About Us

History

The Canadian Radiation Protection Association (CRPA) was officially formed in 1979. Prior to that time, Canadians who were involved in radiation protection were for the most part members of the Health Physics Society (HPS), which is the official body for radiation protection professionals in the United States.

Throughout the late sixties and early seventies the number of Canadians working or interested in some aspect of health physics increased, until there were more than 80 Canadian members in the HPS. This was more than the membership of half of the countries that were members of the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA). With these increasing numbers, it became more and more desirable to have a forum for discussing or establishing a collective viewpoint on Canadian topics in radiological protection.

In late 1977, Richard Osborne sent a questionnaire to the Canadian members of the Health Physics Society asking whether the formation of a Canadian group should be attempted. The questionnaire elicited 119 enthusiastic responses, with the majority favouring a technical/scientific-based society, primarily concerned with radiological protection and organized to be independent of other Societies.

Using these replies as a guide, a small group went ahead with organizing the formation meeting in Toronto, which took place on 27th April 1979. Efforts were made to ensure that participants were gathered from as many provinces as possible and from the many disciplines and activities associated with radiological protection, including industry, government, universities, hospitals, nuclear utilities and R&D laboratories. Ultimately, 89 people approved a draft constitution and indicated their intent to join a newly formed Canadian Radiation Protection Association. Later that year, on October 26th, 1979, with 48 full members the CRPA successfully applied to become an Associate Society of the International Radiation Protection Association.

The CRPA became officially incorporated in 1982.

 

Our Members

CRPA has over 300 members from all areas of industry including hospitals and health care, universities, nuclear power and mining industries, regulatory bodies and all levels of government. 95% of our members are from within Canada and 5% are international, including members from Australia, Europe, and the U.S. 

Membership categories include: 

  • Corporate
  • Associate
  • Full
  • Honorary
  • Retired
  •  Student (full time) 
  • Transitional Student (recently graduated student members)  

Our Objectives

The objective of the Canadian Radiation Protection Association (CRPA) is to advance the development and communication of scientific knowledge and practical means for protecting people and their environment from the harmful effects of radiation consistent with the optimal use of radiation for the benefit of society. To this end, CRPA will:

  1. Further the exchange of scientific and technical information relating to the science and practice of radiation protection,
  2. Encourage research and scientific publications dedicated to the science and practice of radiation protection,
  3. Promote educational opportunities in those disciplines that support the science and practice of radiation protection,
  4. Assist in the development of professional standards in the discipline of radiation protection, and
  5. Support the activities of other societies, associations, and organizations, both national and international, having any activities relevant to the forgoing.

Vision, Mission, and Code of Ethics

VISION

VISION

To be the expert voice of Canadian radiation safety professionals, both nationally and internationally

MISSION

MISSION

We strive to ensure the safe use of radiation by providing scientific knowledge, education, expertise and policy guidance for radiation protection

CODE OF ETHICS

CODE OF ETHICS

The CRPA has adopted the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) Code of Ethics
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President’s Message

Welcome!

I would like to thank all the CRPA members and sponsors who make up this excellent and well-respected organization. Whether you are new to the CRPA or have been a member for many years, we couldn’t do it without you. If you aren’t a member, I’d love to learn what we need to do to convince you of the value of membership.

To me, the CRPA is a very special organization. Our common goal is altruistic: to ensure the safe use of radiation. We exemplify safety culture. Professionals are willing to share advice – even with industry competitors. Experienced members are happy to provide guidance to junior members and even the public. CRPA welcomes regulators as members and regulators have open dialogue with our members and working groups. Our professional development program – delivered by members – has provided training to hundreds of students. We aren’t limited to Canada and have forged relationships with organizations around the world who share our vision.

I have referred to CRPA as an organization, but I believe “community” is more suited. One feature of a community is the more you put in, the more you get out. There is something for everyone at CRPA. Join a committee, earn your CRPA(R) designation, present your hard work at a conference, deliver a professional development talk, or write an article for the CRPA Bulletin.

If you haven’t found a place for you yet, I would like to hear about what more we need to do. I sincerely value your membership and participation, as well as the trust you have placed in me.

Please contact me directly at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.


Yours Truly,

Corie Houldsworth

President, 2024-2025

Board of Directors
2024 - 2025

All of our Board Members are volunteers elected from the CRPA membership. Board Members are elected for a two-year term, with the exception of the President-Elect. The President-Elect serves a three-year term, spending the first year as President-Elect, the second year as President, and the third year as Past President.

PRESIDENT

Corie Houldsworth
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Tara Hargreaves, CRPA(R)
University of Guleph

PAST-PRESIDENT

Jeff Fleming, CRPA(R)
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

SECRETARY

Tanya Vlaskalin, CRPA(R)
Toronto Metropolitan University

TREASURER

Mojgan Soleimani
Abbott Point of Care

Director of Professional Development

Sheila MacMahon
BC Cancer Agency

Director of Communications

Ali Shoushtarian, CRPA(R)
The Ottawa Hospital

Director of Internal Affairs

Jill Robertson
Dalhousie University

Director of External Affairs

Jeff Dovyak, CRPA(R)
Shared Health-Health Sciences Centre

COMMITTEES

To ensure the smooth functioning of CRPA operations, we’ve established several committees, each with a important role within the Association. These committees are entirely composed of volunteers from our membership. If you are interested in volunteering on a committee, please contact the Secretariat.

Committees fall under the following Directorate portfolios:

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Director: Sheila MacMahon

Professional Development Commitee

Role:  Identify, promote, and facilitate professional development opportunities for CRPA members throughout the year, and assist in planning training sessions and workshops during the annual conference.

  • Jeff Fleming, CRPA(R) – Chair
  • Trevor Beniston, CRPA(R)
  • Donata Chaulk, CRPA(R)
  • Joe Cortese, CRPA(R)
  • Tara Hargreaves, CRPA(R)
  • Corie Houldsworth
  • Ed Waller

Registered Radiation Safety Professionals Committee

Role:  Oversee all aspects of the RRSP registration and maintenance process.

  • Jeff Dovyak, CRPA(R) – Chair / Western representative
  • Jean-Pierre Gauvin, CRPA(R) – Québec representative
  • Brandon Hardy, CRPA(R) – Maritimes representative
  • Diana Moscu, CRPA(R) – Ontario representative

Registration Subcommittee

Role:  Assess applications for Recognition and manage all aspects of preparing and administering the CRPA(R) examination.

  • Jeff Dovyak, CRPA(R) – Chair
  • Chris Malcolmson, CRPA(R) – Exam Coordinator
  • Joe Cortese, CRPA(R)
  • Valerie Phelan, CRPA(R)

Maintenance Subcommittee

Role:  Manage the RRSP maintenance points system and assess Credit Summary submissions.

  • Brandon Hardy, CRPA(R) – Chair
  • Tara Hargreaves, CRPA(R)
  • Vani Ranganathan, CRPA(R)

National Conference Committee

Role: Liaises with the Local Organizing Committees and provides assistance, direction and oversight for venue selection, budgeting, and other aspects of the annual conference planning and execution. This ensures continuity from one conference to the next.

  • Francis Arnaldo, CRPA(R) – Chair
  • Ralph Bose, CRPA(R)
  • Jill Robertson
  • Ali Shoushtarian, CRPA(R)

Students and Young Professionals Committee (SYPCOM)

Role:  CRPA acknowledges the vital role that students and young professionals play in sustaining the Association and fostering its growth by promoting membership and providing resources to assist with studies and career development. Additionally, SYPCOM organizes the annual Anthony J. MacKay Student Paper Contest, which takes place in conjunction with the CRPA conference.

  • Matthew Bernacci, CRPA(R) – Chair
  • Daniel Cardenas
  • Andre Ho, CRPA(R)
  • Dave Niven, CRPA(R)
  • Laila Omar-Nazir, CRPA(R)
  • Leah Shuparski-Miller
  • Devin Sullivan, CRPA(R)

COMMUNICATIONS

Director: Ali Shoushtarian, CRPA(R)

Communications Committee

Role:  Responsible for promoting CRPA as the expert voice of Canadian radiation safety professionals and contributes to publicly available information on radiation protection.

  • Ralph Bose, CRPA(R) – Chair
  • Francis Arnaldo, CRPA(R)
  • Matthew Bernacci, CRPA(R)
  • Roger Hugron
  • Daniel Hunton, CRPA(R)
  • Dave Niven, CRPA(R)
  • Laila Omar-Nazir, CRPA(R)
  • David Shen
  • Tanya Vlaskalin, CRPA(R)

Social Media Subcommittee

Role:  Responsible for publication of messages on CRPA’s social media accounts – Facebook, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).

  • Laila Omar-Nazir, CRPA(R) – Chair
  • Francis Arnaldo, CRPA(R)
  • Matthew Bernacci, CRPA(R)
  • Dave Niven, CRPA(R)


Bulletin Editorial Board

Role:  Responsible for CRPA’s Bulletin, published digitally with a printed edition distributed to delegates at the annual conference. The Bulletin website is professionally managed by 3c Publications.

  • Dave Niven, CRPA(R) – Chief Editor
  • Grant Cubbon – Deputy Editor
  • Alicia Douglas
 
  • Michelle Boulton, 3c Publications – Bulletin Publisher
  • Sue Singer – CRPA Secretariat
 

Translation Committee

Role:  Responsible for translating material from English to French and from French to English, in accordance with the CRPA Language Policy.

  • Carole Savoie – Chair
  • Roger Hugron – Reviewer
  • Pierre Lavoie, CRPA(R)
  • Stéphane Mercure, CRPA(R)
  • Valérie Phelan, CRPA(R)
  • Manon Rouleau
  • Leah Shuparski-Miller

INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Director: Jill Robertson

Membership Committee

Role:  Promote membership with the CRPA and assess membership applications against established criteria.

  • Joe Cortese, CRPA(R) – Chair
  • Ralph Bose, CRPA(R)

Recruitment Subcommittee

Role:  Identify opportunities to promote and advertise membership with the CRPA and recruit new members.

  • Ralph Bose, CRPA(R) – Chair
  • Clauzi Guerini, CRPA(R)
  • Daniel Lapkoff, CRPA(R)
  • Nicky Nivi

Nominations Committee

Role:  Identify candidates for each Board of Director position to be filled during the annual elections.

  • Joe Cortese, CRPA(R) – Chair
  • Debbie Frattinger, CRPA(R)
  • Gary Hughes

Archives

Role:  The CRPA Archivist is responsible for chronicling and maintaining the ongoing history of the CRPA by preserving memorabilia and digitizing and storing relevant documents and material.

  • Sunil Choubal – Archivist

NORM Working Group

Role:  Identify opportunities to enhance awareness of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) in industry and government, and provide a forum for communication and information sharing to promote NORM safety.

  • Jenna Smith-Windsor – Chair
  • Sajjad Aftabi, CRPA(R)
  • Curtis Caldwell
  • Andrew Crocker
  • Cody Cuthill
  • Marc Desrosiers
  • Jeff Fleming, CRPA(R)
  • Debbie Frattinger, CRPA(R)
  • Colleen Rodgerson 
  • Jason Sadowski 
  • Devin Sullivan, CRPA(R)
  • Athena Wang, CRPA(R) 

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Director: Jeff Dovyak, CRPA(R)

International Liaison Committee

Role:  Maintain or create bi-directional relationships with international associations with similar goals or objectives to those of the CRPA.

  • Michèle Légaré – Chair
  • Mika Bathurst – Admin
  • Doug Chambers
  • Chris Clement
  • Addie Ivanova
  • Scott Nichelson
  • Anne-Marie Nicol
  • Dave Niven, CRPA(R)
  • Roxana Ralea, CRPA(R)
  • Manon Rouleau
  • Leah Shuparski-Miller

Working Groups

CRPA/CARST:  Ali Shoushtarian, CRPA(R) – Chair

Role: Provide a forum for communication, information sharing and safety culture with stakeholders in the Radon community.  The Group consists of representation from CRPA and the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST).

C3 (CRPA/CNSC/COMP):  Tara Hargreaves, CRPA(R) – Chair

Role:  Provide a forum for communication, information sharing and safety culture for stakeholders in the regulated Class II nuclear community.  The Group consists of representation from CRPA, the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

CRPA/CNSC:  Jeff Dovyak, CRPA(R) – Chair

Role:  Provide a forum for communication and information sharing regarding items of mutual interest between CRPA and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).