AUGUST 23, 2021
Monthly News & Updates
COVID-19 ALERT!
Government of Ontario updates COVID-19 restrictions. Learn more about how it might affect you.

Meet Nancy Leris, CKO's new Registrar & CEO

Nancy Leris’s professional experience reflects her lifelong commitment to advancing and protecting the public interest. Her recent appointment as the CKO’s new Registrar and CEO provides her with greater scope for fulfilling that commitment.

With more than a decade of experience in administrative and regulatory roles at the College, she has made substantial, noteworthy contributions to the College and Council, while aiding committee members and staff succeed in achieving the CKO’s public interest mandate and goals.
“This is what gives me the greatest professional and personal satisfaction,” Leris said. “Inspiring my colleagues to do the same is part of the focus I carry with me each day.”

In her previous role as Director of Operations and Finance, Leris championed a productive organizational culture focused on continuous quality improvement and efficiency of streamlined administrative processes.

She simultaneously maintained regular consultations with the College’s stakeholders, including government representatives and professional associations, and formed strategic alliances with other regulators to improve overall regulatory efficiency and consistency – always with the goal of advancing the public interest.

One of the many challenges facing today’s regulatory bodies is how to acknowledge and actively include members of our diverse society in the critical decision-making aspects of the regulatory process.
 
As one of the first racialized women CEOs of an Ontario health profession regulatory body, Leris also sees making the regulatory workplace as diverse and inclusive as possible a paramount objective.
 
“As CKO Registrar and CEO, I will work towards taking appropriate action, wherever and whenever possible, to promote and expand awareness of diversity amongst our Council and committee members and within the College’s professional and administrative team,” she said. “My personal commitment is to lead a regulatory body that is representative of the wider public it serves and protects.” 
 
In her new leadership role, Leris is aware that she faces another complex and critical challenge: modernizing the College’s governance structure and processes. She states that she is fully prepared and committed to addressing this challenge head on. 
 
As for the long term, Leris states that her vision for the College will be founded on continuous improvement based on well-researched and well-considered strategic planning.
 
“Striving to fulfill the College’s mandate in a rapidly changing environment, along with identifying and building on new opportunities, is something that keeps me inspired to work hard and creatively,” Leris said. “Not just for the present, but for creating a better future for healthcare and healthcare consumers in Ontario.”
By-law 10: Amendments And Consultation
To demonstrate an increased transparency in regulatory operations, the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario has commenced the process of reviewing its regulatory practices.

A critical action, in response to the provincial government’s directive, involved the approval of draft amendments to By-law 10. These revisions would impact the election of Council members, with respect to the overall qualification process.
Click here to learn more the proposed amendments, and please share your feedback here.
Rescheduled September Entry-to-Practice Exam

The upcoming Fall sitting for the College’s entry-to-practice exam is currently slated for Saturday, September 18, 2021.

Registration has now closed. Any applicants who were originally scheduled to take the Spring 2021 exam will now write on the new, scheduled date.

Applicants who have questions are encouraged to visit our website, for details pertaining to testing accommodations, deferrals, withdrawals, and much more.
Certificate of Authorization Renewal

All registrants associated with the College who possess a certificate of authorization must remember to have it renewed.

Each year, the renewal period runs from July 1 to August 31.
Renewing can be done by first completing the requisite form, and then mailing it to the College. A $400 renewal fee is required.

To learn more about the renewal process for the certificate of authorization, visit our website.
Annual Membership
Renewal

CKO registrants must remember that annual renewals are due on August 31.

A mandatory fee of $650 is attached to the membership renewal, and applicable late fees may apply. For the general and inactive classes, a late fee of $100 and $50 respectively will apply.
More information on all applicable College fees can be found here.

Registrants are also encouraged to have their contact information up-to-date and may be required to provide supplemental information on the authorization process.

To determine what information is required from your end, or if you need to contact the College regarding any changes in contact information, visit our website.
Engaging with Scope of Practice Under Step Three of Reopening
With Ontario’s Step Three in existence for a month, registered kinesiologists must remain cognizant of current and supplemental guidance for safe practice.

Under Step Three, access to indoor spaces has been expanded, allowing for larger gatherings of individuals. Restrictions, such as the mandating of masks, remain in place where applicable.
While there is no change to the College’s scope of practice, continued adherence to provided guidelines, such as COVID-19 screening and hand hygiene, must be followed.

To create a safe environment for all in-person services, the anticipated benefits must clearly outweigh the potential risks for infection to each party. Services can safely proceed virtually when possible, but added guidelines must now be followed for indoor spaces.

As directed by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, and the Ontario Ministry of Health, indoor fitness classes and personal training may resume. However, activity is only permitted if it is under 50% of the available capacity of the indoor space, and if it allows for a two-meter distance between every individual present.

Registrants must also now record the name and contact information of every member of the public who receives the requisite services. These records should be retained for a one-month period.

All registered kinesiologists should continue to follow these parameters provided by the College, the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and the Ministry of Health.

A comprehensive list of our guidelines, in regards to returning to practice, can be found here.
College of Kinesiologists of Ontario

160 Bloor Street East, Suite 1402
Toronto ON, M4W 1B9

(416) 961-7000 | F (416) 961-7009 | E info@coko.ca