The Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA) is a federal organization that oversees all the provincial human resources associations in Canada. Although there is no direct link with HR professionals, its role is still central, because it is in charge of representing them nationally and internationally. The following is a brief overview of its functions…
Its role
The CCHRA was founded in 1994 by all the Canadian human resources management associations in response to a need for the national harmonization of the profession’s standards. Its mandate is to be the single voice on HR issues in the country. It is responsible for establishing and guaranteeing the application of human resources standards and certification, fostering communication among participating associations, and representing the profession to the federal government. It is also active in international associations: North American Human Resource Management Association (NAHRMA) and the World Federation of Personnel Management Associations (WFPMA).
The CCHRA represents more than 33,000 human resources and industrial relations practitioners, including 17,000 Certified Human Resources Professionals (CHRPs).
Member associations
The CCHRA does not manage any professional directly; its members are the provincial associations who in turn are responsible for practitioner management.
The CCHRA has nine member associations who grant the CHRP designation. They include HRIA (Human Resources Institute of Alberta), BC HRMA (British Columbia Human Resources Management Association), HRMAM (Human Resource Management Association of Manitoba), HRANB (Human Resources Association of New Brunswick), HRPNL (Human Resources Professionals Association of Newfoundland and Labrador), HRANS (Human Resource Association of Nova Scotia ), HRPAO (Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario), ORHRI (Ordre des CRHA et CRIA du Québec) and SAHRP (Saskatchewan Association of Human Resource Associations).
In general, the CCHRA handles national issues and establishes standards, while member associations are responsible for provincial matters and day-to-day management. In Canada, HR professionals are therefore represented federally and provincially. For example, the CCHRA develops and updates the exams for the Certified Human Resources Professional designation, while the provincial associations administer them.
Its accomplishments
The general public is not very familiar with the CCHRA’s contributions. Here are some examples:
– One of the first actions of the CCHRA was to set up the Required Professional Capabilities (RPC), a list of more than 200 skills that form a common body of knowledge in human resources and industrial relations. The CCHRA updates them regularly.
– In June 2006, the CCHRA ratified its National Code of Ethics for Certified Human Resources Professionals (CHRPs), CHRP candidates, and exam registrants. The Code aims to ensure fairness, justice, truthfulness, and social responsibility in the exercise of the profession.
– In 2005, the CCHRA helped develop a guide on the National Occupational Classification (NOC), in collaboration with Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC). Intended for employers and HR professionals in Canada, the guide explains how to use this national classification in human resources management.
- A partnership has been forged with the Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation (CWGHR), a national not-for-profit organization promoting rehabilitation in the context of episodic illnesses. The CCHRA organized a study with HR and industrial relations professionals to help draft recommendations on this issue to the federal government.
– Among ongoing initiatives, a working group has been formed to assist with the examination of labour standards at the federal level.
Its organization
The Executive Committee comprises four members elected for two-year terms. Its president is Diane Wiesenthal, who also heads the Human Resources Management Association of Manitoba (HRMAM). The Board works in collaboration with volunteer committees across Canada.
The Board of Directors includes the presidents of the provincial associations. It meets three times a year.
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Shedding light on CCHRA, CHRP, WFPMA, and more. . .
– CCHRA: Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA)
– CHRP: Certified Human Resources Professional => certification established by the CCHRA and delivered by the provincial associations
– RPC: Required Professional Capabilities = > human resources and industrial relations knowledge base
– WFPMA: World Federation of Personnel Management Associations
– NAHRMA: North American Human Resource Management Association