G’day,
I would like to begin this message by expressing my appreciation to Adam, our former president. I have said this to him directly, but I would like to acknowledge in a public forum the dedication and commitment to the council that Adam provided. He exemplifies what it means to be a professional, and his impact will extend beyond his term. Truly a class act.
I am excited to be stepping into this role during the College’s 25th anniversary of becoming a regulatory college. The anniversary challenge coins launched earlier this summer have had a great response, with our first run already selling out. I appreciate every practitioner who has approached me to express enthusiasm and provide feedback on the challenge coins. The coins are currently on backorder, but the College is still accepting orders, which will be fulfilled as soon as possible. If you want to secure an anniversary coin before they sell out again, I recommend placing your order soon.
I am honoured to welcome Chris de Vries, ACP, and Joshua Brown, ACP, our two newest Council members. I look forward to working alongside both of you and learning from each other across my final term. An article with proper introductions will be published soon, so members can get to know them both better.
As previously messaged, we now fill vacancies on Council with recruitment-based appointments. With nearly three times as many applications as last year, it’s clearer than ever that the move away from election-based appointments was the right choice. The interest in serving on Council is outstanding, and I continue to be inspired by the passion, expertise and sheer caliber of the applicants we receive. Although this year we only had two spots available to fill, I encourage each of you to start considering involvement in future council or committee positions and advocate for public protection and advancement of the profession.
Last week, Council began its new term with a productive two-day meeting. Alongside budget approvals and legislative requirements, further progress was made in the background for degree education, and the initial steps towards introducing a Critical Care Paramedic designation were discussed, something very close to my heart. More information will be made available as soon as we can.
On behalf of the Alberta College of Paramedics, Council would like to announce that the land purchased in 2015 has officially been sold. Due to commercial market conditions outside of the College’s control, the land has depreciated over time. However, over the years, this decrease in market value has been accounted for in the College’s financial planning, so the recent sale of the land has not adversely affected the College’s financial position. All revenue from this land sale will be incorporated in the College’s ongoing financial planning activities to ensure operational effectiveness and maintain or decrease registration fees, as well as exploring other avenues that will support our members in their professional settings while serving the interests of the public and public safety.
Don’t forget: the last day of renewal is coming up on Tuesday, September 30. You all have until 4 pm that day to submit your renewal application and pay your registration fees in order to keep your practice permit active. If you have questions or need guidance, College staff are available during business hours over the phone, email or through the live chat on the website.
Lastly, in this evolving healthcare landscape, there has never been a better time to contribute to meaningful and positive change within our profession. I extend an open invitation: should our paths cross, please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself. I’m always eager to discuss the advancement of the paramedic profession and hear your perspective.
I wish you all a fantastic autumn season and best of luck heading into the 2025/2026 registration year.
Cheers,
Harrison Stein, ACP
President