Président: Martin Antony
mantony@psych.ryerson.ca Membres: Karen Cohen
Wendy Josephson
Catherine Lee
Linda McMullen
Juanita Mureika
Sandra W. Pyke
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Committee aims to support and promote the application of psychology as a science and a profession to the advancement of human welfare through influence on public policy. Consistent with Principle IV of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists, the Committee seeks to apply psychological knowledge to promote social structures and policies with beneficial purposes, specifically those purposes that maintain and enhance the welfare of all human beings, respect for the dignity of persons, responsible caring, integrity in relationships and responsibility to society.
Goals
To increase awareness of relevant psychological research among policy makers
- To inform the public of psychological knowledge relevant to public policy during times of public discussion and debate regarding that policy
- To encourage psychologists to recognize and articulate the public policy implications of their research, where such implications exist
Terms of Reference
- To provide support and advice to CPA Head Office in its response to requests by policy makers for scientific and professional psychology input into public policy (e.g., representation on advisory committees, presentations at public hearings)
- To provide support and advice to CPA Head Office in its response to requests from media and the general public for information relevant to issues of public policy
- To develop evidence-based policy statements for the Board’s approval in response to public policy-related issues as these arise
- To identify public policy issues proactively, on the basis of importance or anticipated opportunity for influence, and prepare evidence-based policy statements on these for the Board’s approval
- To inform the Membership about the policy relevance of psychological research and practice, and encourage Members to participate in informing policy makers about their policy-relevant research. The Committee will inform Members through such means as articles in Psynopsis and organizing workshops or presentations at the Annual Convention.
- With the approval of the Board, to develop and implement lobbying strategies with respect to public policy statements.
Accountability
The Committee on Public Policy will be chaired by the CPA President.
Committee Membership, Size and Activity
The Committee is composed of the CPA President who is its Chair and approximately 10 CPA volunteer members who are invited to sit on the Committee by the Chair, reflecting a diverse cross section of CPA members. When particular issues are the subject of Committee discussion and action, additional CPA members with expertise on those issues may be added on an ad hoc basis.
The Committee members are responsible for pursuing the vision and terms of reference of the Committee. To this effect, members participate in all discussions pertaining to committee work and work on projects or issues brought forward by the Committee, the Board of Directors, the sections and the members, as appropriate. Communications typically occur at a frequency of at least once a month.
Membership Term
Committee members are appointed by the Board of Directors through the Board member responsible for the Committee for one year with the intention that members will serve for a three (3) year term. Membership recruitment and retirement is staggered to ensure continuity and Committee institutional memory.
Meetings and Reporting
The Committee meets annually at the CPA Convention. Throughout the year communication takes place primarily through e-mail. Conference calls will be arranged by the Chair, if needed. Motions at meetings are minuted. Regular communication of the plans and activities of the Committee are provided to the membership through the Committee’s Annual Report to the Annual General Meeting, articles in Psynopsis and information on the web site and to the Board of Directors through reports to each Board meeting by the Committee Chair.
June, 2008
