Dear CMLTO Registrants,

As we welcome the arrival of spring, I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to the newest members of the CMLTO Board of Directors: Lucia Di Pietro and Robert Hague, as well as to our returning Board members. Their dedication to public protection and the advancement of the medical laboratory profession will be an asset to the work that the CMLTO Board accomplishes. I look forward to working alongside them. 

I also want to highlight the new CMLTO Statutory Committee appointments for 2025. The CMLTO Statutory Committees play a vital role in upholding the College’s mandate to regulate the profession in the public interest. The work that these Committees accomplish contribute to key regulatory functions such as registration, quality assurance, and professional conduct. I encourage you to review the updated Statutory Committee compositions included in this issue to learn more about how these teams contribute to the integrity and accountability of our profession. Consider joining one! It's a great way to whet your appetite in the world of regulation.

If you're ready for something bigger, take a look at the call for nominations to the 2026 Board, which is currently open for those in Electoral Districts 2, 3, 4, and 8. Serving on the Board is a unique and rewarding opportunity to contribute to the regulation of the profession while gaining valuable leadership and governance experience. I especially encourage early-career medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) to consider applying. Bringing diverse perspectives to the table strengthens our ability to make informed decisions that impact the profession and the public.

Finally, I invite you to tune in to our next Board meeting livestream to see firsthand the important work being done. To view upcoming meeting dates and livestream details, please visit CMLTO Board Meeting Dates.

Thank you for your ongoing engagement and commitment to protecting the safety of Ontarians.

Sincerely,

Karen Persad, BSc, MLT

CMLTO Board Chair

A Message from the Registrar & CEO, John Tzountzouris

Dear CMLTO Registrants,

As we welcome the first issue of FOCUS for the year, I am pleased to share some exciting updates with you. Echoing the sentiments of our Board Chair, we are enthusiastic about the work ahead, particularly as the 2025 Statutory Committees begin their important responsibilities. I encourage you to read further into this issue to learn more about the composition of these Committees and the dedicated individuals serving on them. Additionally, we are thrilled to welcome new Board members and look forward to continuing our collaboration with our returning members.

This issue of FOCUS also includes significant updates that impact the medical laboratory profession in Canada. One of these developments is the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professional Regulators (CAMLPR) partnership concerning Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) for Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs). This partnership aims to provide a cost-effective and accessible PLI option for MLTs. Be sure to read further in this issue for more details on this initiative.

Another important advancement is the regulation of medical laboratory assistants and technicians in Nova Scotia. This is a crucial step forward as CMLTO continues its efforts toward the regulation of these professionals in Ontario. This initiative is guided by our unwavering commitment to public protection, and we encourage you to learn more about this development in the following pages.

We have also reached the conclusion of the CMLTO registration renewal period—our first renewal cycle conducted through the new Online Services platform. This milestone marks a significant achievement, and I would like to take a moment to acknowledge our dedicated staff for their hard work and commitment to this project. I also want to extend my gratitude to all Registrants for completing their renewals and adapting to the new system.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to serving the medical laboratory profession with excellence. Your commitment and professionalism continue to uphold the integrity and quality of laboratory services across Ontario.

Sincerely,  

John Tzountzouris, MA, BSc, BHA, MLT, GSP

Registrar & CEO

The Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) partners with Harvard Western Insurance (HWI) to offer an affordable, flexible, and regulator-compliant Professional Liability Insurance option for MLTs across Canada

The Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) is pleased to share that it is partnering with Harvard Western Insurance (HWI) to offer Professional Liability Insurance for Medical Laboratory Technologists in Canada. The policy is available for medical laboratory assistants and technicians as well.

Harvard Western Insurance was selected because it is one of Canada’s leading insurance providers and offers insurance solutions that are focused on affordability and flexibility.

This insurance policy was developed to meet the registration requirements of regulatory bodies across Canada and complies with provincial regulations requiring those who provide clinical services to be covered by and maintain liability insurance.

This development is one of the ways that CAMLPR is working to strengthen the medical laboratory profession and strive for the highest standards of safety and accountability.

For more information, visit the CAMLPR website. 

Nova Scotia is the first province in Canada to regulate Medical Laboratory Assistants and Technicians

Please join the CMLTO in recognizing the Nova Scotia College of Medical Laboratory Technology (NSCMLT) as the first province in Canada to regulate medical laboratory assistants and technicians under the Nova Scotia Medical Laboratory Technology Act.

This initiative is an important step in enhancing public safety, improving healthcare standards, and ensuring that these essential professionals are able to work within their full scope of practice.

This development is effective starting on May 3, 2025. For more information, click here.

We also invite you to stay tuned with this development on the NSCMLT website.

College Governance Updates

February Board Meeting Highlights

February Board Meeting Highlights

The CMLTO Board of Directors met on February 20 and 21, 2025 in person and virtually. A few highlights from the meetings include:

Composition of the 2025 Board Statutory Committees

The CMLTO prioritizes diversity and turnover within its committee membership, upholding its unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion by actively welcoming new members each year and embracing diverse perspectives.

The CMLTO Board of Directors approved the compositions of the 2025 CMLTO Statutory Committees at its meeting on February 20, 2025.

With the goals of increasing engagement and attracting more Non-Board Committee Members (NBCMs), the Call for Non-Board Committee Members (NBCMs) approach was redesigned. The enhanced approach incorporated individual outreach alongside improved general outreach and was more informative and inviting. The information was shared via the CMLTO website, FOCUS Newsletter, and CMLTO social media channels. The approach was successful, resulting in a record number of incoming NBCMs for CMLTO.

It is with great pleasure that we introduce 13 new Non-Board Committee Members (NBCMs) who have joined us this year:

• Alison Nimetz Severini
• Amanda Godbout
• Anthony Battista
• Danielle Menezes
• Faris Joatar
• Megan Spencer
• Mitzi Ann Estrada  
• Rajan Kumar Dahal
• Samira Ahmed
• Sanya Sohal
• Stephanie Cote Girard  
• Tharani Thulaseetharan
• Trina Gilley

CMLTO also warmly welcomes back 2 Non-Board Committee Members (NBCMs) who are returning to supporting CMLTO Statutory Committees after completing a Cooling-Off Period as per the CMLTO By-Law:

• Masi Basiri
• Geeta Seocharan

The CMLTO extends its congratulations to each 2025 CMLTO Statutory Committee Member as they assume their new roles within the College. We look forward to their valuable contributions to the regulation of the profession in the public interest.

CMLTO Board Competency Framework Implementation

Establishing and implementing a competency-based model for the composition of the CMLTO Board of Directors is an important component of the CMLTO Governance Modernization Plan.

The CMLTO Board Competency Framework serves as a foundational guide and roadmap, to guide the recruitment, elections, appointments, and continuing Board Member development process. It articulates the skills, knowledge, and attributes essential for the effective functioning of the CMLTO Board of Directors, ensuring its collective expertise is robust and adaptive.

Integrating the established Board competencies into the CMLTO Board Nomination and Election Processes is a key step of the implementation plan. At the February meeting, the CMLTO Board of Directors approved a revised Governance Process policy to facilitate this integration. The revised policy, retitled GP IV-40 CMLTO Board Composition and Leadership Continuity Policy, adopts a broader approach to CMLTO Board composition to effectively support the Board's ongoing governance and leadership objectives.

Integration with CAMLPR Professional Standards

The Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) has introduced eight new entry-level competency profiles for the MLT profession. Prior learning assessments and field-of-practice competency assessments (examinations) for the MLT profession in Canada will be affected by the new competency profiles. The new competency profiles reflect the following fields of practice, and will allow MLT applicants to be registered in each field of practice where they have demonstrated competency:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Hematology
• Transfusion Medicine (Science)
• Clinical Microbiology
• Histology
• Cytology: Gynecologic and Non-gynecologic
• Cytogenetics
• Molecular Diagnostics

In support of achievement of Ends Policy 2 – Accountable Professionals, the CMLTO’s Board of Directors endorsed the CAMLPR competency profiles as the national competency profiles, and the assessment processes as the entry to practice requirements for the MLT profession on the dates identified by CAMLPR.

Following this endorsement, the CMLTO will move forward with updating its Registration policies in accordance with these changes to take effect on the dates specified by CAMLPR. The changes will take place in November 2025 for internationally educated applicants and will affect all registration applicants as of March 2026. Further details such as the updated processes for applicants will be provided as the processes are finalized.

2025 CMLTO Integrated Board Strategic Agenda/Work Plan

Committed to achieving its deliverables with a purpose-driven, proactive, focused, inclusive, and disciplined governance strategy, the CMLTO Board of Directors approved the 2025 CMLTO Integrated Board Strategic Agenda/Work Plan at its meeting on February 20, 2025.

The key priority areas for the 2025 CMLTO Integrated Board Strategic Agenda/Work Plan identified by the CMLTO Board of Directors through its 2024 Board Effectiveness Self-Evaluation are as follows:

• Continued intentional emphasis on the protection of the public interest and Board decision-making through this lens
• Regulation of medical laboratory assistants and technicians
• Implementation of the 2025 External Evaluation of Board Effectiveness
• EDIJ Advancement at the Board and throughout CMLTO
• Refreshing the CMLTO Board Governance Scorecard
• Implementation of the CMLTO Board Competency Framework
• Board Policy Development and Refresh
• Implementation of the CMLTO Governance Modernization Plan
• Implementation of the CMLTO 2024 and 2025 Ongoing Perpetual Board / Careholdership Linkage/Engagement Plan
• Trends in the MLT Profession (Including HHR Trends and Implications)
• Government Relations/Public Policy

The CMLTO is dedicated to serving the public interest through the 2025 CMLTO Integrated Board Strategic Agenda/Work Plan.

Please click here for further information on the other actions taken by the Board of Directors at its February meeting.

2025 Board Meeting Dates

2025 CMLTO Board meeting dates are as follows:

• Thursday, February 20 & Friday, February 21, 2025
• Monday, April 7, 2025 (please note that the Board is meeting on this date, but it will not be broadcasted)
• Monday, May 26 & Tuesday, May 27, 2025
• Monday, September 22 & Tuesday, September 23, 202
• Monday, December 8 & Tuesday, December 9, 2025

* Meetings dates, times and locations may vary.

2024 CMLTO Board meeting dates and times are listed on the CMLTO website.

If you plan to attend a meeting, please contact the College at (416) 861 9605 (223) ext. 247 or executiveoffice@cmlto.com, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Observers may watch livestream broadcasts of the meetings through CMLTO’s YouTube Channel. To tune in, visit the CMLTO YouTube channel on Board meeting days at the time we indicate on our website and social media channels.

Call for Nominations to 2026 CMLTO Board of Directors

Have you considered acting as the voice of the public in Ontario and making a difference in the regulation of the medical laboratory profession in Ontario? 

If you are a medical laboratory technologist (MLT), who has a passion to serve the public and promote public safety, the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) is inviting you to take a vital role in the regulation of the profession in the public interest by joining its Board of Directors!

The CMLTO protects the public’s right to safe, competent, ethical health care by regulating the profession of medical laboratory technology in the interest of the public in Ontario.

As self-regulated professionals, MLTs have the opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of the profession in Ontario.

CMLTO Board Members have a direct voice in setting the strategic direction of the College to fulfill its statutory mandate: “To serve and protect the public in Ontario”.

The CMLTO is now accepting nominations from eligible Registrants in the following electoral districts to serve on its Board of Directors:

REGULAR ELECTION

The CMLTO Board Elections Information Guide is intended to encourage all MLTs in Ontario, who are interested in offering their wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm in pursuit of public protection, to consider putting their names forward to become a CMLTO Board Member.

The deadline for the election nomination forms to be received by the CMLTO is Friday, May 30, 2025, 4:30 p.m. (EST).

For more details about CMLTO Board elections, click here.

Equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice are a priority for the CMLTO.

Therefore, applications from all equity deserving groups in Ontario are encouraged to optimize the richness of diversity in the CMLTO Board composition and decisions.

The CMLTO also welcomes applications from early-career professionals, recognizing the value of diverse generational perspectives in shaping inclusive and forward-thinking governance

If you have any questions, please contact us at executiveoffice@cmlto.com. 

2025 CMLTO Board Officer Profiles

The CMLTO is pleased to announce its 2025 Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee consists of five Board Members who are appointed by the Board of Directors at its first regular meeting of the year:

Karen Persad

Chair

Professional Member

Helen Meaney

Vice-Chair

Professional Member

Tammie Rix

Vice-Chair

Public Member

Paula Curti

Professional Member

Walter Hewus

Public Member

The composition of the 2025 CMLTO Executive Committee has been approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting on February 20, 2025.

CMLTO 2025 Statutory Committee Appointments

The CMLTO Board of Directors conducts its various regulatory responsibilities through the Statutory Committees established by Section 10 (1) of the Health Professions Procedural Code being Schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), 1991.

The Statutory Committees are composed of Professional and Public Board Members, and Non-Board Committee Members (NBCMs) with the exception of the Executive Committee.

The Compositions of the CMLTO 2025 Statutory Committees have been approved by the CMLTO Board of Directors at its meeting on February 20, 2025. Congratulations to the members of the 2025 CMLTO Statutory Committees on their appointments.

Participating on one of the CMLTO Statutory Committees as an NBCM is a great opportunity to help guide the CMLTO in protecting the public interest. All MLTs in Ontario, who are interested in offering their wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm in pursuit of public protection are encouraged to consider putting their names forward in October 2025 to become a Non-Board Committee Member in 2026.

The CMLTO Board of Directors welcomes two new Board members

The CMLTO is pleased to present two new Board Members:

• Lucia Di Pietro, Professional Member, Electoral District 1: South West Region
• Robert Hague, Public Member

The CMLTO extends congratulations to its new Board Members. 

College Program Area Updates

Registration

How to check up-to-date CMLTO registration status



In accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, the CMLTO is required to make certain information about all MLTs available to the public. The most accurate way of checking an individual’s up-to-date CMLTO registration status, including their registration class and specialties, is by checking through the CMLTO Public Register.

After the annual renewal period (February 7 of each year), we strongly encourage all MLT employers to check their employees’ CMLTO registration status through the CMLTO Public Register.

If employers and MLTs require additional information regarding the information displayed on the Public Register, please contact the Registration Department by email at registration@cmlto.com or by telephone at 1-800-323-9672 extension 1.

Are you Opted-in? CMLTO’s Communication Services

CMLTO uses Constant Contact and SurveyMonkey as communication platforms to issue the FOCUS newsletter, send audit and survey links, and communicate other important information from the College. It is key that registrants remain subscribed to these platforms to ensure that they receive CMLTO communications.

If you want to change the email address you receive CMLTO communications, please update your primary email address by logging in to CMLTO Online Services and clicking the ‘name, address, and contact information’ tab. Also, if your workplace email system blocks our correspondence, we strongly encourage you to change your primary email registered with the CMLTO to an alternate email address and to add emails from the CMLTO to your "safe senders" list to ensure that you receive the correspondence directly to your inbox.

Maintaining your Contact / Employment Information

Throughout the year, changes may occur to your job, where you live, or your telephone number. It’s important to make sure your information is up to date to ensure that CMLTO can contact you as needed. Your contact information includes:

• Your home mailing address
• Your email address and phone number
• Your employment information

Ensuring the information above is accurate means you comply with your obligations described in the CMLTO By-Law. Registrants can update their information at any time by logging into their CMLTO Online Services. 

Quality Assurance

Professional Portfolio Reminder

The Quality Assurance Program (QAP) Professional Portfolio launched on January 1, 2025. All Practising Registrants and Voluntary Roster (VR) Affiliates are required to complete and submit their 2025 Stage 1 Professional Portfolio by March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. After Registrants and VR Affiliates submit their portfolio for review, they will be notified by email whether their submission was approved or requires edits. If a submission requires edits, Registrants and VR Affiliates can log into their CMLTO account and view their feedback, update their Stage 1 portfolio, and re-submit it for review. So far, CMLTO QAP staff have received 500+ Stage 1 submissions!

Looking for a learning goal to pursue throughout 2025? You may consider advancing your knowledge on delegation. Concepts related to delegation are covered in this year’s PRISM topic. The module focusses on concepts such as orders, medical directives, and the delegation of controlled acts. CMLTO’s website has resources dedicated to sharing insights about these topics. You can access the CMLTO Practice Guidelines webpage here.

QAP staff recognize that the updated Professional Portfolio platform is a new experience, however the requirements remain the same as previous years. We are committed to supporting you in meeting your QA obligations. If you are having difficulty setting your goals for the year or encounter any challenges with maintaining your Professional Portfolio, QAP staff are available for coaching sessions. If you would like to set-up a coaching session, please email QAP staff at qualityassurance@cmlto.com. 

CMLTO MLT Suspensions & Revocations for 2025

When a registrant fails to pay their registration renewal fee within the prescribed timeline, they are suspended. Suspended individuals are not registrants of CMLTO, are not entitled to use the MLT title, and are not legally authorized to practise in Ontario.

On February 8, 2025, the following individuals were suspended for non-payment of fees:

Individuals who were suspended for non-payment of fees may apply to the Registrar & CEO for reinstatement at any time within three (3) years from the date on which they were suspended. If an individual does not apply for reinstatement within three years, their certificate of registration is revoked. On February 10, 2025, CMLTO registration was revoked for the following individuals:

CMLTO Voluntary Roster Suspensions for 2025

Starting in 2025, when a Registered Medical Laboratory Technician who is enrolled in the CMLTO’s Voluntary Roster (VR) fails to pay their registration renewal fee within the prescribed timeline, their enrollment is suspended.

On February 8, 2025, the VR enrollment of the following individuals was suspended for non-payment of fees:

Upcoming Office Hours

Please note that the CMLTO office will be closed on the following days this season:

Friday, April 18th, 2025 (Good Friday)

Monday, April 21st, 2025 (Easter Monday)

The CMLTO office will also be open between 8:30 am - 12:00 pm only on the following days this season:

Friday, May 16th, 2025