Nomination and election process

Diversity on Council is an asset to the CMPA. Differing viewpoints and a variety of lived experiences are essential to helping us understand and support our members. We invite and encourage submissions from members from all backgrounds who feel they can make a unique and valuable contribution.

Useful experience and attributes for nominees include a strong clinical background, leadership capabilities, outreach work, medical education or research experience, governance, business or legal experience, and financial or investment literacy.

The CMPA supports all new Council members with orientation, ongoing education, and training related to many of these areas.

Nominees must be CMPA members. Current members of council may seek nomination and re-election for an additional three-year term.

CMPA Council plays an important role in the overall success of the Association. As a member of Council, you govern the Association and provide direction, guidance, and support to the CMPA management team, which is responsible for the Association’s day-to-day business. The Terms of Reference for council and councillors [PDF] sets out the way in which council fulfills its responsibilities and describes the responsibilities of councillors.

Council is composed of member physicians from 10 geographical areas across Canada (British Columbia and Yukon; Alberta; Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Nunavut; Manitoba; Ontario; Québec; New Brunswick; Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island; and Newfoundland and Labrador).

To ensure appropriate representation across all specialties in medicine, surgery, and general practice, members seeking election must practice in one of the following two Divisions:

• Division A - Certification from CFPC, or CMQ (Specialists in Family Medicine), or physicians without CFPC or RCPSC certification
• Division B - Specialist certification from RCPSC or CMQ, not including Specialists in Family Medicine

The number of Division A or B positions in each area is determined by geographical location. In some instances, a council position within an area may be Division A or B.

Council members should plan to commit to at least 17 days per year (i.e., one annual meeting, eight Council days, and approximately eight committee days), as well as meeting preparation and travel time.

Council members will receive honoraria for Association business or travel. The CMPA also reimburses Councillors for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel, accommodation, meal expense, and childcare costs incurred on CMPA business.

There are two ways to seek nomination. Both require completion of the online candidate submission form.

1. Seek nomination by the Nominating Committee. Members can submit their names for consideration by the Nominating Committee.
   • The Committee reviews candidate submissions in November and December. These may include submissions from current Councillors seeking re-election.
   • The Committee will release the names of proposed candidates through the Report of the Nominating Committee.
2. Seek nomination through the CMPA Membership. Members can be nominated through the membership. In addition to the online candidate submission form, a member nomination form [PDF] is required. The form must be accompanied by the names and signatures of 10 supporting, current CMPA members who reside in the same geographical area as the member they are nominating.

The Council election and nomination process is governed by Article 4 of the CMPA By-law. Election(s) occur when we receive an eligible nomination from the membership in an area where the Nominating Committee has proposed a nominee. Unopposed candidates are acclaimed.

Candidates play an important role in communicating and encouraging CMPA members to vote in Council elections. See Campaign guidelines.

The form will require information found in your curriculum vitae (CV), such as professional and practice appointments.

Candidates are solely responsible for the spelling and accuracy of the information provided for their candidate statement and appointments, which may be used for election purposes on the CMPA website.

All information will be translated by the CMPA.

This is your chance to tell the membership why they should vote for you. (You will submit this information as part of the online candidate submission form.)

Candidates are solely responsible for the spelling and accuracy of the information provided for their candidate statement and appointments, which may be used for election purposes on the CMPA website.

All information will be translated by the CMPA.

The nomination form is required for nominations via the CMPA Membership. The form must be accompanied by the names and signatures of 10 supporting, current members of the CMPA who reside in the same geographical area as the member they are nominating.

Submit the completed nomination form [PDF] via email to elections@cmpa.org.

The photo you provide will be posted on the CMPA website and will be used for election purposes.

Your candidate photo MUST be:

• recent, professional, and in colour
• limited to the head, neck, and shoulders
• on a plain background (white backdrop is preferable)
• digital file format (.jpg)
• high resolution
  • Note: Typically, a photo taken on a personal camera or cell phone is not acceptable.

Send photo via email to elections@cmpa.org.