Saskatchewan · Chiropractors’ Association of Saskatchewan
How to respond to a CAS complaint
A complaint to the Chiropractors’ Association of Saskatchewan is handled under The Chiropractic Act, 1994 — not by an informal chat with the office. The single thing that changes how you should act is this: your first written response becomes part of the record the Investigation Committee relies on, so treat it as a formal document from the outset, not a quick email.
Before you write a word back Contact the Canadian Chiropractic Protective Association (CCPA) and, if your matter is serious, a regulatory lawyer, before you send any substantive reply. Do not phone the complainant, do not alter or “tidy” the clinical record, and do not treat the acknowledgement letter as an invitation to argue. A measured, dated, factual response protects you far more than a fast one.
Who the CAS is, and why the wording matters
The Chiropractors’ Association of Saskatchewan is the statutory regulator for chiropractic in the province. It licenses and regulates chiropractors and holds the mandate to protect the public interest under The Chiropractic Act, 1994. Saskatchewan regulates chiropractors through an association rather than a College — the same model Manitoba uses — but the CAS holds full statutory disciplinary powers, so a complaint here carries the same weight as one to a College elsewhere.
Because the CAS both represents and regulates the profession, keep your correspondence strictly on the complaint. This is a regulatory process governed by the Act, not a membership dispute.
How a complaint reaches you
A complaint is made in writing to the Registrar. The Registrar appoints a Complaint Chair on a rotating basis, and the matter is placed before the Investigation Committee, which is constituted under section 28 of the Act. The Committee acknowledges the complaint to the complainant in writing and advises you, the member, by letter that a complaint has been received against you.
That letter is the trigger. It will usually set out the substance of the allegation and invite your written response. Read it slowly, note every date it contains, and diarise any deadline it gives you before you do anything else.
Your first move: preserve, don’t fix
The most damaging mistakes are made in the first 48 hours. Secure a complete, unaltered copy of the patient file exactly as it stood when the events occurred. Do not add retrospective notes, do not “clarify” entries, and do not delete anything. If you genuinely need to add context, make a clearly dated later entry that says so — never edit an existing one. The integrity of the record is often what a case turns on, and a file that looks tampered with converts a defensible complaint into a probity problem.
Notify the CCPA before you respond
The Canadian Chiropractic Protective Association is the indemnity and defence body for chiropractors, and it is your first call — the equivalent of what the CMPA is for physicians. Report the complaint promptly; late notification can complicate the assistance available to you. The CCPA can help you frame a response, and for anything involving alleged sexual impropriety, dishonesty, a criminal matter, or a serious clinical harm, you should also instruct a regulatory lawyer.
Writing the response the Committee will actually read
Answer the allegation that was made, point by point, in a calm and structured way. State the facts, refer to the contemporaneous record, and where you accept something, say so plainly — unreserved acknowledgement of a genuine error reads far better than a defensive denial that the file contradicts. Avoid blaming the patient, avoid speculation about their motives, and do not pad the letter with irrelevant history.
Under Saskatchewan’s chiropractic rules you must obtain informed consent in writing, so if consent is in issue, address it squarely and attach the signed form. Keep a copy of everything you send, and submit within the time the Committee has set.
What the Investigation Committee does next
The Investigation Committee reviews and investigates every complaint alleging professional misconduct or professional incompetence. It may seek documents, ask further questions, and ultimately prepares a written report with its recommendations, which goes to the Discipline Committee, the Board, the complainant, and you. The Committee can resolve some matters itself, or it can refer the complaint to a hearing before the Discipline Committee. Understanding that the investigation is a distinct, earlier stage — covered in detail in the companion guide — helps you pitch your response correctly.
Common missteps to avoid
Do not contact the complainant to “sort it out.” Do not miss the response deadline. Do not send an angry or dismissive letter. Do not treat a patient’s clinical relationship as a reason to breach confidentiality in your reply — disclose only what is necessary to answer the allegation. And do not assume a minor complaint will simply go away; even matters that end in advice or a caution are handled through the statutory process and can appear on the record.
Key takeaways
- The CAS regulates chiropractors under The Chiropractic Act, 1994 with full statutory disciplinary powers, despite being an association rather than a College.
- Complaints are made in writing to the Registrar and placed before the Investigation Committee, constituted under section 28.
- Your first written response becomes part of the record — treat it as a formal document, not a quick email.
- Secure the complete, unaltered patient file immediately; never edit existing entries.
- Notify the CCPA before you reply, and instruct a regulatory lawyer for any serious allegation.
- Never contact the complainant directly, and disclose only what is necessary to answer the allegation.
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Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to respond to a CAS complaint?
The Investigation Committee’s letter sets the timeframe for your written response. Read it carefully, diarise the date, and if you need more time, request it in writing before the deadline rather than simply missing it.
Should I call the patient who complained?
No. Contacting the complainant during a live complaint can itself become a further allegation. Direct all communication through the CAS process and, where appropriate, your CCPA representative or lawyer.
Do I have to tell the CCPA about a complaint?
You should report it promptly. The Canadian Chiropractic Protective Association is the indemnity and defence body for chiropractors and can assist with your response; late notification may complicate the help available to you.
Can I correct my patient notes before I send them in?
No. Never alter existing entries. If context genuinely needs adding, make a clearly dated later note that identifies it as such. A file that appears edited turns a clinical complaint into a probity concern.
Will the complaint appear on my public record?
It depends on the outcome. Many complaints are resolved without a public sanction, but discipline outcomes are published by the CAS. Your response is aimed at achieving the least serious, and least public, disposition available.
Is the CAS a College?
No. Saskatchewan regulates chiropractors through the Chiropractors’ Association of Saskatchewan rather than a College, but the Association holds full statutory disciplinary powers under The Chiropractic Act, 1994.
This guide is general information about the regulation of chiropractors by the Chiropractors’ Association of Saskatchewan under The Chiropractic Act, 1994. It is not legal advice and does not create a professional relationship. For advice on a specific complaint or investigation, contact the Canadian Chiropractic Protective Association (CCPA) or a regulatory lawyer. Last updated July 15, 2026.