The Wave | October 2025 Issue

CASLPO Launches 2025–2029 Strategic Plan

The College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) has launched its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, effective October 1, 2025.

Building on a strong foundation, the new plan focuses on deepening trust, equity, and responsiveness in everything we do. It outlines three priorities that will guide CASLPO’s work over the next four years:

• Insight-Informed Regulation – Learn from the public, registrants, and system partners to guide decisions and strengthen our regulatory approach.
• Communication That Builds Trust – Share clear, accessible information that reflects our role, values, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Collaborative, Future-Ready Leadership – Work with system partners to advance a fair, responsive, and forward-looking regulatory system.

Through this plan, CASLPO reaffirms its commitment to protecting the public and supporting audiologists and speech-language pathologists in providing safe, high-quality care for Ontarians.

Read the Strategic Plan

2024–2025 DEI Report Released

CASLPO is pleased to share its 2024–2025 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Report, Continuing the Momentum: CASLPO’s Path to Inclusive Care. The report highlights progress made toward embedding inclusion across all aspects of our work and advancing equitable care in Ontario.

“Over the past year, change and disruption have continued to shape our world. At a time when some question whether organizations should continue to prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), CASLPO’s commitment remains strong,” says Margaret Drent, Registrar & CEO. “We are committed to learning, growing, and deepening our understanding of DEI so we can better serve the public and support our registrants.”

Over the past five years, DEI has been a core pillar of CASLPO’s 2021–2025 Strategic Plan and a defining feature of how we regulate in the public interest. As we transition into the 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, we continue to build on this foundation, guided by the same strong commitment.

“This year, our work included bringing more training sessions to broaden our understanding of privilege, oppression, and challenges faced by patients,” says Preeya Singh, Director of Professional Conduct, General Counsel & DEI Officer. “We have continued to gather demographic data from CASLPO registrants to gain insight into the diversity of Ontario’s audiologists and speech-language pathologists. As a part of our work towards reconciliation, we are also actively seeking to build new relationships with Indigenous communities and peoples.”

Highlights from the 2024-2025 Report:

• Education & Awareness: Held the E-Forum “Towards Accountable Action on Equity, Allyship, and Peacemaking in Healthcare,” revised staff competencies to prioritize inclusion and belonging, and implemented a DEI Communication Guide to support the use of inclusive language across departments.
• Data & Transparency: Strengthened our understanding of registrant diversity by publishing a three-year comparison of demographic data and completing the fourth annual data collection.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Demonstrated leadership in DEI through co-chairing the HPRO EDI Network, hosting Ontario’s first DEI conference for health regulators, and presenting at the INFONEX Inc. conference.
• Policy & Governance: Enhanced equitable practices by revising the Accommodation Policy and introducing customized Territory Acknowledgements for Board Committees rooted in the Seven Grandfather/Sacred Teachings.
• Registrant & Public Engagement: Expanded outreach through engagement with Indigenous communities and launching a multilingual public awareness search campaign.

These initiatives reflect CASLPO’s continued leadership in fostering equity, accountability, and belonging, reinforcing that inclusive regulation supports safer, more effective care for all Ontarians.

Read the full 2024–2025 DEI Report and explore related resources on the DEI section of our website. 

Comments and questions can be sent to Preeya Singh, DEI Officer, [email protected]. 

Read the 2024-2025 DEI Report

Board Education Day and Election of the Executive Committee

On September 18, CASLPO’s Board of Directors held its annual Education Day. The theme was "The Patient and Family Experience," and featured presentations from caregivers, family members, and author and hearing health advocate Gael Hannan, who shared her lived experience with hearing loss.

Board and Committee members also participated in group learning on applying an equity lens to decision-making. Melanie Woodbeck, Registrar of the College of Dietitians of Ontario, presented on how Boards can strengthen decision-making and build public trust.

We were pleased to welcome new Public Board Member, Geoffrey Lind, and extend our thanks to Donna Mooney and Kiki Abbott-Moore for their valuable contributions as they end their time on the Board.

On September 19, the Board elected its 2025-2026 Executive Committee who will serve until June 12, 2026:

• Chair – Pam Millett, AUD
• Vice-Chair – Kim Eskritt, AUD
• SLP Member – Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald
• SLP Member – Harunya Naaventhan
• Public Member – Brian Mason
• Public Member – Selomon Menghsha

The Executive Committee advises the Board of Directors regarding changes to legislation, regulations, and By-Laws. They also play a role in determining topics for Board Education. When the Board is not able to meet, the Executive Committee can make decisions in certain areas on urgent issues. Board minutes and profiles of Board members are available on the CASLPO website.

Preparing for the 2025–2026 Respiratory Virus Season

October 20-24th is Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Week. This annual observance is a timely reminder for all health professionals to review and strengthen infection prevention practices as the respiratory virus season begins.

Updated PHO IPAC Course

Public Health Ontario (PHO) has updated its interactive IPAC course for health care workers. The scenario-based modules are tailored to specific settings, such as long-term care, and are designed to enhance both knowledge and practical skills. You can earn Continuous Learning Activity Credits (CLACs) if you have a learning goal related to IPAC practices.

Infection Prevention and Control – Online Learning | PHO

2025–2026 Respiratory Virus Season Updates

Respiratory viruses are returning to their usual seasonal patterns. Vaccination remains a key tool in reducing risk:

• COVID-19 vaccines are available to high-risk groups, including patient-facing health care workers starting the week of September 22, 2025. 
• Flu vaccines are available to high-risk groups starting the week of September 29, 2025.
• Free flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available to the general public starting October 27, 2025, at participating pharmacies. List of pharmacy vaccine locations.

Prepare and Prevent

• Plan ahead: Consider how respiratory viruses may affect your practice and day-to-day living.
• Use layers of protection: Follow ongoing risk assessments and infection prevention measures. Helpful infographic: How to Protect Yourself and Others from Respiratory Viruses.
• Stay immunized: Keep your vaccinations up to date and encourage patients, colleagues, and employees to do the same. 
• Know your trusted sources: Your local public health unit (PHU), IPAC hubs, and health professionals are reliable sources of guidance. 
• Practice resources: Refer to CASLPO’s General Standards: Infection Prevention and Control here.

By taking proactive steps now, we can help protect our patients, colleagues, and communities throughout the upcoming respiratory virus season.