OPFA has established committees, task teams and working groups to ensure the maintenance of a high standard of professional practice by members of the Association, to protect the public interest and to satisfy the requirements of the Professional Foresters Act, 2000. The Statutory Committees as defined in legislation are:

• Executive Committee
• Registration Committee
• Complaints Committee
• Discipline Committee

Standing Committees are optional and report to Council. Council appoints a Chair who has the authority to add members. The Standing Committees are:

• Finance Committee
• Nominations Committee
• Registration Appeal Committee

The following Working Groups report to the Executive Director and help the OPFA achieve the objectives of the OPFA’s strategic plan:

• Annual Conference Working Group
• Awards and Recognition Working Group
• Competency Support Working Group
• Editorial Board
• Forestry Practice Committees (Urban Forestry, Crown Land Forestry and Private Land Forestry)

All Committees and Working Groups function through the volunteer efforts of OPFA members.

A brief outline of the statutory committees follows. Please contact OPFA office for a current list of members on any committee.

Executive

The Committee performs the functions of Council as delegated to it by Council, and as specified in the Act, Regulations and By-laws of the Association. This Committee may exercise the powers of Council with respect to matters that require immediate attention save changes to By-Laws or standards adopted in the Regulations and By-laws of the Association.

Chair: Chris McDonell, R.P.F. (President)

Council Members: Peter Nitschke, R.P.F.(Vice President); Denis Gagnon, R.P.F. (Past President), Malcolm Cockwell, R.P.F. (Elected Councillor)

Public Member: David Goldsmith

Registration

The Committee will ensure the continuance of a high standard of membership in the Association and will ensure the fairness and equality of admission decisions by:

• reviewing applications;
• applying admission qualification criteria;
• instructing the Registrar to issue licences to practise;
• imposing conditions and limitations on licenses where appropriate;
• identifying candidate deficiencies for potential members;
• reconsideration of admission appeals;
• establishing and implementing an examination process for non-university or non-forestry graduate applicants; and
• setting and overseeing examinations

Chair: Christine Leduc, R.P.F.    Vice Chair: Sarah Sullivan, R.P.F.

Members: Ulf Runesson, R.P.F.; Jim McCready, R.P.F.; Frank Knaapen, R.P.F. (Ret.), Andree Morneault, R.P.F., Ildiko Apavaloae, R.P.F., Krish Homagain, R.P.F., Neil McLean, R.P.F.

Council Member: Maegan Ciurko, R.P.F.

Public Member: Sally Krigstin

Complaints

The committee will ensure the maintenance of a high standard of professional practice by members of the Association and protect the public interest by:

• investigating complaints of misconduct, unskilled practice or incapacity against members and former members of
• the Association, received from within or outside the Association;
• referring cases investigated to the Discipline Committee for disciplinary or remedial action; and
• referring cases investigated to the Registrar for action.

Chair: Dave Puttock, R.P.F.

Members: Peter Nitschke, R.P.F., Jeff Barton, R.P.F., Allan Foley, R.P.F., Gordon King, R.P.F., Chris McDonell, R.P.F., Donna Lacey, Associate R.P.F.

Council Member: Brandon Williamson, Associate R.P.F.

Public Members: Daniela Corapi, Douglas Reynolds

Discipline

The Committee will ensure the maintenance of a high standard of professional practice by members of the Association and protect the public interest by:

• hearing, considering and deciding on matters requiring disciplinary action against members and former members of the Association;
• imposing penalties where deemed appropriate;
• directing the Registrar to implement actions/penalties; and
• hearing and deciding appeals against penalties and on applications for reinstatement of licensed privileges.

Chair: Ken Elliott, R.P.F.

Members: Tim Lehman, R.P.F., George Graham, R.P.F., Arben Pustina, R.P.F.

Council Member: Malcolm Cockwell, R.P.F.

Public Members: Daniela Corapi, Douglas Reynolds