Important Registration Announcement - Covid Relief Fee Deferral Plan

Financial Sustainability

We are pleased to share that ACTA has reached a point of financial stability that will carry us until the CCTA opens, if the government proclaims the college in the next year as expected. This is reason to celebrate and to thank those members who answered the call and applied early to the Expedited Route. Due to your support and the success of our Expedited Route to date, ACTA has been able to put many of the foundational building blocks for the college in place. Over the coming months, we will continue to develop the CCTA and prepare to be fully functioning by fall, in anticipation of proclamation. This also allows us to respond to the financial stressors caused by COVID-19 and make it possible for practitioners to continue to apply through the Expedited Route, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic.

Next Steps

The COVID-19 response is the government’s priority now and until at least summer. That being said, we have been speaking to government officials and are advised that the proclamation of our college is still important for this government in 2020. It is of utmost importance, now more than ever, to have all eligible expedited professionals from the 13 different associations under one umbrella association, ACTA. This will ensure a more seamless transition into becoming a college. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and the likelihood of a resulting mental health crisis, a seamless transition to a regulated environment is an important way that we can help. By regulating the professions of Counselling Therapy, Addiction Counselling and Child & Youth Care Counselling, we will significantly increase access to mental health services in the province. 

IMMEDIATE Financial Relief for New Applicants

It is understandable that many of us are feeling financial uncertainty during these times. As of April 22, 2020, until further notice, ACTA will be charging only the registration fee of $100 (plus GST) to applicants. Once accepted, membership fee(s) will be deferred until April 20, 2021, or just prior to the opening of the new college, whichever comes sooner. It is important to note that we anticipate proclamation in fall 2020. However, should circumstances beyond our control push that date into 2021, we would then require the college registration fees in April 2021 to ensure continued financial sustainability.

How You Can Help

If you have not yet applied to ACTA, we hope that delaying the membership fees will make it possible for you to do so immediately. It is imperative to moving forward, that we have all practitioners who qualify for the Expedited Route as members of ACTA as soon as possible. 

If you are already a member of ACTA, please help to spread the word to colleagues, encouraging them to apply and to contact us with any questions.

Thank you!

Thank you again for your commitment to the regulation of our professions. In this time, it is more important than ever to ensure safe, competent, and accessible mental health care to Albertans. Regulation is a way to increase the capacity of regulated mental health providers in our province significantly, by at least 30%, without any added cost to the government. With the support of practitioners and the public, working with the government to realize their own commitment to mental health, we will make this a reality.