A message from the 2021 public members of CPSA Council

For more than two years we’ve navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, a public health crisis that has put Alberta’s healthcare system to the test. Through the hardships, we witnessed how our shared humanity and the trusting relationships between healthcare providers and patients are at the heart of quality care.

Beyond the pandemic, 2021 emphasized our collective need to listen to people of diverse backgrounds and walks of life. This was the year the Albertan voice became more prominent on CPSA Council as we moved to an equal composition of elected regulated members and appointed public members. Council welcomed three new public members to our table as we continued working alongside our elected physician-member peers. All voices at the Council table are heard and respected, and it’s a privilege and pleasure for us to work together to guide the medical profession.

While each CPSA Councillor brings a unique voice to the discussion, the public members in particular lend our personal perspectives as Albertans and patients. A challenging year like 2021 reinforced how each Councillor’s experience, whether as a physician or patient, helps guide CPSA in its work towards equitable health care for all who live in Alberta.

CPSA Council remains focused on ensuring patients, particularly from underserved populations, receive safe, high-quality care. In April 2022, when addressing Pope Francis about a path forward to reconciliation, former Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild issued a call to “go where there is no path and leave a trail for someone else.” We will answer this call by listening to, reflecting on and integrating the stories and experiences of people across Alberta as we explore a path towards equitable health care.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all healthcare workers for their dedication and compassion to Albertans seeking care. As we look ahead to 2022, we’re focused on continuing to fulfill CPSA’s mandate of protecting Albertans through our work, and bringing the perspective of patients to the decision-making table.