Month: June 2025

Dear CIPHI Members,

The Board of Certification is writing to remind you not to share old practicum reports with student PHIs or candidates. Please be aware that all existing practicum reports have been uploaded into the iThenticate plagiarism software database, and all new submissions are checked against this database.

Any candidate report found to meet the criteria for plagiarism will automatically result in a failure of their entire BOC Certification Exam attempt. Furthermore, the candidate will be required to wait one year before being eligible to retake the exam, meaning they will not be permitted to sit the next BOC exam session.

The BOC takes plagiarism very seriously, and the consequences significantly outweigh any perceived benefits of sharing old practicum reports. While sharing practicum reports may be intended as a helpful gesture to students or candidates, it could inadvertently harm their certification process.

The Board of Certification remains committed to enhancing the CIPHI certification process.

Please circulate this email to other non-CIPHI members in your office.

Thank you, and we wish you a wonderful summer!

Sincerely,

George Koutsoulis, B.Sc, B.A.Sc, CPHI(C)
Chair, CIPHI Board of Certification
Email: chair@boc.ciphi.ca

Dear CIPHI Members,

As Certified Public Health Inspectors, our professional designation reflects both our qualifications and our commitment to upholding public health standards across Canada. To maintain consistency and professionalism, we’d like to offer a brief reminder about the correct use of our designation:

Correct designation: CPHI(C)
(Certificate Public Health Inspection (Canada))

We’ve recently seen some common but incorrect variations in use, including CIPHI, CPHI©, C.P.H.I.(C). While understandable, these versions do not reflect the official designation recognized by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors.

Using CPHI(C) correctly helps reinforce our shared professional identity and ensures public recognition of our credentials.

If you’re updating your email signature, business card, or any professional materials, please take a moment to ensure the correct designation is being used. Your attention to this detail helps maintain the credibility and visibility of our profession.

Thank you for your continued dedication and professionalism. If you have any questions about designation use, feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Your CIPHI National Board of Directors

Dear CIPHI Members, The Environmental Health Foundation of Canada (EHFC) 2025 awards nominations have been extended until August 1, 2025!  Don’t pass up this opportunity to nominate a deserved colleague! Learn more about the awards! Nominate a colleague! Celebrate achievements that inspire our profession!  T. Duncan Ellison Safe Water Award Sponsored by the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association $500 This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the promotion of safe drinking water, wastewater management, source water protection, and beach water monitoring.   Clifford E. Van Alstyne Communication Award Supported by the Environmental Health Foundation $1,000 This award recognizes the commitment, involvement, or innovation in the field of environmental public health, with a focus on communication in all its forms within the national environmental public health community.  Dr. R. Neil Lowry Safe Recreational Water Award Sponsored by the Lowry Group $2,500 This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of safer and healthier recreational water (pools, spas, and waterparks) in Canada to protect the public’s health in their community. This could be through public health education and safety, innovative operational guidance, or technical programming.  Environmental Health Leadership Award Sponsored by Hedgerow Software Ltd. $500 This award recognizes a PHI/EHO in any position who has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities to inspire excellence and professional integrity in the field of Environmental Public Health. This person has consistently demonstrated leadership qualities of trust, commitment, and courage, and gives freely of themselves to coach, mentor, and inspire others. They value and actively promote a culture of respect, empathy, openness, and inclusion, while upholding these values for themselves, their colleagues, and clients.  Lilli Ann Zahara Public Health Education Award Supported by the Environmental Health Foundation of Canada $500 This award is presented to a recipient who is recognized for displaying the highest level of dedication, commitment, inspiration, and leadership in the field of environmental health, particularly with a focus on food safety and/or public health education.  Food Safety Award Sponsored by National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) $1,000 This award is presented to a recipient who has made outstanding contributions primarily in the promotion of food safety in Canada. The recipient displays the highest level of dedication, commitment, inspiration, and leadership in the field of environmental health, with a focus on food safety.  WHY NOMINATE? These awards not only recognize individual excellence but also elevate the standards of our profession and inspire the next generation of leaders.  Celebrating our colleagues strengthens our community and promotes pride in the vital work we do. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! We are grateful to the generous individuals and organizations who sponsor these awards.  Their support helps us recognize achievement, promote professional development, and further the mission of the EHFC. Calling All Students! Student Bursary to Attend the CIPHI National Annual Educational Conference (AEC) The 2025 Student Bursary to Attend the CIPHI National Annual Educational Conference (AEC) being hosted in Kelowna, B.C., September 21-24, 2025 is now open! This bursary is an exciting opportunity for students pursuing a career in environmental public health to engage with professionals, expand their knowledge, and build connections in the field. APPLY NOW!

Kind regards, Lena Parker, CPHI(C) Chair, Environmental Health Foundation of Canada /  Fondation canadienne de l’hygiène du milieu  The Charitable Division of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors /  La division caritative de l’Institut canadien des inspecteurs en santé publique www.EHFC.ca

Dear CIPHI members,

I am pleased to announce that the June issue of the Environmental Health Review is now available here.

In this issue, you will find:

• CIPHI branch summaries 
• A technical article on the prevention and remediation of cyanobacteria blooms. 
• A spotlight on student research at Conestoga College 
• Nelson Fok’s research article summaries

Also, a reminder that the EHR has added a quiz that will be included in each issue, providing a simple way to earn 1 professional development hour per quiz. The quiz can be accessed on the table of contents page for each issue. 

A note about access to articles: Free access to all articles in the EHR is included in your CIPHI membership. To get full access to articles, please go to: https://ciphi.ca/--> under professional development –> Environmental Health Review. 

If you ever have trouble accessing articles or have questions please feel free to reach out to me.

Wendy Pons, PhD, CPHI(C)
Editor
Environmental Health Review