The Continuing Professional Competencies (CPC) program
The CPC program began January 1, 2010 for all regular members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI). Prior to this, environmental public health professionals (EPHPs) were not required to demonstrate continued competency following certification. As such, any CPHI(C) holder remained certified regardless of whether or not they still practiced in the field or pursued educational or professional development.
CIPHI developed the CPC program to facilitate the professional recognition of CPHI(C) holders, to keep them abreast of continuing developments in the field of environmental public health, and to support their continued professional development. The Council of Professional Experience (CoPE) was founded in 2010 to administer the program.
The CPC program is a tool incorporated by CIPHI to ensure all EPHPs incorporate continuing professional development while active in the environmental public health field. In addition, the CPC program:
1
Provides certified EPHPs protection against challenges to personal competence
2
Provides employers the opportunity to assess staff competencies and help focus professional development
3
Supports EPHPs in achieving and maintaining competencies essential to their role
4
Aligns with the CPHI(C) certification, enhancing the recognized status of EPHPs as specialized professionals
CPC program overview
CPC Professional
Development (PD) Model
The PD Model specifies the annual
professional development hours (PDHs)
required of regular CIPHI members
Discipline-Specific
Competencies
The essential knowledge, skills, and abilities
necessary for success in the role of an EPHP
beyond CPHI(C) certification
Professional development hours (PDHs)
Regular CIPHI members are required to obtain PDHs throughout the calendar year. It is their responsibility to review CIPHI’s professional development requirements each year.
Learning plans
The CPC program is designed to encourage EPHPs to critically reflect on their practice and to evaluate their capacity against the discipline-specific competencies. Through completion of a learning plan, EPHPs can reflect on the learning activities in which they take part. In this way, knowledge developed through learning activities can be used in everyday practice.
The Council of Professional Experience (CoPE)
Founded in 2010, the Council of Professional Experience (CoPE) administers the Continuing Professional Competencies (CPC) program. CoPE is composed of members appointed through consultation with the CIPHI branches and the National Executive Committee.
You can contact CoPE by emailing cope@ciphi.ca
Regulations Governing the Council of Professional Experience
Karen Hann
Chair
chair@cope.ciphi.caKaren Hann is an Environmental Health Officer based in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, with a deep passion for public health. A dedicated member of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) since 2004 and a member of the Council on Professional Education (CoPE) since 2019, Karen is committed to advancing the field of Environmental Public Health. She values CIPHI for its representation of Environmental Public Health Professionals and its role in driving the evolution of the profession. Through her work with CoPE, Karen contributes to the development of core competencies that guide the future of public health practice.
One of the career highlights that stands out for Karen is her time working at the stunning Gros Morne National Park, where she had the opportunity to apply her expertise in a truly unique and inspiring environment.
Outside of work, Karen is a dedicated hockey mom and enjoys staying active through activities like volleyball, biking, and exploring the outdoors. She believes in maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, often finding ways to integrate fitness and adventure into her routine. A passionate traveler, Karen embraces new experiences and loves discovering different cultures. Whether she’s testing her culinary skills, hiking, fishing, or hunting, Karen stays engaged with her surroundings while remaining focused on her commitment to public health.
Stacey Sowa
Vice Chair
stacey.sowa@islandhealth.caStacey became a CIPHI member in 2011 and joined CoPE in 2018. She is currently working in Nanaimo, British Columbia as the Regional Drinking Water Coordinator with Island Health. Stacey began her career with the First Nations Inuit Health Branch, flying into small, remote communities in northern Manitoba, followed by a year with Manitoba Health. She joined the council to help build the profession and contribute to CIPHI in a meaningful way.
Stacey has been working with CIPHI in one capacity or another since 2012. Prior to joining CoPE, she held a position as a Councillor with the BC Branch and Stacey recently retired from her position as the BC Page Editor after 9 years of publications. She values both her branch and CIPHI for serving as a unified voice for environmental public health professionals (EPHPs) and the work being done to elevate the profession.
After a long day of drowning in drought and other water related crises, Stacey loves to have a classic cocktail and dream about the -40℃ winters in her home province, Manitoba.
Education: Bsc in Microbiology; BTech in Environmental Health
Craig Nowakowski
BC/YT
Craig.Nowakowski@islandhealth.caCraig Nowakowski is the Supervisor for the Environmental Public Health Program for Island Health on Vancouver Island. Craig Has been a CIPHI member since 1993 and started his career in Winnipeg, moving on to Calgary, Yellowknife and now Victoria.
Craig has been involved with CIPHI in different roles over his career. He has been a Zone Councilor, BOC Examiner and was involved in the early days of CIPHI Professional Development as a member of the Core Competency Steering Committee in 2005, and the first version of CoPE in 2010.
When not working, Craig can be found fly fishing, running half marathons or making fresh pasta.
Education: BTech in Environmental Health, Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
Jennifer Guth
AB/NWT/NU
cope@ciphi.ab.caA public health inspector in Edmonton, Alberta, Jennifer has been a CIPHI member since 2015, valuing the organization as integral to maintaining the reputation of the environmental public health profession. Jennifer joined CoPE in 2021 to help improve professional development opportunities.
In the field, Jennifer has dealt with a month straight of rural boil water orders and a badger in a well shed, while, outside of work, as a former lifeguard she is a devoted swimmer.
Education: BSc in each of Science, Education, and Environmental Health; university certificate in Infection Prevention and Control; Master in Educational Technology
Alden Georget
SK
alden.georget@saskhealthauthority.caAlden has been working for the Sask Health Authority in Prince Albert for over 19 years. He’s originally from Prince Albert, so it’s only natural that he originally wanted to become a marine biologist, but that didn’t happen. Luckily, he discovered that Public Health Inspection was a viable option, which was realized at Concordia in 2005. He’s passionate about public education and reinforcing healthier practices throughout society. Networking and committee work are also very important to him as he’s also a councillor with CIPHI Sask Branch.
Dr. Wendy Pons
ON
wpons@conestogac.on.caA Professor in the Bachelor of Environmental Health at Conestoga College, Wendy has been a CIPHI member for over 15 years. She recognizes the community of practice that supports its members and enhances knowledge. She currently sits on the advisory board for the NCCEH and is the editor of the Environmental Health Review. She joined CoPE in 2022 to contribute further to the profession and to build new connections.
Wendy's career highlights include educating future EPHPs at Toronto Metropolitan University and Conestoga and working in the Region of Peel in various roles (PHI, health promoter, research and policy analyst, and supervisor of the vector-borne team).
In her spare time, she loves traveling with her husband and two daughters. Ask her a thing or two about horses and she will be sure to impress you!
Education: Public health undergraduate degree (BASc, TMU); Masters of Environmental Science and Management (MASc, TMU); Doctorate in Epidemiology (PhD, University of Guelph)
Karen Edgar
NS/PEI
ns.pe@cope.ciphi.caAn environmental health officer with the PEI Department of Health & Wellness in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Karen joined CIPHI in 2013, and CoPE in 2020. She sees the CPC program and its emphasis on continuing professional development as a key component of CIPHI membership, and joined the council to meet other environmental public health professionals from across Canada.
Career highlights include mentoring an environmental health officer candidate in the summer of 2019, and working as an environmental health officer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Karen has a dog, Toby, who is the size of a small horse. It almost won the Kentucky Derby (unconfirmed fact).
Education: BTech in Environmental Health (BCIT); Diploma of Technology in Food Technology (BCIT); BSc in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (SFU)
Jessica Crawley
NB/QC
jessica.nbcope@gmail.comA Public Health Inspector with many years of experience, started in Ontario then moved back to NB where she has been working for the Department of Justice and Public Safety. As a bilingual Public Health Inspector she is excited to have joined CoPE in 2022 so she can further contribute to CIPHI by getting more involved with the organization.
Jessica enjoys family movie night outdoors during the summer and going on family vacation to Disney World.
Education: B.Tech in Environmental Health
Garth Gosselin
National Representative
national.rep@cope.ciphi.caGarth is a manager in the Central Zone of Alberta Health Services. Garth has been a CIPHI member since 1995 and joined CoPE in 2022.
Garth has been involved with CIPHI at the provincial and national level in the past including as a zone councilor, organizing provincial conferences, assisting with national conferences, and seven years on the Board of Certification including a term as chair. Garth is a firm believer that we all need to do our part to build and support the organization and the profession and is looking forward to a new chapter with CoPE.
Garth is married with three adult children. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping and just generally being outdoors and busy.
Education BASc Toronto Metropolitan University
Khatija Essaji
NL
khatija.essaji@gmail.comWorking as an environmental health officer with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Khatija works on the Northern Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland, and the north coast of Labrador.
Khatija has been a member of CIPHI since 2016, and a member of CoPE since 2023. As the only EHO working in a rural office, Khatija wanted to get involved with CoPE to connect with other health inspectors across the country and contribute to the development of the profession.
Khatija enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and cooking up a good scoff!
Chantal Stevens
ON
cstevens@peterboroughpublichealth.caA Public Health Inspector with Peterborough Public Health, Chantal joined CIPHI in 2014. She has joined CoPE in 2024 as she is passionate about professional development, continuing education, and learning from other EPHPs.
Career highlights include working for the Ontario Parks Public Health Program, the PEI Department of Health and Wellness, and returning to work in her home community of Peterborough, Ontario.
Chantal spends her spare time painting, learning photography, walking beaches and spoiling her dog Murphy.
Education: Bachelor of Applied Science – Public Health (Ryerson University- now Toronto Metropolitan University)
Amandeep Singh
MB
aman.singh@gov.mb.caA Public Health Inspector with the Government of Manitoba, Aman is new to the field and got certified in October 2023. He joined CoPE in 2024 to help contribute his time and efforts towards a team that ensures professional development and continuing education.
Aman is passionate about public health as he believes he is a part of a team that ensures prevention of disease, reducing the burden on the Canadian Health Care system.
Aman enjoys spending time with his friends and family, learning new things, watching sitcoms but also love being outdoors as much as possible and enjoy the small but important moments in life.
Education: Bsc in Biotechnology; BHsc Public Health