Year-End Letter from the Registrar

Actions speak louder than words. If I had to pick a phrase to define 2025, that would be it.

Last year was a year of transition; this year we didn’t just talk about change; we lived through it.

As we close out the year, I want to take a moment to celebrate the progress we’ve made.

First, after a thorough review and analysis we have made many adjustments internally that will help us meet our mandate in a way that better serves the public. 

One of the most significant transformations has been in the Complaints & Investigations department. Though changes to processes may not yet appear visible externally, we expect these improvements will soon make a positive impact on the timeliness of resolution of matters and the experience of both complainants and registrants.

The concept of self-regulation is not widely understood. This year, we focused intentionally on reminding registrants that self-regulation is a privilege that comes with responsibility and accountability. It is not a right, and it is on us as a profession to preserve. I have had enriching conversations with many of you about the ways in which our daily actions and behaviours contribute to the maintenance of this privilege. An engaged profession is one that is in the best position to demonstrate effective self-regulation.

A historic step for CPSM

This June was a pivotal moment at CPSM as we launched a new standard for Practicing Medicine to Eliminate Anti-Indigenous Racism and mandatory cultural safety and anti-Indigenous racism training.

We know the standard and the training requires investment on your part, which is necessary to improve the health outcomes of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people who receive medical care in Manitoba.

Recognizing this, we created a new initiative, the Restorative Practices Program, to support registrants through what may be a significant learning curve or change in practice for some.

This educational, supportive, and human-centred approach has always been the focus of the Quality department. Housing this program within that department was our way of creating a safe place to learn and reflect, which is something all Quality programs strive for.

The program launched with a pipe ceremony. Watch the video of this historic milestone in CPSM history here.

I’m pleased to let you know that in six months, we have had 18% of registrants completed their training. CPSM registrants have until October 2027 to complete your training. I encourage you to make space to do so in the coming year. If you have any questions, contact the RPP at restorativepractices@cpsm.mb.ca 204 204-774-4344.

By Registrants, for Registrants in the public interest

We believe that registrant consultation is important when implementing standards. That is why all standards are led and developed by registrants. Additionally, this year, we piloted pre-consultations for a new standard of practice on collaborative care. This has been well received by the groups we met with as it provides opportunity to have more voices shape the standard in its early stages. Not surprisingly, these pre-consultations resulted in significant improvements to the standard, which you can expect to see when the public consultation on the draft collaborative care standard of practice launches in the new year. 

We know that not everyone will agree to every section of every standard, what we can stand behind is that standards are developed by the profession for the profession, with the best interest of patients at the core.

Staff commitment

As we close out the year, I would like to acknowledge CPSM staff for your commitment to our mandate as we continue to evolve into a more engaging, human-centred, and service-oriented organization. We stayed true to our vision and are delivering meaningful outcomes in the interest of Manitobans.

To the profession

We are all working within challenging systems in very challenging times. Despite that, you continue to show up to do your best with the resources you have, in situations that test us. I am inspired by your hard work and the commitment you demonstrate.

When we work together and show up for one another, we strengthen the profession and the trust the public has in us.

It is uplifting to see so many of you deeply invested in self-regulation. Leveraging our regulatory structure through positive engagement with the profession and investing in proactively focusing on quality as the foundational principle of regulation, we are empowered to achieve even more.

Thank you to all who serve on Council, working groups, and committees, and those who exercise the privilege of self-regulation by responding to our consultations, or engage in peer reviews.

My deepest gratitude for all that you do. I look forward to what we can accomplish together in the new year.

Wishing you all a holiday season filled with rest and relaxation and time spent connecting with loved ones.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ainslie Mihalchuk

Registrar and CEO