CPATA relies on professional support in many forms to carry out its mandate effectively, including employees, external service providers, Board and Committee members and more. Together, these individuals contribute specialized skills, oversight, and operational capacity to ensure CPATA’s programs, standards, and services are delivered with consistency, accountability, and excellence. All contributors are remunerated for their professional expertise and work.
Employment
Jobs
CPATA has a small team who works virtually across Canada.
Open Positions
None Available
External Outsourced Professional Support
CPATA relies on as-needed external, professional support to bring subject matter expertise and operational capacity.
Open Positions
Legal Services Providers (ongoing)
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has the overall responsibility to see that CPATA performs the role described in the CPATA Act.
Board of Directors
Directors:
- help continue to build a new, world-class, modern public interest regulator
- act as a fiduciary to CPATA and in accordance with CPATA’s policies and Director Code of Conduct
- contribute insightful perspectives derived from their practice experience, background and personal qualities
- use their experience in the profession to complement the perspectives of non-licensee directors
- provide high-level strategic direction but are not involved in managing day-to-day operations
Open Positions
None Available
The next director election will take place in spring 2027 for one patent agent and one trademark agent director.
Composition
- 5 non-licensee Directors appointed by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
- 4 licensee Directors elected by the professions
Time Commitment, Mandate Duration
- Virtual public meetings approximately every quarter, approximately two in-person meetings per year, and additional meetings as may be required, plus time for review of materials
- Directors are elected/appointed to serve for a 3-year term
Responsibilities
- See the CPATA Act, By-laws and Governance Policies
Sought Expertise
Compensation
- In accordance with Schedule 2 of CPATA’s By-laws.
Contact
For more information, contact jstrawczynski@cpata-cabamc.ca
Governance Committees
These committees assist the Board in fulfilling its governance and fiduciary responsibilities.
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities, including promoting an orderly and effective succession of Directors and committee members. It also oversees Board, committee, and CEO evaluations and develops and recommends approval of the Board’s governance policy framework.
Open Positions
None Available
Composition
Up to 5 members, at least three of whom are Directors.
Non-voting participants:
- CEO/Registrar is an ex officio member
- Chair of the Board
Time Commitment, Mandate Duration
- Virtual meetings 4 – 5 times each year
- 1.5 – 2 hours per meeting plus time for review of materials
Committee appointments are for two year terms, with the possibility of reappointment for up to two further terms of two years, to a maximum of 6 years, subject to special circumstances.
Responsibilities
Sought Expertise
- See Skills Matrix
Compensation
- In accordance with Schedule 2 of CPATA’s By-laws.
Contact
For more information, contact jstrawczynski@cpata-cabamc.ca
Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary obligations and oversight responsibilities to both the public and its licensees, relating to matters of financial planning, the annual audit process, financial reporting, systems of corporate controls and risk management.
Open Positions
None Available
Composition
At least 4 members, at least two of whom must be Directors and up to two of whom may be non-Director appointees.
Non-voting participants:
- CEO/Registrar is an ex officio member
- Chair of the Board
Time Commitment, Mandate Duration
7-8 virtual meetings per year plus time for review of materials
Committee appointments are for two year terms, with the possibility of reappointment for up to two further terms of two years, to a maximum of 6 years, subject to special circumstances.
Responsibilities
Sought Expertise
- See Skills Matrix
Compensation
- In accordance with Schedule 2 of CPATA’s By-laws.
Contact
For more information, contact swalker@cpata-cabamc.ca
Regulatory Committees
CPATA has three regulatory committees which operate with a high level of independence in terms of decision-making, and support CPATA in achieving its public protection mandate.
Registration Committee
The Registration Committee assists the Registrar in administering the College’s licensing requirements. It approves standards for the evaluation of competencies and passing marks for the qualifying examinations when requested by an applicant or a licensee and reviews decisions made by the Registrar under the By-laws.
Open Positions
None Available
Composition
Up to 7 members, the majority of whom are non-licensees, including:
- 1 representative from the Patent Office
- 1 representative from the Office of the Registrar of Trademarks
- 3 licensees
- 2 members of the public
Non-voting participants:
- CEO/Registrar is an ex officio member
- Director of Registration & Education, Deputy Registrar
Time Commitment, Mandate Duration
- 4 or more virtual meetings of 2-3 hours in length each year
- responsible for reviewing materials and preparing for meetings in advance
Committee appointments are for two year terms, with the possibility of reappointment for up to two further terms of two years, to a maximum of 6 years, subject to special circumstances.
Responsibilities
Sought Expertise
- See Skills Matrix
Compensation
- In accordance with Schedule 2 of CPATA’s By-laws.
Contact
For more information, contact jslabodkin@cpata-cabamc.ca
Investigations Committee
The Investigations Committee investigates and resolves or dismisses complaints, educates and provides advice and guidance to licensees where appropriate, and refers matters to the Discipline Committee where there is clear evidence of professional misconduct or incompetence.
Open Positions
None Available
Composition
Between 5-9 members, the majority of whom are non-licensees
Voting members:
- At least one individual who is a patent agent
- At least one individual who is a trademark agent
- At least three individuals who are not licensees
Non-voting participants:
- CEO/Registrar is an ex officio member
- General Counsel, Professional Regulation
Time Commitment, Mandate Duration
- 5 – 6 virtual meetings per year
- 2 – 3 hours per meeting plus time for review of materials
Committee appointments are for two year terms, with the possibility of reappointment for up to two further terms of two years, to a maximum of 6 years, subject to special circumstances.
Responsibilities
Sought Expertise
- See Skills Matrix
Compensation
- In accordance with Schedule 2 of CPATA’s By-laws.
Contact
For more information, contact vrees@cpata-cabamc.ca
Discipline Committee
The Discipline Committee supports CPATA’s public protection mandate by hearing applications referred by the Investigations Committee and adjudicating complaints of professional misconduct and/or incompetence. Appointment to the Discipline Committee does not guarantee serving on a Discipline Panel for a hearing in any particular year.
Open Positions
Deadline: June 15
Submit expressions of interest to: vrees@cpata-cabamc.ca
Composition
At least 5 members, the majority of whom are non-licensees
Applications may be heard by panels of three or five Committee members, in the discretion of the Chair.
Time Commitment, Mandate Duration
- Highly variable depending on the number of complaints referred to hearing each year, and whether the matters are resolved by proposed settlement orproceedto a contested hearing (average 1 – 3 matters for adjudication each year)
Committee appointments are for two year terms, with the possibility of reappointment for up to two further terms of two years, to a maximum of 6 years, subject to special circumstances.
Responsibilities
Sought Expertise
- See Skills Matrix
Compensation
- In accordance with Schedule 2 of CPATA’s By-laws.
Contact
For more information, contact vrees@cpata-cabamc.ca
Licensee Support for Competency, Registration and Qualifying Examinations
CPATA’s mandate depends on working with licensees on a range of matters related to setting standards and entry-to-practice requirements and administering the qualifying examinations. There are both ad-hoc working groups and regularly-constituted working groups. Over 30 licensees with diverse skillsets and backgrounds participate in these groups annually.
Exam Advisory Groups
Exam Advisory Group members are composed of licensees who support the administration of the qualifying examinations each year by drafting questions, validating translations and marking exam submissions.
Skills Exam Advisory Groups (Trademark and Patent)
Open Positions
None Available
Composition
- 8 Class 1 or Class 2 Trademark Agents
- 16 Class 1 or Class 2 Patent Agents
Time Commitment, Mandate Duration
- 50+ hours over 12 months
Responsibilities
- Develop examination content
- Review content translation (*bilingual agents)
- Mark examination submissions
Sought Expertise
Licensees who represent, to the extent feasible, the diversity of agents
Compensation
- $1500 for development
- +$30/exam for marking
- +$500 for bilingual panelists to review translations
Contact
For more information, contact jslabodkin@cpata-cabamc.ca
Licensee Working Groups
CPATA assembles Working Groups on an ad-hoc basis to support specific projects.
Open Positions
None Available