Saskatchewan · Saskatchewan College of Psychologists

What Happens During an SKCP Investigation?

11 min readLast updated July 14, 2026

The Saskatchewan psychology system turns on one document: the Professional Conduct Committee’s written report to the Discipline Committee. It defines the charges, and a court has already quashed convictions that strayed beyond it. An investigation here can also trigger a criminal-law report to the Justice Ministry, and a finding is filed nationally with ASPPB. The stakes reach well past the College office.

The precise wording of the formal complaint defines the entire case. In Nanson, the court quashed convictions that exceeded the PCC’s charges. Cooperate on legal advice about how — and have your lawyer scrutinise the formal complaint the moment it arrives.

The Professional Conduct Committee investigates

In Saskatchewan the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) both receives and investigates written complaints. It gathers your file, the relevant records and any documentation from the complainant, and considers the matter against the two statutory heads — professional misconduct and professional incompetence under sections 25 and 26 of The Psychologists Act, 1997.

Because the PCC acts for the complainant and the public rather than for you, cooperation should always be channelled through your own legal advice. Cooperate you must — but on advice about how.

The report that defines everything: why the charge matters

This is the most important structural point in the Saskatchewan system, and it has been tested in court.

On completing its investigation, the PCC makes a written report to the Discipline Committee, setting out the formal complaint — the specific charges — it recommends be heard. That report defines the case. The Discipline Committee’s jurisdiction is bounded by it.

Why this protects you. In Nanson v Saskatchewan College of Psychologists, the Court of Queen’s Bench quashed convictions because the Discipline Committee had gone beyond the charges the PCC had actually set out in its report. The lesson for a member: the precise wording of the formal complaint matters enormously, because the College cannot convict you of something it did not properly charge. Your lawyer will scrutinise that document closely.

Interim protection of the public

Where allegations are extremely serious and there is a possibility of ongoing harm to the public, the College may apply to a court for an order prohibiting the member from certain practices, or from practising at all, during the investigation. The College itself describes this as a rare event — but it is available, and for a psychologist an interim prohibition has immediate professional and financial consequences.

The criminal-law reporting duty

One Saskatchewan feature to be aware of: where the PCC’s investigation reveals that a member has broken a criminal law, the College reports this immediately to the President of Council and to the Deputy Minister of Justice. A regulatory matter can therefore have a parallel criminal dimension — another reason to have legal advice early.

The Discipline Committee hearing

If a matter is referred, the Discipline Committee holds a formal hearing. Hearings are open to the public. The member is entitled to be represented, to hear the evidence, and to respond. Where the member admits the conduct, the hearing often proceeds on an Agreed Statement of Facts and a joint submission on penalty — and Saskatchewan courts require a discipline committee to give serious weight to a joint submission unless it is unfit, unreasonable or contrary to the public interest.

Penalties

On a finding of professional misconduct or incompetence, the Discipline Committee’s orders can include a reprimand; a requirement to complete specified education or courses; conditions on, or supervision of, practice; a fine; costs of the investigation and hearing; and suspension or cancellation of registration. Published Saskatchewan decisions show fines and mandatory courses combined with reprimands, with costs sometimes payable over time to avoid an unreasonable burden.

Publication, and the cross-border consequence

Discipline Committee decisions are commonly published on the College website, expressly to educate members and the public about the expected standards. And there is a national dimension pharmacists and dentists do not face to the same degree: results of disciplinary action are filed with the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and released to other psychology regulators if you later apply to practise in another jurisdiction. A Saskatchewan finding follows you across borders.

Appeals

A member found guilty may appeal to the College’s Council, and from Council to the Court of King’s Bench. Unlike British Columbia, which abolished its statutory court appeal in April 2026, Saskatchewan retains a route to the courts. Appeal rights are time-limited; take advice promptly.

Key takeaways

The Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) investigates against the two statutory heads \u2014 professional misconduct and professional incompetence (ss.25\u201326).
The PCC\u2019s written report to the Discipline Committee defines the charges and bounds the hearing. In Nanson, convictions were quashed for going beyond the PCC\u2019s complaint \u2014 the exact wording matters.
For extremely serious matters with possible ongoing harm, the College can seek a court order restricting or prohibiting practice during the investigation \u2014 described as rare.
If the investigation reveals a criminal-law breach, the College reports it to the President of Council and the Deputy Minister of Justice.
Discipline hearings are open to the public; admissions often proceed on an Agreed Statement of Facts and a joint submission, to which courts require serious weight.
Decisions are published to educate, and results are filed with ASPPB and released to other psychology regulators \u2014 a Saskatchewan finding follows you across jurisdictions. Appeals run to Council then the Court of King\u2019s Bench.

Related courses

Practical, self-paced CPD courses that map onto the issues in this guide. These are educational courses. They are not accredited by the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists and are not a substitute for legal advice.

Dealing With a Complaint or Investigation Professionally

How to conduct yourself through an investigation, on the record and under scrutiny.

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Probity and Honesty for Healthcare Professionals

Honesty and candour under investigation. Concealment turns a care issue into a probity finding.

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Documentation for Healthcare Professionals

What investigators look for in clinical records and test data, and what strong documentation protects.

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Professionalism and Professional Standards for Psychologists

The professional standards expected of registered psychologists.

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Continue reading: Saskatchewan psychologists

How to respond to an SKCP complaint Remediation and reflection for Saskatchewan psychologists

Frequently asked questions

Who investigates a complaint against me?

The Professional Conduct Committee (PCC), which both receives and investigates written complaints against the two statutory heads of professional misconduct and professional incompetence. Because the PCC acts for the complainant and the public rather than for you, you should cooperate on the basis of your own legal advice about how to respond.

Why does the wording of the formal complaint matter so much?

Because it defines and limits the case. On completing its investigation the PCC makes a written report to the Discipline Committee setting out the formal complaint it recommends be heard, and that report bounds the Committee’s jurisdiction. In Nanson v Saskatchewan College of Psychologists, the Court of Queen’s Bench quashed convictions because the Discipline Committee had gone beyond the charges the PCC actually set out. Your lawyer will examine that document closely.

Can I be stopped from practising during the investigation?

Only in serious cases, and the College describes it as rare. Where allegations are extremely serious and there is a possibility of ongoing harm to the public, the College may apply to a court for an order restricting or prohibiting the member’s practice during the investigation. For a psychologist, such an order has immediate professional and financial consequences.

What happens if the investigation uncovers a criminal matter?

The College reports it. Where the PCC’s investigation reveals that a member has broken a criminal law, the College immediately reports this to the President of the Council and to the Deputy Minister of Justice. A regulatory complaint can therefore have a parallel criminal dimension, which is a further reason to obtain legal advice early.

Will a finding against me affect practice in another province?

Yes, potentially. Results of disciplinary action by the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists are filed with the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and released to other psychology regulators if you apply to practise in another jurisdiction. Unlike a purely local record, a Saskatchewan psychology finding can follow you across borders.

Can I appeal a Discipline Committee decision?

Yes. A member found guilty of professional misconduct or incompetence may appeal to the College’s Council, and from Council to the Court of King’s Bench. Saskatchewan retains this court route, unlike British Columbia, which abolished its statutory court appeal in April 2026. Appeal periods are time-limited, so act promptly on legal advice.

This article is general information for psychologists registered with the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists and does not constitute legal advice. Regulatory processes and the law change, and every case turns on its own facts. If you are the subject of a complaint or investigation, obtain advice from a lawyer experienced in professional regulation, and notify your professional liability insurer, before you respond. Last updated July 14, 2026.