We are responding to your communications on behalf of the Board. Thank you for reaching out to express your concerns about the annual fees.

Pharmacy technicians are playing an increasingly important role in the way pharmacy services are delivered, and we value the contributions they make to the health and well being of Ontarians. We take the feedback very seriously and appreciate sharing your views with us.

Each year, the Board of Directors approves an annual operating budget that ensures OCP has the financial resources to fulfill its statutory responsibilities defined in legislation and strategic priorities as Ontario’s pharmacy regulator. This budget is carefully developed and thoughtfully considers our fiscal obligations. We recognize that annual registration fees are paid by dedicated, hard-working pharmacy professionals and we take seriously our obligation, guided by the oversight of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board, to be responsible stewards of our financial resources and the registrant fees that fund our work. 

 It is important to note that registration fees vary by profession in Ontario and across Canada, and OCP’s fees are among the lowest of pharmacy regulators in the country. Even so, it is difficult to accurately compare different professions and/or jurisdictions with each another given many variables including the number of registrants, the variability of Board-approved strategic and operational priorities and the unique regulatory frameworks relevant to our respective professions and jurisdictions. 

 The College’s budget for 2026 has been approved by the Board and our operational plan is now implemented. Reducing fees for 2026 is not possible and there can be no changes to the renewal deadline for this year. However, we are committing to bring forward these concerns to the Board at its next meeting scheduled for March 23, 2026, as part of an open discussion on the impact of fees on registrants and a broader analysis of OCP’s annual renewal and administrative fee structures for future consideration.

 I hope that this information is helpful. We look forward to discussing this matter at the Board meeting and to communicating the outcome of the discussion. We also look forward to connecting with various groups, including CAPT, going forward to help continue important dialogue on this and other matters of shared interest.

Sincerely,

 Doug Brown,

Chair, OCP Board of Directors