Here we are again, not quite 6 months on, and the CMRITO is yet again attempting to place undue financial burden on members, particularly during a time of rising living costs and economic uncertainty. Outlined below is a summary of the new proposal, followed by questions we need to be asking the CMRITO Finance and Audit Committee. 

Unreasonable Financial Burden
The proposed increases—raising the registration fee from $470 to $545 in 2025, then to $615 in 2026, and finally to $643 in 2027—represent a cumulative increase of over 36% within three years. Additionally, the application fee increase from $100 to $125 adds to the financial strain.

These increases far exceed inflation rates and disproportionately impact members who already face stagnant wages, increased taxation, and cost-of-living pressures.

Lack of Justification and Transparency
At a special meeting held on October 9, 2024, Council voted to pause the consultation on proposed changes to By-law No. 60 regarding the annual registration fee, rescind the proposed by-law amendments, consider the input provided to date, and reevaluate the approach to the fee increase. As a result, this consultation was closed. Following this meeting, CMRITO committed to reevaluating the approach to a fee increase in light of the information received through the consultation process.

However, the current proposal contradicts that commitment by reintroducing significant fee hikes without sufficient justification or transparency. The report cites eliminating annual deficits and achieving unrestricted net assets equivalent to 4.5 months of annual expenses by 2029 as justifications for the increase. However, there is no clear explanation as to why such a large reserve is necessary or why these costs cannot be mitigated through internal budget adjustments rather than placing the financial burden solely on members.

Negative Impact on Profession Accessibility and Retention
Higher fees discourage new professionals from entering the field and create financial barriers for existing members, particularly those working part-time, in rural areas, or those already struggling with student debt.

If the CMRITO truly values workforce sustainability, it should seek alternative financial solutions that do not disproportionately impact its members.

Alternative Solutions
Rather than placing the burden entirely on members, we urge the Council to explore other financial strategies, such as:

• Cost-cutting measures within CMRITO operations, such as reducing administrative expenses, optimizing staffing structures, and eliminating non-essential expenditures.
• Subleasing unused office space and transitioning to a fully remote work model to reduce overhead costs.
• Seeking government or external funding sources to support regulatory functions.
• Introducing tiered fee structures that account for different employment statuses, such as part-time or newly licensed professionals.
• Implementing operational efficiency improvements, such as streamlining digital platforms and automating administrative processes, to reduce long-term costs.

In conclusion, these fee increases are excessive, unjustified, and harmful to CMRITO members. We urge the Council to reconsider this proposal and engage in meaningful consultation with members to develop a more equitable financial plan.

Please share this petition with CMRITO members who have not yet signed, and provide feedback directly to the CMRITO via the following link:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=dgBarPr20k2-C_zmieAAGIIWqv7Q8h5NkyawR7uVxtJURVVGV0syNFBRUVNGSjFLWlNBUjhBVlMwOS4u&route=shorturl