The new CPHR designation

In October 2016, CCHRA (the Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations) changed our name to CPHR (Chartered Professionals in Human Resources) Canada and changed the CHRP designation to CPHR, to address the changing HR industry across Canada.

As the human resources role continues to become more critical to accelerating economic growth through business success, and improving the lives of employees, the change aligned CPHR Canada and the member associations to be stronger together.

The nine provinces and three territories in CPHR Canada opted to maintain one designation — Chartered Professional in Human Resources — as our standard of quality.

We would have proceeded with this alignment under the CHRP banner, but the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA) of Ontario opted to create a three-tiered designation for their Province and they defined CHRP, which was shared across the country, as their entry level designation. So the rest of Canada was required to either accept the tiered model, or make this change.

CPHRs are proven to have the unique expertise and the experience to meet the challenges of today’s workforce. The standards we have set and the quality we deliver through CPHR Canada is second to none in the world.

We have established consistent requirements for certification and continuing professional development and a national Code of Conduct. We are moving together toward self-regulation in each Province, and we are accrediting Post-Secondary Education programs across the country that align with our educational requirements.

CPHR Canada, 31,000 members strong, is the voice of HR in Canada. We are Canada’s representative on the North American Human Resources Management Association (NAHRMA) and the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA); and we recently signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in the U.S., the world’s largest HR professional society, representing 285,000 members in more than 165 countries. SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China, India and United Arab Emirates.