Category: Regular Columns

Diana acknowledges that, for many of us, the start of this year feels ominously like the last. While mustering hope, energy, and optimism for the future has gotten more and more difficult, she encourages readers to take a moment to remember how much we’ve overcome.

After enjoying the holiday break and spending time with family, Grant is thinking about his plans for the upcoming year. The plans have been made, but amid the uncertainty of living with COVID, the implementation is not quite so clear. Perhaps that’s why he’s identified change as a theme for this first issue of the Bulletin for 2022.

It has taken me longer to write this message than I’m willing to admit. (Sorry Dave.) I kept thinking I needed to share some great nugget of wisdom to mark my transition to the role of president.

I’ve been keeping my fingers crossed all year hoping to avoid it, but it’s finally happened—we’re having a virtual Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) inspection at my workplace, University Health Network.

It’s mid-May, and South Texas is experiencing a cool, refreshing 15°C morning (by Texas standards). I hope you’re keeping well in these strange times!

COVID-19 has dominated every facet of our lives for over 16 months now. CRPA has had to hold two annual general meetings virtually, cancel our annual conference for a second time, extend the qualification period for the CRPA(R) certified members, and adapt to the “new normal.”

I hope you’re all safe and healthy—both physically and mentally. It’s been my pleasure to be your first distanced president.

It’s been over a year since the pandemic was declared and, as we’re all well aware, many things have changed as a result. This is the third editorial I’ve written in which I’ve referenced the pandemic and, I have to admit, I’m having second thoughts about bringing it up again when we’re all suffering pandemic fatigue.

Despite the pandemic, the CRPA board of directors continued their work. Phrases like “virtual professional development courses” and “You’re on mute” have now become part of CRPA’s lexicon.

What a year this past year has been! Our first holiday season during the pandemic provided a bit more time than usual for quiet reflection due to the limitations on gatherings.

I hope you are keeping well in these strange times. I’m really missing Tim Hortons, and it doesn’t look like we Yanks are going to be allowed into the Great White North (cue Doug McKenzie singing the SCTV theme song) anytime soon.