CAMRT-ATL Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. All Atlantic CAMRT members have had opportunity to offer feedback and will now have the opportunity to vote on this proposal.

An online voting process will open from June 14th and run until noon on June 27th to allow for members to cast their votes on whether they would like to mandate the CAMRT to provide provincial association services in their province.

Yes, in order to be consistent with the bylaws of the PEIAMRT and the NLAMRT, a minimum eligible voter participation of 15% in each province is required, with a majority in favor (50% +1) in order to consider the vote for a CAMRT-ATL model as passed.

No. This model would work best if all four provinces collaborated, but it could still go ahead if only two provinces, for example, implemented it.

MRTs in a province that did not implement the CAMRT-Atlantic model would still have access to a regular CAMRT membership, but would not receive the benefit of additional provincial advocacy, programs and services from the $50 CAMRT-ATL membership.

Regulatory bodies are either in place or nearing their final stages of development in the four Atlantic provinces. The primary mandate of these regulatory bodies is to ensure public safety.

In the case of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the regulatory bodies (which are evolving, but exist already) are able to offer only limited provincial association services, and only when the activities directly fulfill their mandate of public protection. With the restrictions placed on regulatory bodies, there are often significant gaps in the protection and support of the MRT profession, and the ability to speak up for MRTs. Evolving legislation will only further restrict the ability to provide association services to members, leaving regulatory bodies unable to provide association services to MRTs, and the MRTs themselves without a provincial voice acting on their behalf.

In the case of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador , new regulatory bodies, separate to the current provincial associations, have been or will be established to fulfill the regulatory function. Although there would be nothing to formally preclude the continuation of PEIAMRT and NLAMRT as provincial associations, both organizations would expect to face significant challenges in recruiting volunteers to keep up operations, particularly with the competing volunteer demands from the college itself. In addition, the financial implications for members — of paying dues to three separate organizations — begged the question as to whether there could be a better model for provincial association services and representation .

The leaders from all the Atlantic Associations, or AMRTA (Atlantic MRT Accord), expressed their desire to see these provincial association services such as advocacy, events, education, awards, and regional communications continue for their members. After seeing how MRTs in British Columbia benefited from their new Association model, where the CAMRT layered in additional staffing and resources to provide provincial association services, while benefitting from efficiencies and economies of scale, AMRTA approached CAMRT to explore the possibility of a model for Atlantic Canada.

At no time has the importance of provincial representation been more important than now. If these bodies are unable to advocate on your behalf for vaccine access, and appropriate PPE, or to provide programs and services to support your mental wellness, then who will?

Where the MRT profession is already regulated, we know that government regulations defining the mandate of the regulatory bodies are tightening to restrict and eliminate the provision of any “association” type services that are not in the direct interest of public protection. With other regulatory colleges on the horizon, the resulting gap in representation, support and advocacy has reached a crucial tipping point.

In anticipation of these gaps, the senior leadership of AMRTA contacted the CAMRT as they already offer so many of the same services. It was only within the last 12 months that a detailed plan was developed, with budget estimates surrounding CAMRT delivery of provincial services. That is why we have initiated a consultation at this stage of the project, so we can hear what you want and need, and move ahead with the membership behind us. In a decision of this magnitude, we need membership involvement and to hear our member’s opinions.

In PEI and Newfoundland & Labrador, the PEIAMRT and NLAMRT support, advocate for, and provide valuable programs and services to members. They provide continuing education and networking opportunities to members to ensure they maintain accepted standards of practice and patient safety. They also serve as the voice of members to the public, governments, and other stakeholders in the province to promote the value of qualified medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals and support the advancement of the profession.

In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the NSCMIRTP and NBAMRT are both regulatory bodies with a mandate to protect the public. In the past, both organizations have also delivered a variety of “association” services as well. However, in both provinces, government regulations defining the mandate of the regulatory bodies are tightening to restrict and eliminate the provision of any “association” type services that are not in the direct interest of public protection.

The national association (CAMRT) and the provincial association (PEIAMRT or NLAMRT) are separate, each having its own constitution, bylaws and Board of Directors or Executive/Council. Both national and provincial associations represent the interests of MRTs, but at different levels (e.g., CAMRT = nationally and internationally; PEIAMRT/NLAMRT = in their own provinces). Together the organizations collaborate to ensure the interests of MRTs are represented fully.

The CAMRT is a national association, representing and voicing the interests and concerns of MRTs at the national and international levels. The NSCMIRTP and NBAMRT are both regulatory bodies with a mandate to protect the public. In the past, both organizations have also delivered a variety of “association” services as well. However, in both provinces, government regulations defining the mandate of the regulatory bodies are tightening to restrict and eliminate the provision of any “association” type services that are not in the direct interest of public protection. There is and has always been an excellent relationship between the CAMRT and the provincial bodies in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia at all stages of their organizational evolutions.

No, new regulatory colleges will be established. The provinces of PEI and Newfoundland & Labrador will not entertain the idea of a hybrid college/association; each must be separate organizations, carrying out different mandates.

In both provinces, the college’s mandate is to protect the public, while the mandate of the CAMRT and provincial associations (PEIAMRT, NLAMRT) is to serve MRTs and work for the advancement of the profession.

No. there is a strict division between regulatory and association functions due to conflicting mandates, and so the regulatory college is unable to legally provide association services to its registrants.

The greatest advantage is having a paid Provincial Manager for your province, who will be dedicated to the delivery of advocacy, programs and services in each province in the region. Members will benefit from Atlantic Canada focused advocacy, relevant webinar topics, regional education and marketing initiatives and the continuation of the biannual AMRTA Conferences. Members will also benefit from a dedicated Site Ambassador program, the continuation of regional/provincial awards and additional support for MRT Week.

The Provincial Manager will be connected to members through the creation of an “Atlantic Advisory Council” to support regional initiatives and to advise on trending local issues. Atlantic MRTs will gain a much larger, collective voice at the stakeholder tables and will benefit from the CAMRT infrastructure already in place, and the 20 paid staff already working for us at the National level.

The CAMRT-ATL model helps to maximize efficiency and eliminate duplicate services and functions between organizations. Rather than spending time on governance office administration, membership registration, education for members and communications, volunteers can shift their efforts to the priorities they are truly passionate about: advancing and advocating for the profession at the provincial level and engaging members in the delivery of value for the dues.

An Atlantic Facebook page will also be initiated, as well as a full section on the CAMRT website.

It is a network of MRTs, at least one in each institution, to act as a conduit for information to and from members. Ambassadors will be the eyes and ears on the ground and an essential link between the CAMRT, the CAMRT-ATL Advisory Council and the membership.

The goal of the senior leadership throughout this process has been to come up with options for members that help to reduce the costs of association membership, while maintaining the important aspects of a provincial association (both its opportunities and its services). There will still be many opportunities for involvement at the local level to shape the delivery of provincial services to your fellow MRTs. The provincial advisory council will provide opportunity to evaluate, assess and advise on the provincial needs of our members. The Site Ambassador Program, which has been extremely effective in British Columbia, will be another opportunity for members that want to give back but don’t have the time commitment it may take for the council. There will likely also be other opportunities for volunteerism and committees based on the needs of the membership.

Dues for the proposed CAMRT-Atlantic would be an additional $50 to the current $225 CAMRT membership dues. CAMRT + CAMRT-ATL together would cost $275 annually. Dues can be paid in monthly installments, and in some health authorities, through payroll deduction.

The dues above do not include the registration fees administered by the regulatory college in each province.

The additional $50 per member will be used to support the customized provincial association services offered. CAMRT is a not-for-profit organization, so monies collected will go back into member services. Specifically in the Atlantic provinces, this money will go towards the salary of a dedicated Provincial Manager, who will be on the ground in the region, visiting sites, providing outreach and liaising with government and administrative departments for the benefit of the profession.

The process for setting the level of the dues levied for provincial service delivery takes into account the service being delivered and the total amount of dues being collected from all ATL members. The initial dues, $50, were set using this criteria – that is, it was determined that the CAMRT would require $50 from each member to deliver the proposed provincial member services: provincial advocacy, local education, provincially-focused communication, etc. Any change to either membership numbers, or the services being delivered could have an impact on the level of the dues. In the event there is need for an increase in the dues collected to maintain the level of provincial member services, the CAMRT Board of Directors and ultimately the membership would need to approve the change.

No. If the membership of your province votes to adopt the CAMRT-ATL model, CAMRT and CAMRT-ATL membership would be combined in your province — subscribing to annual membership in CAMRT would automatically include CAMRT-ATL.

With CAMRT delivering provincial services, the need to have a second organization in place (the PEIAMRT & NLAMRT) goes away, hence the move to dissolve. In dissolving and moving provincial service delivery to CAMRT-ATL, the members stand to have the increased provincial services, at a cost of $50, thanks to gains in efficiency and reduction in duplication.

The CAMRT-ATL advisory council will provide advice to CAMRT staff. They will be the “eyes and ears” of CAMRT in the Atlantic Provinces. As such they will assist in identifying trends, issues and needs. For example, they will identify local CPD needs and define local advocacy issues. They will also help communicate back to the membership and implement certain activities as needed. The council will be made up of volunteer members (with adequate representation for the MRT disciplines, and the regions of Atlantic Canada) that will be able to give feedback to staff.

Candidates for the CAMRT-ATL advisory council will be asked to apply through an open call to the full Atlantic membership of the CAMRT. Following applications, the council will be constituted according to pre-determined criteria. Typical criteria for such a council would include adequate representation from the disciplines of medical radiation technology, from across the region, from segments of the membership, etc. The terms of reference for the council will also set terms for serving on the committee.

The primary purpose of the CAMRT-ATL advisory council will be to act as the “eyes and ears” of the CAMRT in the Atlantic Provinces – to relay all that it hears from members and to weigh matters of provincial importance in its advice.

In addition, the new Provincial Manager role for CAMRT-ATL will be created to oversee and manage Atlantic provincial services. This employee will spend the majority of their time dealing specifically with issues that relate to the provinces in Atlantic Canada. The employee will liaise frequently with the Atlantic Advisory Council and the council with the employee to ensure local information is passed on. This employee will be an MRT, based on the ground in one of the Atlantic provinces. Our site ambassador program and the advisory council will greatly assist in the communication flow back and forth with the CAMRT.

The CAMRT Board is geographically representative of the entire country and will continue to include one elected Director to represent each province.

It will depend on the table – but in the current BC example, sometimes it is the CAMRT representative, sometimes it is the BC Provincial Manager, and/or the Chair of the Advisory Council.

No. There is no need for CAMRT-ATL to have an additional AGM. All CAMRT business, including CAMRT-BC, and the proposed CAMRT-ATL, is addressed in one Annual Report and discussed at one AGM. All members of CAMRT are always welcome to attend this AGM, which is always offered in the spring, either in person or via webinar.

These will all be found on the CAMRT’s website, in the annual report. CAMRT-Atlantic items will be clearly defined and transparent, just as they are for CAMRT-BC.

A very detailed description of the beginnings, current situation and future of CAMRT-BC can be found on the CAMRT website https://www.camrt.ca/bc/

If the membership is dissatisfied with this model, they would always be able to move a motion at the CAMRT AGM to reconsider/re-vote on the model within their province.

If this model is adopted in PEI and Newfoundland & Labrador it will trigger the dissolution of the NLAMRT and the PEIAMRT. In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the regulatory colleges will shift to providing little to no association services that aren’t in support of their mandate to protect the public.