Regulation Task Force: What You Need to Know

The Alberta Kinesiology Association’s goal is to achieve regulation of kinesiology in Alberta under the Health Professions Act to protect the public protection, clarify scope, and support integration into Alberta’s healthcare system.

Why this matters

There are over 500 kinesiologists currently that support Albertans across prevention, rehabilitation, chronic disease management, return-to-work, and performance. Regulation enables the profession to take greater responsibility for its scope and standards, supporting safer care, clearer collaboration within interdisciplinary teams, and increased confidence for the public, employers, and the health system.

Purpose of the Regulation Task Force (RTF)

The RTF is a working group established by the AKA to help advance the AKA’s primary strategic priority: Achieving regulation of kinesiology in Alberta.

The RTF will support the AKA by:

Advancing work required for a regulation application (with support from the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance, where applicable)
Supporting government and stakeholder engagement in an organized, consistent, and professional way
Helping ensure our messaging is aligned, accurate, and rooted in public protection
Building relationships and endorsements across Alberta’s health ecosystem (government, AHS/PCNs, insurers, employers, allied health)

Why Join the RTF?

Joining the RTF is a high-value professional leadership opportunity that supports the profession and strengthens your own career development. Benefits include:

Experience in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and health-system strategy
Training in government relations and Alberta health structures
Direct contribution to a long-term profession-defining initiative
Visibility, networking, and leadership growth opportunities
Helping protect the public and advance kinesiology’s role in Alberta care pathways

Who We're Looking For (RTF Member Criteria)

Required:

5+ years of practice experience in the kinesiology field
Knowledge of the profession of kinesiology and its service settings in Alberta
Knowledge of the health system (or demonstrated ability to learn quickly)
Strong written and verbal communication
Critical thinking and sound judgement (public-facing and stakeholder-facing work)

Asset (not required):

Experience with professional regulation, policy, governance, or advocacy

Join the Regulation Task Force Today!

Please follow these instructions and apply via email by January 31, 2026 to join.

Email: admin@albertakinesiology.ca

Subject: Regulation Task Force Application

In your email, please include:

Your resume to demonstrate all relevant skills and experience
An explanation as to why you are interested in joining the regulation task force

What happens after you apply?:

We review applications against the criteria and role needs (see below)
Shortlist candidates for a brief call
Confirm membership, onboarding, and role assignments
Begin training and participation

Terms of Reference

RTF Composition (Number of Members)

Total members: 6-10 Task Force members (target range)
Includes a mix of: experienced kinesiologists, sector representatives, and individuals with policy/health-system familiarity
At least one Board liaison to ensure alignment and governance

Mandate

The RTF exists to help the AKA engage in the following:

Regulatory Application: Prepare and submit a comprehensive application relative to the desired college structure and aligned with HPA requirements.
Alliances: Strengthen cross-sector alliances with health regulators, Alberta Health Services (AHS), Primary Care Networks (PCNs), insurers, unions, and employer groups.
Risk-of-harm model: Articulate the risk-of-harm model and demonstrate public protection benefits under a regulated framework.
Community Mobilization: Mobilize kinesiologists and allies through coordinated messaging, calls-to-action, and evidence dissemination.

All actions by the RTF reflect the core principle that "once regulated, patients always come first."

Time Commitment

Term: 6-12 months (initial term; may be extended based on progress and workload)
Meetings: 1 meeting per month (60-90 minutes)
Workload: ~2 - 4 hours per month outside meetings (varies by role)
Members can select roles that match their strengths, interests, and availability

Training Provided

All RTF members will receive onboarding and targeted training in:

Alberta healthcare system structure and decision-making pathways
Advocacy and government relations fundamentals
Messaging discipline: how to communicate regulation clearly and consistently
Relationship management: maintaining momentum with stakeholders over time

Strategic Plan Timeline Overview

The RTF supports the AKA’s 2025 - 2028 Strategic Plan, with 2026 being a key execution year.
2026 priorities include:

Launching the Regulation Task Force and aligning with national support
Engagement with government and the healthcare system
"Resilience in Motion - The Power of Kinesiology” campaign to strengthen public awareness (supports regulation)
Building stakeholder endorsements and engagement pathways

Note: The operational approach and execution plan may be refined within the RTF as stakeholder feedback and priorities evolve.

How the RTF Work Is Organized (Relationship Roles)

RTF members will contribute through one or more relationship-focused workstreams. You can choose what most interests you:

Government Relations (decision-makers, staff, policy engagement)
- Bureaucracy & System Navigation (process, pathways, administrative engagement)
- Politicians & Public Officials (MLAs, constituency engagement, advocacy moments)
- Governance & Professional Standards (public protection framing, standards, scope clarity)
AHS & PCN Relations (integration pathways and team-based care alignment)
University & Post-Secondary Relations (program alignment, workforce framing, research links)
Interprofessional Relations (colleges/associations, collaboration, scope boundaries)
Member Relations (member engagement, feedback loops, mobilization)

FAQs

What Regulation Means (For Albertans and the Health System)

What is professional regulation?

Regulation is a framework that supports public protection through defined standards, accountability, and oversight of a profession’s practice and title use.

What does regulation mean for Albertans?

Regulation supports:

Increased public confidence and clarity on professional standards
Stronger accountability and defined professional expectations
Clearer pathways for safe integration into interdisciplinary care teams
A system where patients come first, with professional responsibility for scope

Does regulation change what kinesiologists do today?

Regulation is about strengthening professional oversight and clarity, supporting safer practice, clearer team integration, and increased recognition.

Why now?

Alberta is working to modernize and stabilize its healthcare workforce and community care pathways. Regulation is a long-term structural improvement that helps ensure kinesiology can contribute safely and clearly as part of health system solutions.

How to Support (Even if You’re Not Joining the Task Force)

Members

Share feedback and questions
Participate in surveys and calls-to-action
Attend advocacy and information sessions
Help amplify accurate messaging in your networks

Allied Health (Colleges, Associations, and Providers)

We welcome allied health support to ensure kinesiology regulation strengthens collaboration and protects the public. Here is how we suggest best utilizing that interest:

Provide insight on collaboration and scope clarity: what works well in interdisciplinary care, and where role clarity is most needed
Offer letters of support or endorsements aligned to public protection and care pathway improvements
Participate in dialogue sessions with the AKA/RTF to identify shared goals (e.g., prevention, rehab access, chronic disease management)
Help identify integration opportunities where kinesiologists complement existing regulated professions without duplicating roles
Share workforce and system needs that kinesiology can help address in community care settings

Government and Public Sector Stakeholders

Start a dialogue with us or submit questions and priorities you want addressed
Identify where kinesiology can support public protection and system capacity
Provide feedback on terminology, clarity, and outcomes that matter most

Insurers and Employers

Share current coverage structures and pain points
Identify barriers to utilizing kinesiologists in benefits plans and programs
Explore how clearer scope and professional standards can support safer, more consistent service delivery