Message from the Outgoing Chair
As I reflect on the past three years, I am proud of the critical role Council has played in stewarding CCOA forward, guiding it confidently into its role as a single-mandate regulator.
It has been a long time since the profession has had a dedicated, single-focus regulatory body. This transition has been both significant and complex, but it has been a pleasure to serve as chairperson through such a significant and impactful period. At times, the work has been challenging, but those moments are outweighed by the importance of this transition and the long-term benefits it will have on our profession. I am confident that both the CCOA and its members will continue to adapt and thrive within this renewed emphasis on regulatory accountability.
Central to this transition has been our unwavering commitment to the CCOA mandate: protecting the public interest. That is, and must always remain, the core purpose of the College. Every decision we have made, and every step we have taken, has been grounded in strengthening public trust and safety in chiropractic.
A key priority during my term was achieving financial and organizational stability for CCOA. I am proud to share that we have successfully established a strong and sustainable foundation, positioning the organization for continued success and resilience.
We also developed an ambitious Strategic Plan to bring the College fully into its role as a modern regulator, and to achieve CCOA’s vision of being a leading regulator. I am pleased to report that we are on track for substantial completion of that initial Strategic Plan. Over the coming year, Council will begin work on a new Strategic Plan to continue to progress in the College’s goals and growth. That new plan, which will take effect in July 2027, will ensure the organization continues to evolve as a regulatory body, and in meeting the needs of both the public and the profession.
As I conclude my term, I do so with a deep sense of pride in what we have accomplished together, and with optimism for the future. Thank you again for your service, your dedication, and your shared commitment to excellence.
It has been a true honor to serve as Chair, and I could not step away without expressing my sincere gratitude to each of my Council colleagues for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to the work of Council—your service has been instrumental in guiding the organization through a period of meaningful change and growth.
Council does not operate independently, so at the same time, I cannot thank our operational staff enough, and especially our CEO, Linda Sahli. It has been a great pleasure to work alongside her and her staff, as we laboured through our Strategic Plan. My relationship with both Council and operations has been the most enjoyable of my professional life, and I will miss my time with them when my term ends next year.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to CCOA’s past Chair, Dr. Brad Kane, whose support and mentorship have been invaluable leading up to and throughout my tenure. His leadership helped set a strong foundation, and I am deeply appreciative of his guidance.
As I step down, I am pleased to welcome our incoming Chair, Dr. Chris Nutting. I have every confidence that Council and the organization are in excellent hands. Dr. Nutting’s experience and leadership will ensure continued progress and stability in the years ahead.
Dr. Jason Hollingsworth
Message from the incoming Chair
Dear Colleagues,
It is a tremendous honour to assume the role of Chair of Council for the College of Chiropractors of Alberta.
I thank my fellow Council members for the trust and confidence they have placed in me. Serving alongside such a dedicated group of public and regulated Council members has been both rewarding and inspiring. Their commitment to good governance and the public interest strengthens the College, increases the integrity of the profession, and ensures we remain focused on our mandate.
Trust will be the central focus of my leadership as Chair, as it is the foundation of effective regulation.
Albertans must have confidence that their regulator is effectively fulfilling its mandate to protect the public interest, promote patient safety, and safeguard the integrity of the chiropractic profession. Public trust is essential to everything we do, and it must remain our primary consideration in all decisions.
At the same time, chiropractors must have access to transparent information that shows that regulation is fair, evidence-based, and focused on the public interest. The trust we strive to maintain from chiropractors is not rooted in professional loyalty, but in their understanding that the College is carrying out its mandate to protect the public interest fairly and effectively. This requires the College to have clear expectations, transparent decision-making, and a demonstrated commitment to procedural fairness, accountability, and evidence-based regulation.
One of the most important ways we can demonstrate that fairness is through communication and transparency. We have made meaningful progress in each of these areas, but recognize that there is no finish line when it comes to either. There is more work to do in our goals in these areas, and we commit to maintaining that focus.
To that end, I am pleased to announce one initiative that Council will be implementing immediately. Beginning with our next regular Council meeting in November, Council agendas and supporting reports will be published in advance of meetings. This will provide chiropractors and members of the public with an opportunity to review upcoming matters, and to submit correspondence to Council for their consideration ahead of a meeting. We believe this is an important step toward strengthening openness, engagement, and accountability in our governance processes.
I am particularly proud about this initiative but want to emphasize that it is only the beginning. Council is actively considering additional measures to enhance communication and transparency, and I look forward to sharing more with the profession and the public.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our CEO, Linda Sahli. Ms. Sahli has been instrumental in strengthening the College’s regulatory culture and guiding the organization through a period of significant transformation. I greatly value Ms. Sahli’s partnership and look forward to working closely with her as we continue advancing the College’s vision of being a leading regulator.
Looking forward, however, I would also like to take a moment to recognize and thank our outgoing Chair, Dr. Jason Hollingsworth, for his exceptional leadership and service. I am particularly pleased that he will be remaining on Council for another year, allowing us to continue to benefit from his experience and perspective. Under Dr. Hollingsworth’s leadership, the College has made remarkable progress. Council’s ambitious Strategic Plan is now nearing completion, and many of the goals that once seemed aspirational have become reality. Thanks to the work of those who came before us, the College is well positioned to focus on continuous improvement, innovation, and excellence in regulation.
The past several years have brought much change to both the profession and the regulatory environment. While change is not always easy, it has created a stronger foundation for the future. As Chair, I am committed to building upon that foundation by fostering trust, strengthening transparency, and ensuring that the College continues to regulate in a manner that serves the public with integrity.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Nutting