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CBC
25-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Three-strikes rule for psychologist licensing exam in Alberta faces opposition
Changes to Alberta's psychologist licensing rules are sparking debate, as hundreds petition to scrap a three-strikes policy for the professional exam. In 2023, the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) capped the number of attempts allowed on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Now, hundreds have signed a petition asking it to undo the change, calling it overly punitive — particularly for those from marginalized backgrounds. Provisional psychologists in Alberta have three attempts to pass the exam within five years of their initial registration. The CAP policy permits a fourth attempt in some extenuating circumstances, by request and at its discretion. Brenda Desjarlais's hopes of becoming a psychologist were dashed after using her last attempt in December. "They're messing with people's careers and their lives by putting so much weight on one exam," Desjarlais said in an interview with CBC. Desjarlais is a registered counselling therapist in Red Deer, Alta., and a member of Paul First Nation. She said she failed the exam once before the cap was introduced, and three more times since 2023 amidst a flurry of extenuating circumstances, including financial barriers, the death of multiple family members, and caregiving duties for her granddaughter who was experiencing severe mental health issues. Desjarlais estimates she has spent close to $8,000 over the years in exam fees and study materials. She said needing to take the exam before her provisional status expired was a significant source of anxiety for her during that time. CBC obtained a copy of the letter CAP had sent Dejarlais. It said that because the maximum number of attempts had been used, she is "not eligible to re-apply for registration as a provisional psychologist in the future." In Ontario, candidates have four attempts in a 12-month period — a rule the petition asks CAP to replicate. That is also the standard used by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. Dr. Richard Spelliscy, the CEO of the college, told CBC the new rules protect the public. "Individuals who write that exam multiple times over a span of several years, we do not believe that that instills confidence in the public that those individuals are able to provide safe and effective services," Spelliscy said. Dr. Troy Janzen, deputy registrar for CAP, said it is a small group of people impacted — their estimate over an eight-year period is that 1.6 per cent of people fail a fourth time. A spokesperson for the provincial Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services said in a statement that health profession regulatory colleges, such as the College of Alberta Psychologists, have the authority to govern their professions in a way that serves the public interest. Representation But others argue it's more a measure of test-taking skills than real life practice — and those rules disproportionately impact under-represented groups. "I think it's very clear and obvious that the EPPP, like most other things in the discipline of psychology, creates kind of a homogenized group of people who work in the field," Dr. Suzanne Stewart, a psychologist at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto said. Stewart, who is Indigenous, said that the exam itself is biased and lacks cultural sensitivity. She added that the time and financial resources needed to take the test pose a further barrier. A 2018 report from a Canadian Psychological Association estimated there were fewer than 12 Indigenous psychologists practising or teaching in Canada. Desjarlais was hoping to add to those numbers, and serve her community as a fully registered psychologist. She said as a counselling therapist she cannot bill First Nations people who don't have private insurance. "I feel sad," she said. "I can't meet the needs of the more marginalized First Nations people." A cooling-off period Spelliscy said the college amended its policy further earlier this year, allowing a reapplication after a five-year cooling-off period and additional education, such as a doctorate degree. That update is not listed publicly and resources and correspondence from the association in recent months make no mention of it. Janzen said that change may not be well known to all of the individuals who are impacted yet — but there is a plan to communicate to them individually. A CAP spokesperson told CBC in an email that the change will come into effect in September 2025 — and the bylaws will be posted at that point in time.
CBC
29-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
First Nations warn Alberta's data centre approach won't attract big tech companies
The chiefs of four First Nations in Alberta say they're eager to take part in the province's nascent data centre industry, but argue the province is taking the wrong approach to attract large-scale tech players. The chiefs of the Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation outlined their concerns this week in an open letter to Premier Danielle Smith and members of her government. "There are shovel-ready proposals backed by major industry players aligned with government objectives that will be left stranded without a change in proposed policy," the chiefs wrote. "Alberta should be a premier destination for hyperscale data centre investment. But strengths only matter if we act on them. Right now, Alberta's ability to execute and deliver on its promise is in question." Data centres are huge facilities housing the computing firepower needed for artificial intelligence and other applications. It can take an enormous amount of power to run and cool them. The chiefs say the amount of power the Alberta Electric System Operator has allotted to new projects falls short. The Alberta Electric System Operator said earlier this month that it has received requests from 29 proposed data centre projects representing more than 16,000 megawatts — more than 11 times the City of Edmonton's load. It said it will allow the connection of up to 1,200 megawatts of large load projects between now and 2028. "Alberta has never seen this level and volume of load connection requests," said AESO CEO Aaron Engen. "As the system operator, we are responsible for ensuring that new project connections do not compromise grid reliability. Because connecting all large loads seeking access would impair grid reliability, we established a limit that preserves system integrity while enabling timely data centre development in Alberta." The Alberta government has set a goal of attracting $100 billion in data centre investment over five years. Accommodating for hyperscalers But the chiefs wrote that the limit sends the wrong signal to tech powerhouses like Meta and Amazon. "The hyperscalers 'don't build small.' They think in gigawatts, because their global operations require that scale," they wrote. "Under the current proposal, not even one such flagship project may be fully realized here without years of delay, since 1,200 megawatts total divided among many projects signals that Alberta isn't prepared to accommodate a true hyperscaler's needs. "This sends an unintended but clear message to investors that Alberta's actions do not match its ambitions." The Alberta government supports the "balanced approach" the AESO is taking, said the press secretary for Affordability and Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf. "Alberta aims to be the destination of choice for AI data centres in North America," Ashli Barrett said in a written statement. "At the same time, our government will always put the well-being of Albertans first and ensure data centre projects will not compromise the affordability or reliability of the electricity that millions of Albertans, First Nations, and our local industries depend on." Barrett added the 1,200-megawatt limit is short-term and should not be thought of as a cap. "It will enable data centre projects in advanced stages of planning and development to get started, while government works to develop a long-term framework for data centres, which will provide additional pathways for data centres projects to meet their power needs, including encouraging them to bring their own power." Chief Tony Alexis of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation northwest of Edmonton said his community is looking at taking an equity stake in a project, and discussions are in the early stages. He said First Nations want more than to be consulted — they are ready to invest. "Our nations have been growing. We've got young populations and this industry can bring some real training, some jobs, some long-term prosperity for our community," Alexis said in an interview.
Toronto Star
27-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
First Nations say Alberta data centre approach won't attract big tech players
CALGARY - The chiefs of four First Nations in Alberta say they're eager to take part in the province's nascent data centre industry, but the province is taking the wrong approach to attract large-scale tech players. The chiefs of the Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation outlined their concerns in an open letter to Premier Danielle Smith and members of her government.
Winnipeg Free Press
27-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
First Nations say Alberta data centre approach won't attract big tech players
CALGARY – The chiefs of four First Nations in Alberta say they're eager to take part in the province's nascent data centre industry, but the province is taking the wrong approach to attract large-scale tech players. The chiefs of the Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation outlined their concerns in an open letter to Premier Danielle Smith and members of her government. Data centres are huge facilities housing the computing firepower needed for artificial intelligence and other applications. They take an enormous amount of power to run and cool them. The Alberta Electric System Operator said earlier this month that it has received requests from 29 proposed data centre projects representing more than 16,000 megawatts — more than 11 times the City of Edmonton's load. It said it will allow the connection of up to 1,200 megawatts of large load projects between now and 2028 to ensure the reliability of Alberta's grid. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. The chiefs wrote that companies like Meta or Amazon don't build small, and the limit sends a signal that Alberta is not ready to meet those companies' needs or see a flagship project come to fruition. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First Nations say Alberta data centre approach won't attract big tech players
CALGARY — The chiefs of four First Nations in Alberta say they're eager to take part in the province's nascent data centre industry, but the province is taking the wrong approach to attract large-scale tech players. The chiefs of the Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation outlined their concerns in an open letter to Premier Danielle Smith and members of her government. Data centres are huge facilities housing the computing firepower needed for artificial intelligence and other applications. They take an enormous amount of power to run and cool them. The Alberta Electric System Operator said earlier this month that it has received requests from 29 proposed data centre projects representing more than 16,000 megawatts — more than 11 times the City of Edmonton's load. It said it will allow the connection of up to 1,200 megawatts of large load projects between now and 2028 to ensure the reliability of Alberta's grid. The chiefs wrote that companies like Meta or Amazon don't build small, and the limit sends a signal that Alberta is not ready to meet those companies' needs or see a flagship project come to fruition. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025. Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
