Vision and Mission of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
The CPA was organized in 1939 and incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act, Part II, in May 1950. The CPA received its Certificate of Continuance under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (NFP Act) in August 2013.
Vision: A society where understanding of diverse human needs, behaviours and aspirations drive legislation, policies and programs for individuals, organizations and communities.
Mission: Advancing research, knowledge and the application of psychology in the service of society through advocacy, support and collaboration.
2020-2025 CPA Strategic Plan
To ensure the CPA is meeting its mission and responsibilities, the CPA is guided by a strategic plan that sets out clear goals, objectives, activities, and operating guidelines for 2020-2025. The CPA’s strategic plan is founded on a vision that the science, practice and education of psychology has broad and deep relevance to public policy and the public good. The CPA’s intent is to realize this vision through all its principles, policies and activities. It is in its role as psychology’s national voice, that the CPA as an organization envisions a society where understanding of human needs, behaviours, and aspirations drive legislation, policies and programs for individuals, organizations and communities. The CPA’s strategic priorities target the activities that will help us hone this contribution. The impact of our contribution will be measured by the focus and success of our activities, organized to advance research, knowledge and the application of psychology in the service of society through advocacy, support and collaboration.
Click on the following links to view the CPA’s 2020-2025 strategic plan and its operating and guiding principles.
Message from The CPA’s President,
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Message from the CPA’s Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Lisa Votta-Bleeker
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How the CPA Works and Who to Contact for What at Head OfficeThe Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) is the national association for the science, practice and education of psychology in Canada. With over 7,000 members and affiliates, the CPA is Canada’s largest association for psychology. The vision, policy and priorities for the CPA are established by its Board of Directors in accordance with the CPA’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan (https://cpa.ca/docs/File/Governance/MVG%20-%20EN%20-%20FINAL.pdf). Board of Directors are elected from among the CPA membership; Presidential Officers are elected from amongst the CPA Board of Directors. The CPA’s three pillar committees (Professional Affairs, Scientific Affairs, Education and Training) are chaired by the respective Board of Directors representing Practice, Science and Education. Two of the Board of Director seats are reserved for a representative of the CPA’s Student Section and another for a representative of the Council of the CPA’s Sections. Four of the Board of Director seats are held by representatives from the CPA’s partner organizations (Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science, Council of Professional Associations of Psychologists, Canadian Council of Professional Psychology Programs, Council of Canadian Departments of Psychology). A listing of the names and portfolios of the CPA’s Board of Directors can be found by clicking here (https://cpa.ca/aboutcpa/boardofdirectors/). As needed, the CPA’s Board of Directors convenes Working Groups and Task Forces to explore various issues affecting the science, practice and education of psychology; click here (https://cpa.ca/aboutcpa/committees/cpataskforces/to see the list of current and past working groups/task forces along with their final reports to the Board. The CPA’s work is also guided by a number of board-led, management-led, arms-length, and standing committees; click here (https://cpa.ca/aboutcpa/committees/) to see a list of the CPA’s current committees. Updates on the work of the CPA’s Committees and Working Groups are included in the CPA’s annual report (https://cpa.ca/aboutcpa/annualgeneralmeetingsandreports/). A review of the CPA’s work, as per the Strategic Plan, is also provided on an annual basis to the CPA’s membership at the annual general meeting; all members and affiliates are welcome to attend the annual meeting although only full members can vote at the annual meeting. Click here for more information. Responsibility for the operations of the CPA rests with its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and through the CEO, with the CPA’s Head Office staff. A listing of the CPA staff, their titles and coordinates can be found on our Contact Us page.
Members of the public commonly contact the CPA with questions about psychological disorders (see Psychology Works Fact Sheets), the study, practice and licensing of psychologists, how to get a referral to a psychologist, and what to expect when seeing a psychologist. Answers to these questions are often answered by information found on the public pages of our website. If your question is not answered there, please contact CPA’s Operations Assistant for further assistance. |
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One of the most exciting times of the year for the Canadian Psychological Association is the Annual Convention. This is a time for those involved in psychology in Canada to come together, learn from each other, envision future projects, and to forge new and deepen existing relationships with others who are part of Canadian psychology. As one convention ends, it is also a time of change at CPA in terms of presidential officers. I would like to share with you a video of the remarks I made after the gavel was passed to me at the Annual General Meeting of CPA’s 85th Annual National Convention held on June 22, 2024. As President of CPA for 2024/2025, I look forward to the year ahead, a year centered on connection, engagement, and dialogue, even when, especially when, things seem difficult. …
It is with great honour and excitement that I welcome this opportunity to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Psychological Association.