We provide explanations and background information on elections, voting rights and digital democracy
Regulatory College Council Members
Council members of regulatory colleges make up the governing body (the Council) of those organizations. Working collectively, council members are responsible for setting the overall direction of regulation within their particular profession, including setting goals and formulating policies based on the relevant legislation which governs their profession (for regulated health professions in Ontario, the Regulated Health Professions Act).
There are broadly two types of council member:
Professional practitioners - coming from within the college who are elected by the wider membership. These council members usually represent a geographical area such as a suburb or district.
Public members - coming from the wider community who are generally appointed by the government.
Certain council members will hold leadership positions of president and vice-president, and all will serve as members of sub-committees which specialize in a particular area of governance within the college. For example, a disciplinary committee, an education committee or a quality assurance committee.
The conduct of council members is invariably guided and monitored by a code of ethics, which aims to ensure that they are always acting to regulate their profession in a way which serves the public interest.