In August 2019, the CPATA start-up Board was appointed with responsibility to launch the College, which has been operational as a regulator for six months. Starting with no financial resources, no dedicated staff and working within the confines of a global pandemic, this Board developed CPATA into a fully operational, word-class regulator.
In mid-2022, a new Board will assume responsibility for the governance of CPATA. The College is looking for two patent agents and two trademark agents to serve as Directors on the Board alongside five non-member Directors to be appointed by Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
Licensees who are interested in helping to strengthen CPATA as a modern, risk-based public interest regulator are encouraged to consider running for office.
Serving on CPATA’s Board of Directors – a Unique Opportunity
Licensee members of the Board will have the opportunity to:
- help build a new, world-class, modern model regulator almost from the ground up
- advance the public interest in the intellectual property domain in Canada
- experience another dimension of the profession that is different from the day-to-day practice of being a patent agent or a trademark agent
- understand and influence the role of a unique and independent national regulator
- contribute insightful perspectives derived from their years of practice experience, cultural background and personal qualities
- learn from the expertise of other board members who are seasoned professionals in their domains
“Sitting on the start-up Board for CPATA since 2019 has been a very rewarding experience. Participating in the building of a national regulator from the ground-up is a rare opportunity.”
Jeffrey Astle – Board Member since 2019, Patent Agent with over 30 years of experience. Mr. Astle was Associate General Counsel—Intellectual Property for Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. at its head office in Longueuil, Quebec until his retirement in 2021.
Expectations of Licensee Board Members
Licensee Board members:
- are elected to serve for a period of two to three years
- participate in mostly virtual committee and public meetings approximately every six weeks
- review materials and prepare for meetings in order to contribute meaningfully to discussions
- provide high-level strategic direction but are not involved in managing day-to-day operations
- use their previous knowledge of and niche experience in the profession to complement the perspectives of non-licensee Board members
- are offered fair financial compensation in the form of an honorarium for their time
Nominations and Elections
Nominations are being accepted starting January 15. Any Class 1 or Class 2 licensee, may be nominated as long as they are not suspended or considered ineligible under Board By-law 32. The deadline to nominate is 5:00 p.m. ET February 15, 2022.
Please consult our nominations and elections page for all details.
