Canadian Psychological Association

The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) is the principal national organization representing psychology in Canada. It brings together professionals, researchers, educators, students, and other members of the psychology community around three closely related areas: psychological science, professional practice, and education and training. The association's stated public-interest objectives include improving the health and welfare of Canadians, advancing psychological knowledge, supporting excellence and innovation in research and practice, and providing valuable services to its members. The organization originated in a psychology laboratory at the University of Ottawa in 1938 and was formally organized in 1939. Its early work was closely connected to Canada's contribution to the Second World War. In particular, the association participated in the construction of psychological tests for the Department of National Defence. This wartime role helped establish psychology as an organized scientific and applied field in Canada. The CPA was later incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act in May 1950. The association's work is structured around three directorates. The Science Directorate advocates for stronger public support of psychological research, promotes the work of Canadian researchers, and communicates findings from psychological science to the public and policymakers. The Practice Directorate supports the development and recognition of psychology as a profession and advocates for psychologists and psychological services across Canada's provincial and territorial jurisdictions. The Education Directorate oversees accreditation activities for doctoral and internship programs in professional psychology. CPA membership includes regular members with recognized master's or doctoral-level psychology qualifications who reside in Canada or the United States, as well as Fellows and honorary life members. Fellowship recognizes distinguished contributions to psychology or exceptional service to national or provincial psychological organizations. The association also supports student participation through student affiliates, awards, academic recognitions, conference opportunities, and the Mind Pad newsletter. Publishing is an important part of CPA's professional and scholarly role. In partnership with the American Psychological Association, it publishes the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, the Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, and Canadian Psychology. It also publishes Psynopsis, a quarterly magazine covering professional issues, association activities, psychology-related themes, and the annual convention. Through these publications, the organization serves both academic audiences and practicing psychologists. The CPA holds an annual convention and presents awards recognizing achievement in research, education, professional practice, public and community service, international advancement, humanitarian work, and service to the association. Its awards and fellowship programs are intended to reinforce standards of excellence while highlighting psychology's contribution to Canadian society. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors composed of presidential officers, directors, and executive officers. The association is headquartered in Ottawa and operates as a national professional and scientific organization rather than as a commercial product company. Its influence is exercised through advocacy, accreditation, professional support, research communication, publishing, member services, awards, and public education.

The Canadian Psychological Association traces its origins to 1938, when psychology researchers working in a University of Ottawa laboratory began organizing a national association. The group was formally established in 1939. Its first major institutional purpose was connected to Canada's wartime effort during the Second World War. The association contributed to psychological test construction for the Department of National Defence, reflecting the growing use of psychological knowledge in military selection, assessment, and personnel-related work. The CPA's formation marked an important step in consolidating psychology as a national scientific and applied discipline in Canada. Rather than limiting itself to one professional specialty, the organization developed an encompassing mandate that linked psychological research, education, and practice. This three-part orientation continues to shape its organizational structure. In May 1950, the association was incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act. Incorporation provided a formal legal framework for a national organization whose activities included professional representation, scientific advancement, educational standards, publications, and member services. Over time, the CPA became the principal national organization representing psychologists throughout Canada. The association's modern structure is organized through three directorates. The Science Directorate promotes Canadian psychological research, advocates for public investment in research, supports researchers, and helps explain psychological findings to the broader public. The Practice Directorate focuses on the conditions and recognition of psychological practice, including advocacy on issues affecting psychologists across Canada. The Education Directorate is responsible for accreditation-related work concerning doctoral and internship programs in professional psychology. These functions allow the organization to connect the academic discipline with clinical, applied, and educational practice. Membership has developed into several grades. Regular members generally hold a recognized master's or doctoral qualification in psychology and may reside in Canada or the United States. Fellows are recognized for distinguished contributions to psychological science or practice, or for exceptional service to national or provincial psychology organizations. Honorary life categories recognize long-standing members who meet age and service requirements. Students participate through affiliate structures and receive opportunities for recognition, publication, convention participation, and professional engagement. Publishing has remained central to the CPA's contribution to the discipline. In cooperation with the American Psychological Association, it publishes three scholarly journals: the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, the Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, and Canadian Psychology. The association also publishes Psynopsis, a quarterly magazine focused on professional and organizational subjects, and Mind Pad, a student-oriented online newsletter published twice a year. Together, these publications support research dissemination, professional communication, and student involvement. The CPA also maintains a substantial recognition and convening role. Its annual convention brings together members and psychology communities, while its awards acknowledge lifetime achievement, scientific contribution, education and training, professional practice, international advancement, public and community service, humanitarian work, emerging research, and service to the association. Student awards and academic-excellence certificates extend this recognition to early-career psychologists and psychology students. The association is governed by a Board of Directors that includes presidential officers, directors, and executive officers. Its headquarters are in Ottawa, Ontario. The CPA's continuing role is that of a national professional and scientific body: it represents psychology, supports standards and training, encourages research, communicates evidence, and promotes the contribution of psychological knowledge to the health and welfare of Canadians.

• 1950

  Federal incorporation

  [1]Canadian Psychological Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The CPA was incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act in May 1950.

• 1939

  Formal organization of the association

  [1]Canadian Psychological Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The Canadian Psychological Association was formally organized and began developing a national role for psychological science and practice.

• 1939

  Wartime psychological testing work

  [1]Canadian Psychological Associationen.wikipedia.org

  During the Second World War, the association was heavily involved in constructing psychological tests for Canada's Department of National Defence.

• 1938

  Origins at the University of Ottawa

  [1]Canadian Psychological Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The organization originated in a psychology laboratory at the University of Ottawa, where the foundations for a national psychology association were developed.

A national, member-based professional and scientific association serving Canadian psychology through advocacy, accreditation, publishing, research support, professional development, and public education.

• Academic journal

  Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science

  A scholarly journal published by the CPA in partnership with the American Psychological Association. It provides a Canadian venue for research and analysis in behavioural science and supports the dissemination of psychological findings to academic and professional audiences.

• Academic journal

  Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology

  A research publication associated with the CPA and the American Psychological Association. It focuses on experimental approaches to psychology and contributes to the communication of Canadian and international research in the field.

• Academic journal

  Canadian Psychology

  A CPA journal published in partnership with the American Psychological Association. It serves as a broad scholarly outlet for psychological research, professional discussion, and issues relevant to psychology in Canada.

• Professional magazine

  Psynopsis

  A quarterly CPA magazine containing themed articles, association news, committee updates, information about the annual convention, and other material for psychology professionals and members.

• Student newsletter

  Mind Pad

  An online professional newsletter written and reviewed by student affiliates of the CPA. It is published twice a year and provides a student perspective on psychology, training, and professional development.

• Education and accreditation service

  Psychology program accreditation

  Through its Education Directorate, the CPA oversees accreditation activities for doctoral and internship programs in professional psychology. This function supports national standards for education and supervised professional training.

1. 1Canadian Psychological Associationen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Canadian Psychological Association official websitecpa.ca