College Connections
October 2026
Welcome to the October issue of College Connections.
Reminders:
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October 7 is World Habitat Day
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Save the Date: College of Applied Biologists Annual Conference 2027 in Penticton, April 7-9, 2027 at the Penticton Lakeside Resort
For news and updates, follow us on social media:
The College acknowledges the territories of First Nations and their enduring relationships with the lands, waters, and ecosystems across what is now known as British Columbia. We recognize the rights, governments, interests, perspectives, and priorities of all Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. We respect and honour their distinct cultures, histories, languages, knowledge systems, laws, and ways of life.
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Submission of CPD Statement for 2026
Registrants must submit their 2026 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) statement in order to pay registrant dues for 2027.
The CPD Program is described in Part 7, Division 2 of the College Bylaws and in Policy 7-100.
Requirements for registrants are set out in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Standard.
Participation in the CPD Program is mandatory for all practicing and in-training registrants, including those registered as on leave.
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Minimum points/hours: Registrants must complete 100 CPD points of eligible activities as set out in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Standard (there is a reduced requirement for those registered as on-leave).
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CPD categories: Eligible activities are defined by categories in the CPD Standard.
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Claimable points: Maximum annual claimable points per activity and category are set out in the CPD Standard.
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Indigenous Awareness: Registrants must complete five CPD points (hours) of learning about Indigenous Peoples over three consecutive years.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Registrants must complete five CPD points (hours) of learning about diversity, equity, and inclusion over three consecutive years.
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Annual reporting: Registrants must submit annual records of CPD activities by December 31 of each year in their profile in the College’s registrant portal.
CPD statements for 2026 may be entered up to and including December 31, 2026.
Complete your CPD statement in the Registrant Portal.
If you have any questions about CPD, please refer to the CPD Standard or contact Sue Owen, Senior Manager of Practice, at sue.owen@cab-bc.org.
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Prince George Information Session Explores Changes Affecting Applied Biologists
On September 24, 35 attendees including students, College registrants, Board members, and staff gathered in Prince George for an evening information session hosted by the College of Applied Biologists.
The session featured a presentation by CEO Laura Plante and Director of Practice Sam Pittman on “Practice, Regulatory and Credentialing Updates: What Applied Biologists Need to Know.” The presentation provided an overview of developments affecting professional practice in British Columbia, including reserved practice, regulatory requirements, practice boundaries, collaboration with other regulators, and the College’s updated credentialing standard, which took effect in June 2026.
The discussion focused on a question that is increasingly relevant to applied biologists: Can you do the work? As regulation evolves and areas of professional practice intersect, understanding professional responsibilities and regulatory requirements is essential for registrants, employers, students, and those considering registration.
The evening also provided an opportunity to connect with colleagues and speak directly with College leadership and Board members. Attendees had time to mingle before and after the presentation, creating space for conversations about the profession, current regulatory developments, and the future of applied biology in British Columbia.
The next information session will be held November 26 in Vancouver at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel. Registration will be required.
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2027 Registration Dues Payable
Annual 2027 registration dues will be payable starting October 15.
All registrants will receive a dues notification at the email address listed in their Registrant Portal profile. Please ensure your email address is up to date. For more information about paying your dues, watch for updates in College Connections, College Notices, and on the College website.
Before You Pay Your Dues
Please review the following reminders before completing your renewal:
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Submit your 2026 CPD statement. As described above, registrants must submit their 2026 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) statement before they can pay their 2027 registration dues. You may continue to add CPD information for the current year until midnight on December 31, 2026.
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Check your primary email address. The email address listed in your Registrant Portal profile is the only address the College will use for routine communications. As part of the renewal process, you will need to confirm that you can receive emails at this address, so please ensure it is up to date. If you need to change it, log in to the Registrant Portal and update your profile by locating your name in the top right hand corner of the page and clicking "My Settings."
The College recommends using a personal email address for College communications. This helps ensure you continue to receive important regulatory information and maintain access to the Registrant Portal if you change employers.
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Consider adding an alternate email address. We encourage you to add an alternate email address in your Registrant Portal profile that can be used for sign-in and password recovery. An alternate email may also be used to manage access to your account or notify you of significant registration changes, such as a suspension. It will not be used for routine communications or reminders.
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Make sure your email address can receive messages. If there is an issue with your email address that prevents the College from delivering communications, you will need to update it before you can complete your renewal.
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Submit any proof of name change if you have changed your name in the past year. You can do so by submitting an updated ID verification through the Registrant Portal and sending your proof of name change to registrar_office@cab-bc.org. It is the registrant’s responsibility to keep their personal information updated on their Registrant Portal profile.
Are You Considering a Change of Registration Status?
If you plan to go on leave, retire or resign before the end of the year, please consider the following:
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On-leave and retired registrants are required to pay annual dues.
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A registrant who has resigned no longer has to pay registration dues.
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On-leave and resigned status are available for all registrants.
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Retired status is only available for RPBios, RBTechs, ABTs or AB-LLs.
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All changes of registration status must be applied for through a registrant’s profile in the College’s Portal.
o IMPORTANT: the portal does not include
the options to apply in advance or
retroactively, so please plan accordingly.
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An individual has a maximum of three years to reinstate from the date they were registered as on leave, cancelled, resigned or retired. Different fee structures apply depending on whether the change in status is from on leave/retired or resigned/cancelled.
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For more information about change of status, please visit the Change Status webpage or contact registrar_office@cab-bc.org.
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Regulatory Updates and Other Resource Information
Accelerating mining in B.C. with streamlined permitting
From the Government of BC - The provincial government reports that six months after introducing the fixed permitting timelines framework for mineral exploration, every permitting target has been met and the first permits under the framework were issued ahead of schedule.
Province urges continued water conservation, fall flood preparedness
From the Government of BC - People in British Columbia are urged to continue conserving water through the fall and winter while preparing for flooding and other hazards, as persistent drought and more intense storms create risks throughout the province.
Government of Canada releases new climate report supporting climate resilience planning
From the Government of Canada - The Government of Canada is releasing its five-year scientific report today to inform planning, resilience-building, and emergency preparedness in a changing climate.
Underscoring the importance of integrating climate change considerations into existing planning and decision-making processes across all sectors, Canada’s Changing Climate Report 2026 contributes to the implementation of the National Adaptation Strategy. The Government of Canada aims to conduct rigorous science and presenting it in accessible ways so everyone can benefit from this knowledge.
Minister Thompson announces Ocean Envoy and Chair of Our Ocean Conference
From the Government of Canada - As host of the twelfth Our Ocean Conference in 2027, Canada will bring together governments, Indigenous leaders, scientists, industry, non-governmental organizations and communities to turn ambition into concrete action for ocean protection and sustainable use.
The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, announced that Mme. Diana Fox Carney will serve as Canada’s Ocean Envoy and Chair of the twelfth Our Ocean Conference.
Federal government invests $2.6 million to support migratory bird monitoring and conservation programs across the country
From the Government of Canada - On September 16, Wade Grant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada will invest $2.6 million to Birds Canada over five years to support a wide range of monitoring and conservation programs for migratory birds, including species at risk.
Group fined a total of $19,000 for harvesting shellfish from a contaminated area and other Fisheries Act violations
From the Government of Canada - On July 14, 2026, in Campbell River Provincial Court, five recreational harvesters were convicted and fined a total of $19,000 for illegal fishing activities.
Prime Minister Carney announces investment to protect Canada’s oceans
From the Government of Canada - On September 29, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced an investment of $1.2 billion to better protect Canada’s oceans and the life they sustain. The measures renewed and introduced today will increase monitoring, strengthen ocean science and ecosystem protections, and improve our marine incident prevention and preparedness.
If you are aware of a regulatory update or resource, please let us know. All contributors will be acknowledged.
Resources for registrants:
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Job Postings
Postings from the College website with imminent closing dates are featured below. Additional postings are regularly added to the College's employment postings page. If you or your company are interested in posting a job, you can do so here.
HYDRO ACOUSTICS & FISH DETECTION BIOLOGIST
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $30.00–$40.00
Hiring Organization: Dynamic Ocean Consulting Ltd.
Location: Port Moody, BC
NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST 4
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $104,800.00–$112,800.00
Hiring Organization: BC Hydro
Location: Burnaby, BC
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM LEAD
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $97,100.00–$114,200.00
Hiring Organization: FortisBC
Location: Surrey or Kelowna, BC
OPERATIONS MANAGER, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $100,000.00–$100,000.00
Hiring Organization: Archipelago Marine Research
Location: Victoria BC
INTERMEDIATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $30.00–$42.00
Hiring Organization: Frontier Environmental Consulting Inc.
Location: Fraser Valley/ Lower Mainland
ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $114,400.00–$145,600.00
Hiring Organization: KINTERA (formerly DWB/Chartwell)
Location: Williams Lake, British Columbia
The College website contains these six postings at this time, view all here.
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Featured Photo
Cutthroat Trout (credit: Tim Antill, RPBio)
College registrants are invited to submit high resolution photos with captions for use in College publications (College Matters, College Connections, Annual Report) to admin@cab-bc.org. Photos will be credited.
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