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Proposed member class changes – fee changes deferred

Annual Meeting of Members (AMM) 2022

The CFPC has set high standards for educating family physicians since 1954. The Certification in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP) offered by the CFPC is recognized across the country as a mark of excellence in family medicine.

We take pride in ensuring family doctors rely on us to provide up-to-date information, programs, and learning opportunities; advocate at provincial, territorial, and federal levels; and offer support throughout the lifecycle of their careers.
 

Learning

The CFPC supports high standards of medical education at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in all 17 Canadian medical schools. We accredit the family medicine residency training programs and set standards for lifelong competency, developing a range of programs and services for continuing professional development (CPD).

Some learning and professional support opportunities include:

Advocacy

The CFPC is the voice of family medicine in Canada and is the only national organization for family physicians. We actively promote the role of family physicians and primary care to elected officials and other decision makers through government relations, discussion papers, policy statements, and representation on national committees and forums.

We respond to emerging issues in health care that affect family medicine, including the: We also have a global reach through the Besrour Centre for Global Family Medicine, working with low- and middle-income countries and offering co-learning opportunities with family doctors around the world.
 

Connections

Our Member Care Centre helps family physicians connect with services they need. We also offer programs and networking opportunities including Family Medicine Forum (FMF), Canada’s largest and most comprehensive annual conference for family physicians. FMF focuses on providing four days of practical, cutting-edge, and thought-provoking educational opportunities.
 

Membership Fees

The CFPC is listening to you, our members

Amid elevated levels of inflation, the College—like you—is dealing with higher prices and everything costing more. Like you, we, too, are running to stand still, to maintain the core offerings that support you every day. This includes the continuing professional development and communities of practice on which you’ve come to rely, the rigorous examinations and accreditation processes that backs your CCFP credential, and the focused advocacy, which no other organization does for family physicians: we are sitting at the tables that matter, that are exclusive to your professional interests.

We understand that these are extraordinary times, though, and that the proposed increase of $4.75 per month to member fees is just one more unwelcome thing to bear by some of our members.

That is why, in good faith, the College will be deferring this proposed fee increase for one year.

We do so to reinforce our commitment to you as members and demonstrate, through action, that we are very much in your corner.

This extraordinary one-time decision to defer, as supported by the Board; however,  will mean the College now faces about a $4 million deficit this year.

That means this proposed fee increase will return to you in 2023 in some form. In the long run, no organization is sustainable if its revenues do not keep pace with the cost of living.


Member Classes

The CFPC is proposing a simplification of member classes, from 11 to four:
  • Practising – members in practice
  • Non-Practising – members no longer in practice but wanting to maintain a connection to the CFPC
  • Learner – members at the beginning of their career; this includes both students and residents
  • Associate – A health care professional or other role who works in collaboration with family physicians in clinical practice or academic departments of family medicine
Fewer member classes offer:
  • Clarity and simplicity for members, including voting privileges
  • Clear fee structure and benefits
  • Reduction in internal administration
What are the proposed new classes of membership

Voting Privileges

We are proposing changes to voting eligibility related to how members connect with the College. Members who have CPD requirements to fulfill pay a membership fee and vote. Members who do not have CPD requirements to fulfill will not pay a membership fee or vote.

Only members in the Practising class have a vote. Voting members are entitled to one vote each at the AMM.

All members, including those who don’t have voting privileges, will continue to receive the high value they have come to expect, including CPD opportunities, advocacy on their behalf, quality programs and services, networking opportunities, and connection to the College.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the proposed new classes of membership?

    A Practising class member is a voting member who is either:

    • A licensed physician in good standing, engaged in the practise of family medicine including patient care, teaching, research, and/or administrative practice including members in their first year of practise
    • Engaged in a primary practice or specialty other than family medicine who holds certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or another certifying body recognized by the College

    Practising class members are required to:

    • Pay annual Corporation membership fees and Chapter fees as set by the Board and the Chapter Boards
    • Fulfill CPD requirements as determined by the Board
    • Be members of both the Corporation and a Chapter (with the exception of members practising in the territories or outside of Canada)

    A Non-Practising class member is a non-voting member in good standing who is either:

    • No longer actively engaged in providing medical care to patients, nor actively involved in any other medical or medically related field or endeavour
    • An individual of distinction and not a family physician, who has made outstanding contributions to family medicine
    • A member of the public with a role on the CFPC Board and/or its Committees

    Non-Practising class members:

    • Are not required to pay annual Corporation or Chapter fees
    • Are not required to fulfill CPD requirements
    • Are members of both the Corporation and a Chapter

    A Learner class member is a non-voting member in good standing who is either:

    • A physician enrolled as a resident in an approved postgraduate training program in family medicine
    • A physician who was previously a practising family physician of the College and is now enrolled as a resident in an approved postgraduate training program in a medical discipline other than family medicine
    • An international medical graduate (IMG) who is enrolled in a Canadian provincial ministry of health- and/or university-approved assessment/training program leading to the attainment of a license to practise in Canada
    • An individual enrolled in a Canadian university faculty of medicine undergraduate program leading to the MD degree who has an interest in family medicine

    Learner class members:

    • Are not required to pay annual Corporation or Chapter fees
    • Are not required to fulfill CPD requirements, with the exception of a resident who may voluntarily register CPD
    • Are members of both the Corporation and a Chapter

    An Associate class member is a non-voting member in good standing who is:

    • A health care professional or other who works in collaboration with family physicians in clinical practice or academic departments of family medicine

    Associate class members:

    • Pay annual Corporation fees as set by the Board
    • Are not required to fulfill CPD requirements
    • Are not required to belong to a Chapter nor pay annual Chapter fees
    What are the proposed new classes of membership

  • As an Active Member, how does this proposed class simplification impact my membership?

    1. Your current class will be changed to Practising class
    2. Your current fees will not change

  • As an Out of Country Member, how does this proposed class simplification impact my membership?

    1. Your current class will be changed to Practising class
    2. Your current fees will be changed to Practising fees and are higher

  • As an Affiliate Specialist, how does this proposed class simplification impact my membership?

    1. Your current class will be changed to Practising class
    2. Your current fees will be changed to Practising fees and are higher

  • As a Life Practising member, how does this proposed class simplification impact my membership?

    1. Your current class will be changed to Practising class
    2. Your current fees will be changed to Practising fees and are higher

  • As a Life Non-Practising member, how does this proposed class simplification impact my membership?

    1. Your current class will be changed to Non-Practising class
    2. Your current fees will be changed to Non-Practising fees and remain complimentary

  • As a Senior member, how does this proposed class simplification impact my membership?

    1. Your current class will be changed to Practising class
    2. Your current fees will be changed to Practising fees and are higher

  • As a Resident member, how does this proposed class simplification impact my membership?

    1. Your current class will be changed to Learner class
    2. Your current fees will be changed to Learner fees and will be complimentary

  • As a Student member, how does this proposed class simplification impact my membership?

    1. Your current class will be changed to Learner class
    2. Your current fees will be changed to Learner fees and will remain complimentary

  • As an Associate member, how does this proposed class simplification impact my membership?

    1. Your current class will remain Associate class
    2. Your current fees will not change

  • As a Retired member, how does this proposed class simplification impact my membership?

    1. Your current class will be changed to Non-Practising class
    2. Your current fees will be changed to Non-Practising fees and remain complimentary

  • As a Sustaining member, how does this proposed class simplification impact my membership?

    1. Your current class will be changed to Practising class
    2. Your current fees will be changed to Practising fees and are higher

  • Will my Mainpro+® account be affected by these changes?

    In the newly proposed classes, Mainpro+ access will be as follows:

    Practising – will have access to Mainpro+ and will be required to meet the CFPC’s Mainpro+ requirements.

    Non-Practising – will not have access to Mainpro+ and will not be required to meet the CFPC’s Mainpro+ requirements.

    Learner – residents will have voluntary access to Mainpro+ and are encouraged to report their certified credits to take advantage of 40 rollover credits that can be carried over into their first active cycle.
    Students will not have access to Mainpro+ and will not be required to meet the CFPC’s Mainpro+ requirements.

    Associate – will not have access to Mainpro+ and will not be required to meet the CFPC’s Mainpro+ requirements.

  • If I am moving from one member class to another, will my access to Mainpro+ be affected?

    Members moving from Retired or Life Non-Practising to the proposed new Non-Practising class will no longer have access to their Mainpro+ account or records. Prior to the class changes taking effect, we will notify members and provide instructions on how to download historical reports. 

    CFPC Mainpro+ staff will always be able to access your historical information, so it can be sent to you upon request.

    Members moving from Sustaining to the proposed new Practicing class will now be required to meet the CFPC’s Mainpro+ requirements.

  • When will the proposed simplification of classes be implemented?

    Members will vote on the proposed simplification of classes (from the current 11 to four) at the November 2, 2022, Annual Meeting of Members. If approved, the new member classes would take effect on January 1, 2023, and associated fees would be effective July 1, 2023.

  • Why is the CFPC proposing the simplification of member classes?

    Fewer member classes offer clarity and simplicity for members, a clear fee structure and benefits, and a reduction in internal administration so that our Member Care Centre staff can spend more time with members and provide outreach and support when needed.

  • How will support for members be improved by this change?

    By administering fewer membership classes:

    • Allows the Member Care Centre to continue to improve outreach to members
    • Provides options for physicians who hold a provisional license to be active CFPC members under the new Practising class and obtain the Member of the College of Family Physicians (MCFP) designation with special conditions as they work to obtain their full license
    • Recognizes the value of other health professionals being members of the College
    • Harmonizes fees based on Practising, Non-Practising, Learner, and Associate classes

  • Do you see other changes coming to member classes?

    We are not planning any further significant changes to member classes at this time.

  • Why are you making this change now? Is this something members are asking for?

    As we refine and improve our member care services, we’ve identified areas that need addressing. Eleven member classes can lead to lack of clarity about member status, confusion when switching between classes, and administrative errors.
 

Fee Increase – deferred until 2023

  • Why did the CFPC decide to defer fee increases until 2023?

    The CFPC heard members and is listening. Amid elevated levels of inflation, the College is dealing with higher prices and everything costing more. But we have heard from members that the proposed increase of $4.75 per month to member fees is just one more unwelcome thing to bear. We are deferring the member fee increase for one year. We do so to reinforce our commitment to you as members and demonstrate, through action, that we are very much in your corner.

  • What will happen next year?

    The CFPC will reintroduce member fee increases next year. No organization is sustainable if its revenues do not keep pace with the cost of living.

  • Does that mean the College has enough money?

    No. Deferring a member fee increase for one year means the College faces a $4 million deficit this year. We will take the next year to examine every facet of the College’s operations to see where savings may be found.

  • Will services be cut?

    This deficit will almost certainly mean changes to what we do and how we do it, and though we will try our best to avoid a decrease in member services or a diminution of the voice of family medicine at the tables that matter, the reality is that all this work done in your name to serve you and advance your interests costs money.

  • What is the College doing to offer value to members?

    The College is the sole organization dedicated to you as family doctors. We have always been in your corner, advancing the specialty of family medicine in Canada. More than just letters, the College backs every single CCFP and FCFP certificate that is issued as an assurance of standard and quality through our residency accreditation, exam, and CPD processes. The College also brings the voice of more than 42,000 members to the highest levels of each tier of government to push for family medicine.

    This year, The College has participated in two presentations to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health to address the crisis in health and human resources in Canada and had more than 10 scheduled meetings with elected leaders, including the Ministry of Health. The College has issued policy recommendations that have touched on administrative burnout and an establishment of a strategy to support the mental health of health care workers. Using the collective College voice, $3.2 billion was pledged by the Liberal government to boost family medicine and family physicians in Canada.

  • How do you plan to get to know members?

    We are always listening to members. We heard from members that the proposed increase of $4.75 per month to member fees is just one more unwelcome thing to bear. We are deferring the member fee increase for one year. We will also need to take the next year to examine every facet of the College’s operations to see where savings may be found. We are also committed to taking the next year to hear from you through more frequent contact and making the College more responsive to your needs and what you face each day. We will be launching a new strategic planning process in 2023, and your voice will be critical in determining the College’s future directions and operational foci.

  • Are member class changes still being proposed?

    Yes. This change will help streamline our membership processes and bring about operational efficiencies.

  • Can you tell me more about fees and College products and services?

    The CFPC hasn’t raised member fees since July 2017 including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a priority to protect members from any fee increases during that time in acknowledgement of the uncertainty members faced and the difficulty within family medicine.

    The high value our members have come to expect us to provide include continuing professional development opportunities (CPD), advocacy, quality programs and services, and connection to the College.

    Recent examples include:

    • Launched the Professional Learning Plan with 242 registrants in the first month
    • Met with elected officials in Ottawa, including the Minister of Health, to advance family medicine issues
    • Hosted 13 webinars, issued 1,700 certified Mainpro+® credits, and have more than 11,000 members subscribing to Self-Learning

    The CFPC Board has approved deferring the fees for one year.

    We understand the financial hardship for Learners as they grow toward becoming Practising members. In the proposed new member class structure, Students and Residents both fall into the Learner category. Learners would not pay membership fees.

 

Voting Privilege

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