Canadian Psychological Association


The Canadian Psychological Association is the primary organization representing psychologists throughout Canada. It was organized in 1939 and incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act, Part II, in May 1950.
Its objectives are to improve the health and welfare of all Canadians; to promote excellence and innovation in psychological research, education, and practice; to promote the advancement, development, dissemination, and application of psychological knowledge; and to provide high-quality services to members.

History

The CPA was founded in a University of Ottawa psychology lab in 1938, although it was not formally organized until 1939. Initially, the CPA's purpose was to help with Canada's contribution to World War II; indeed, the CPA was heavily involved with test construction for the Department of National Defence.

Organizational structure

CPA's head office is located in Ottawa, ON.
The CPA has a directorate for each of its three pillars – science, practice, and education.
The Board of Directors sets policies that guide the CPA. It is made up of Presidential Officers, Directors, and Executive Officers.

Policy and position statements

The CPA issues ethical standards to which all members are held, these standards are reviewed regularly, most recently in January 2017. The ethical standards are built on four principles which form cornerstone guidelines for making ethical decision. Those principles are: Respect for the Dignity of Persons and Peoples; Responsible Caring; Integrity in Relationships; and Responsibility to Society.
The CPA publishes policy and positions statements which are based on psychological evidence and ethical standards on given issues of importance. Below are some issues in which the CPA has issued public statements on:
The CPA board of directors convenes working groups to explore various issues affecting the science, practice and education of psychology. Some of those working group reports are as follows:
Members of the CPA with interests in specific areas of psychology are able to form and join sections. Sections have official status under the By-laws of the CPA, which give them power to:
The CPA offers 3 types of membership to individuals residing in Canada or the United States.
The CPA offers 2 types of affiliation to individuals residing in Canada or the United States.
The CPA offers 2 types of affiliation to individuals residing outside of Canada or the United States.
The CPA produces a series of informative brochures for the public called "Psychology Works Fact Sheets". Each brochure is reviewed by psychologists who are knowledgeable on that subject before being published online. Topics range from information on psychological disorders, parenting challenges, pain, stress, perfectionism, and much more. Along with these informative brochures, the CPA website contains lots of resources for individuals interested in psychology or receiving psychological services in Canada.
Every year, the CPA promotes February as Psychology Month and encourages Canadian psychologists to reach out to the public to raise awareness of what psychology is, what psychologists do, and how psychology benefits everyone.
The CPA is engaged in numerous emergency preparedness activities. Following national and international emergencies and disasters, the CPA provides the general public with timely resources on effective coping and information about stress and the indicators of psychological distress. The CPA is also involved in the National Emergency Psychosocial Advisory Consortium, the Mental Health Support Network, and the Council of Emergency Voluntary Sector Directors.
The CPA is also involved in partnerships with the following:
The CPA, in partnership with the American Psychological Association, quarterly publishes the following three academic journals:
The CPA also publishes a quarterly magazine called Psynopsis. Issues contain brief articles on specific themes relating to psychology, as well as updates from the head office of CPA, committee news, information about the annual convention, and much more.
Mind Pad is a professional newsletter that is written and reviewed by student affiliates of the Canadian Psychological Association. The newsletter is published biannually online.

Convention

CPA hosts a convention annually. The conventions usually include pre-convention workshops, keynote and invited speakers, poster presentations, symposiums, award presentations, and various social events. The location varies each year from city to city across Canada.

Awards

Each year at the annual convention, CPA honors individuals who have made distinguished contributions to psychology in Canada with the following awards:
The CPA has numerous student awards. As an example, the CPA gives out Certificates of Academic Excellence to students in each Canadian psychology department for the best undergraduate, masters, and doctoral thesis. The sections of CPA also award students for exceptional papers, presentations, and posters at the annual convention.
Fellowships are awarded to members of the CPA who have made distinguished contributions to the advancement of the science or profession of psychology or who have given exceptional service to their national or provincial associations. The Committee on Fellows and Awards review nominations and make recommendations to the Board of Directors who appoint fellows.

Presidents

The following have been Presidents of the Association: