15 | CVO ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Transition Council
Through the Veterinary Professionals Act, the Transition Council has the authority to propose regulations and determine the By-Laws and standards that will come into effect with the establishment of the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario. Charged with this substantial task, the Transition Council has a significant workload and meeting schedule. Since being established in August 2024, the Transition Council has had 14 meetings, with seven of those meetings held in 2025.
Who is on Transition Council
The Transition Council includes 18 members of the CVO Council, now referenced as the Legacy Council, and three Registered Veterinary Technicians( RVT), appointed by the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians.
Members of the Transition Council have a broad range of backgrounds in veterinary medicine with experience in practice ownership, shelter medicine, and corporate and independent practice. There are individuals who are working as associates and locum veterinarians, as well as in academia, public practice, and industry. Public representatives have extensive experience in regulatory environments and in public service. The Transition Council’ s diversity and depth have it well-equipped to serve the public interest as it fulfills its mandate of establishing the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.
Transition Council Chair
Catherine Knipe Transition Council Chair
Catherine Knipe is the Chair of the Transition Council. Catherine was appointed to the College of Veterinarians of Ontario in the fall of 2020 by the provincial government. She was elected to Chair the Transition Council in August 2024.
Throughout her professional career, Catherine has held leadership roles in health care, including public health, provincial policy and program development, regional health delivery and in an advisory role to a provincial Minister of Health. She currently owns a consultancy focused on delivering global technology solutions.