Category: Notices

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,

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

Hello Everyone,

The National Educational Conference is being held this year on September 21-24th. It’s time to acknowledge our colleagues who have shown their dedication to the profession and to CIPHI. If you know someone who is deserving of recognition for their tireless efforts in Public Health, nominate them now. The closing date for accepting nominations is July 21 2025.

Be sure to get your nominations in before its too late. A nomination form is attached, but descriptions, details, and nomination forms for all the National Awards are also available at https://ciphi.ca/membership/our-awards/

Alex Cross Award

This award is issued to a member for displaying the highest standards of professional practice during the past year.

Alexander Officer Award

This award is issued to an organization or agency for outstanding and meritorious achievements in the field of public or environmental health.

Environmental Health Review Award

This award is issued to a member, non-member, individual, or organization for excellence in presenting an environmental health issue or topic to the public.

President’s Award

This award is issued to a former member of the NEC, BOC, CoPE, or EHFC, who has demonstrated outstanding service and commitment to CIPHI while in office.

Honorary Membership Award

This award is issued to a person who is not eligible for regular, retired or life CIPHI membership, and recognizes outstanding support, contribution, or service to CIPHI or environmental public health professionals in Canada in general.

Life Membership Award

This award is issued to a CIPHI member for outstanding service to the institute, to their profession, and/or to their community over an extended period of time.

Recognition of 50-year members

Being a member of any organization for 50 years is not only an achievement but most certainly an important milestone to be recognized. Those who have done so with CIPHI not only express support for their profession but also show their dedication to the institute.

Recognizing the importance of these members and their contributions to CIPHI over the years is more than well deserved.

The Charlie Young Award (NEW Award)

This award is issued to a CIPHI member in good standing for outstanding commitment to and excellence in mentoring colleagues and students.

National Awards Nomination Form

Please send nominations and supporting documents to the Awards Nomination Committee via the National Office.

Thank you

Kiran Sidhu
National Awards Committee Chair

Dear Colleagues, The Environmental Health Foundation of Canada (EHFC) Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that the 2025 awards are now open!  Each year, the EHFC proudly recognizes outstanding individuals, organizations, and initiatives that demonstrate leadership, innovation and excellence in the field of Environmental Public Health. These awards celebrate the contributions that advance and promote Environmental Public Health in communities across Canada. Detailed award descriptions and the nomination form can be found here. A special thank you to our partners and donors who make it possible to honor the contributions that inspire a collective commitment to excellence in the field of Environmental Public Health. T. Duncan Ellison Safe Water Award sponsored by the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association Clifford E. Van Alstyne Communication Award supported by EHFC Dr. R. Neil Lowry Safe Recreational Water Award sponsored by the Lowry Group Environmental Health Leadership Award sponsored by Hedgerow Software Lilli Ann Zahara Public Health Education Award supported by EHFC Food Safety Award sponsored by NSF Award nominations close June 15, 2025. Continuing Education Bursary – For those looking to pursue further education, the 2025 Continuing Education Bursary is also open.  The application can be found here. Bursary applications close June 15, 2025. For additional information or questions please email ehfcchair@gmail.com. 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 members,

The CIPHI National Advocacy Committee is pleased to share the updated CIPHI career pamphlet that includes information on:

• The Institute;
• The role of Environmental Public Health Professionals;
• How to obtain your Certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada);
• List of the accredited academic institutions across Canada;
• Job market; 
• Where to learn more (ciphi.ca).

The pamphlet was designed for professional printing but an inhouse printing version is provided as well for your convenience. A French copy will be available late fall and both versions will be made available on the CIPHI website.

Sincerely,

CIPHI National Advocacy Committee
advocacy@ciphi.ca