengthened our organizational structure, completely rebuilt our complaints process and made strides towards addressing racism and discrimination in health care and advancing our journey towards Truth and Reconciliation, including the creation of the Indigenous Advisory Circle.

Here are a few additional highlights from September’s Council meeting:

• Truth and Reconciliation: Council Chair Dr. Nicole Cardinal began the meeting with a reminder that the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is Sept. 30. Council also heard a summary of the Indigenous Advisory Circle’s guidance to CPSA as we walk on our Path to Truth and Reconciliation.  
• Sponsorship fee reduction: CPSA has streamlined our processes in the year since we launched the sponsorship program, which has resulted in reduced associated costs. Council affirmed a decision they made by e-vote over the summer to reduce the fee for IMG sponsorship from $3,500 to $2,000 effective June 9, 2025.
• Bylaw amendments: CPSA Bylaws provide direction on our day-to-day operations. Council approved amendments to streamline decisions around recognizing substantially equivalent jurisdictions as well as English equivalency. These enhancements support a more flexible approach to registration while maintaining CPSA’s focus on patient safety and quality care.

Stay up to date on the latest Council news and decisions

There are lots of ways to keep up with Council before, during and after the quarterly meetings:

• The agenda and dossier materials are available on CPSA’s website prior to each meeting.
• Anyone is welcome to observe Council meetings virtually—to receive the meeting link, please complete the attendance form.
• If you’re not able to follow the meeting in real time, you can also find the meeting minutes on our website a few weeks later.