Where BC OTs come together with transparency, advocacy, and shared purpose.
This initiative exists to create space for BC OTs to connect, reflect & stay informed as conversations about provincial professional representation, advocacy and participation continue to unfold.
With the closure of CAOT-BC, many conversations are emerging about what comes next. This space is intentionally focused on how those conversations happen, and who has access to them, before decisions are made about structure or direction.
Why we are listening first
BC’s occupational therapists deserve strong, transparent, and provincially grounded representation that delivers real value, reflects the realities of practice in BC, and advocates effectively for our profession and the communities we serve.
With the closure of CAOT-BC, we have a rare opportunity to pause, listen, and reflect on what a clean slate could look like - and what principles should guide any future provincial professional representation, including being:
member-led
accountable and transparent
advocacy-focused
rooted in the diverse voices of OTs across BC
This initiative is focused on understanding the experiences and needs of BC OTs first, particulalry from OTs who have historically had limited access to professional association spaces. The intent at this stage is not to define a structure, but to ensure that any future decisions are informed by diverse roles, sectors and practice realities.
What we’re building
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At this stage, we’re not building an association. We’re building shared understanding.
This work is focused on gathering perspectives from OTs across BC, especially those who have historically had limited access to professional associations spaces. Themes will be summarized and shared in a way that protects individual privacy and supports transparent, collective sense-making about what meaningful provincial representation could look like.
How We’re Thinking About This Transition
A CMOP-E–informed approach
We’re approaching this transition through an occupational lens, focused on participation: who has access to the conversation, who feels able to engage, and what supports OTs need to do their work sustainably across diverse settings and regions in BC.
Guiding Principles
Participation before structure
Transparency over speed
Respect for diverse roles and practice contexts
Advocacy guided in lived practice, and results
Collective process rather than assumed authority
It’s not about competing structures. It’s about good clinical reasoning applied to professional governance.
Stay Connected
This is an early, exploratory space for occupational therapists in BC who want to stay informed about, and take part in, conversations related to provincial professional representation, advocacy and participation.
Some people may wish to simply receive updates. Others may want to share reflections or perspectives based on their role or experience. Both are welcome here.
Nothing is being decided in this space. The purpose of this initiative is to listen, notice, and share themes in a way that ensures a wide range of voices - including those that have not always been visible in professional association spaces - are able to be heard.
Sign up for occasional email updates, with the option to share brief feedback.
Short, optional form (3–5min) to share priorities related to representation in BC. This is not a vote.
FAQs
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Yes, this initiative is fully independent. This is a separate, grassroots initiative created in response to CAOT closing the BC chapter and shifting to a national-only model. It is not connected to CAOT, CAOT-BC, or any of their leadership.
As things evolve, OTs from all backgrounds — including those with prior association experience — are welcome and encouraged to contribute.
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Yes, this is a separate initiative. Several conversations are emerging across BC. This space is focused on participation, transparency, and gathering perspectives early, especially from OTs who have not always felt represented or able to engage in past association spaces.
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It’s possible. In moments like this, it’s normal for several ideas to surface at once. The priority at this stage is to listen well, reflect themes transparently, and support broad participation so that any future steps are informed by diverse OT roles and practice realities.
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CAOT provides national advocacy, resources, and professional support — but national organizations cannot address province-specific issues like funding models, provincial legislation, regulatory changes, extended health benefits, or local practice needs.
With CAOT-BC closing, BC OTs will no longer have a dedicated provincial voice. A provincial association ensures that BC-specific priorities, policies, and advocacy needs are represented where decisions actually happen — at the provincial level.
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BC occupational therapists, OT students, and those working in OT roles with an OT background across public practice, private practice, community, education, and leadership.
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Filling out the form helps this initiative understand what BC OTs value, what concerns and priorities are showing up across roles, and how people prefer to engage. Responses are summarized as themes (not attributed to individuals) and used to guide transparent updates and next-step conversations.
You can choose your level of involvement — from staying informed to participating more actively — and you’re free to opt out at any time. -
No. Many OTs don’t have extra time. You can stay informed, give input occasionally, or participate more actively if and when it fits.
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If you choose to fill out the form to stay connected, your information will be used only to share updates about this initiative. It will be stored securely, never shared with third parties, and you can remove yourself at any time.
We use Microsoft Forms to collect interest securely, and your information will only be accessed by those directly involved in this initiative.
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Yes, absolutely! Please feel free to share this with other BC OTs who may want to be part of the conversation. Others can access it directly through bcot.ca.
Every new voice helps build momentum and strengthens our ability to shape a meaningful provincial association together.
Who’s behind this?
This initiative is being hosted by Heather Mulroney, a Vancouver Island-based practising OT with experience in professional advocacy, education, and community-based work.
The intent is not to speak on behalf of others, but to create and hold a respectful space where OTs - particularly those who have not always felt safe, visible, or included in professional association conversations - can share perspectives and experiences.
What is shared is held with care, summarized as themes rather than attributed to individuals, and reflected back transparently to help inform conversations about participation, advocacy, and provincial professional representation in BC.