Have you heard the news?

Coming this October! CAOT announces the opening of CAOT-QC

On behalf of the CAOT Board of Directors, we would like to announce that, as of October 1, 2016, CAOT will establish a membership chapter in the Province of Quebec. The Quebec chapter, called CAOT-QC, will provide our Quebec members with official representation to their provincial government, a new partner in the pursuit of occupational therapy excellence in Quebec, more focus on their provincial needs and concerns, more forums, more resources. We hope you share our excitement as we embark on creating the CAOT-QC chapter!

To date, there has not been one united voice for the over 4,000 occupational therapists in Quebec with regards to advocating for their interests. As well, they have not wholly benefitted from the programs, resources and activities that CAOT provides. Now they will. CAOT-QC will become the voice for occupational therapy in Quebec. The occupational therapists in Quebec are already well served on regulatory matters, through the Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec (OEQ). CAOT has informed the OEQ about the chapter opportunity, will continue to keep them updated, and thanks them for their co-operation.

As most of you know, CAOT established a CAOT-BC chapter over four years ago. That chapter has knit the province’s occupational therapists together, has been active and purposeful, and has added tremendous value by supporting British Columbia’s occupational therapists to thrive professionally and practice optimally. So, CAOT has a successful model to build upon and borrow from.

In Quebec, a Managing Director will be hired, an Interim Advisory Committee formed, and various levels of outreach will begin. Our CAOT Board Director, Martine Brousseau, who has been a champion for the CAOT-QC initiative, will continue her involvement going forward. 

This new entity is exciting for all of us. As plans unfold over the coming months, we will keep you informed. In the meantime, if you have questions regarding our new CAOT-QC chapter, please contact Janet Craik, CAOT Executive Director at jcraik@caot.ca.