Investigating Physician-related Complaints

Noreen Gaudet
Director, Professional Conduct

Physicians are held accountable to the public and the profession through the investigation of complaints. Both the public and physicians look to the College to uphold the standards of the profession and to maintain their collective confidence in the practice of medicine.

Investigating complaints is challenging work.  It is emotionally charged and adversarial, often undertaken against a backdrop of tragedy, and always involving high-stakes decision-making. 

Investigating complaints is challenging work. It is emotionally charged and adversarial, often undertaken against a backdrop of tragedy, and always involving high-stakes decision-making.


Investigating complaints is challenging work.  It is emotionally charged and adversarial, often undertaken against a backdrop of tragedy, and always involving high-stakes decision-making. 


The process continues to grow more contentious each year, resulting in escalating costs associated with the investigation and resolution of complaints. This trend is happening across the country. Although the vast majority of cases are still resolved by the Registrar or subsequently by decision of an investigation committee, in 2019, the College conducted six hearings.

The bulk of the investigative work is carried out by physicians and members of the public, through their work on investigation committees. They receive training to undertake this important work and are supported by our staff and legal counsel. The issues before them are complex, requiring a significant level of dedication, acute attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to due process and fairness. The College wishes to express gratitude to the committees that undertake this difficult work. Our sincere appreciation also goes to the public who continue to step forward and participate in the complaint process. All play an essential role in the regulation of the medical profession.

In 2019, the Canadian Centre for Legal Innovation in Sexual Assault Response (CCLISAR) completed its independent review of the College’s processes regarding the investigation of sexual misconduct complaints against physicians.

The College opened up its process to external experts for review. The aim of the review was to remove any barriers to reporting sexual misconduct and to reduce the unintended harms that can occur when investigating such allegations. The College has implemented the majority of the recommendations, while the remaining are in progress. All of the recommendations emphasized embedding a trauma-informed approach throughout the entire process.

Complaint Statistics

Total Complaints Received

Outcomes of Complaints Closed in 2019

Dismissed by Registrar 94
Dismissed by Investigation Committee 58
Dismissed with Advice 35
Caution22
Withdrawn 13
Caution with Follow-up Assessment 6
Consensual Retirement 6
Suspension (Hearing Decision) 6
Consensual Reprimand 5
Informal Resolution 3
TOTAL COMPLAINTS CLOSED IN 2019 248

2019 Closed Complaints by Primary Category