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All physicians and surgeons who are licensed to practise in British Columbia are registrants of CPSBC. We investigate all complaints against registrants.

Personal pronouns are words used to refer to a person instead of their name. Using the correct pronouns is a form of respect and affirmation.

Common pronouns:

• she/her/hers – often used by women or feminine-identifying people
• he/him/his – often used by men or masculine-identifying people
• they/them/theirs – used by many nonbinary, genderqueer, or gender diverse people

There is no time limit

A complaint can be submitted at any time. However, the longer it’s been since the incident, the harder it can be to investigate and resolve things.

Physicians are only required to keep an adult patient’s medical records for 16 years after the last entry, or 16 years after the patient turns 19—whichever comes later.

We strongly encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. Acting early makes it more likely that:

• important documents are still available
• witnesses can be found
• people’s memories are clearer
• key evidence hasn’t been lost

We’re here to help—getting in touch sooner gives us the best chance to do that.

There is no age limit

Anyone can file a complaint as a patient, parent, family member, or any concerned individual.

If you are filing on behalf of someone else (e.g., a child), you must provide consent through the Authorization for Representation form. If the patient cannot give consent, a representation agreement is acceptable.

Complaints involving children and youth

We are actively working to support complaints from children and youth who are under the age of 19.

In 2022, we conducted research focused on improving the experience for children and youth filing complaints.

Learn more about the progress

Complaints are not anonymous

We will keep your information safe. We do not share your name with anyone except with the parties involved (e.g. the physician or surgeon you mentioned in your complaint). 

Any information you provide, including your name, contact details, and information about your complaint, will be collected to help us review your complaint. The information we hold about you is protected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

We give the physician or surgeon a copy of your complaint

This helps the physician or surgeon learn what concerns were raised and have a chance to share their side of the story.

Yes, you can file a complaint as a parent, family member, or any concerned individual.

If you're filing on behalf of someone else (e.g., a child), you must provide consent through the Authorization for Representation form. If the patient cannot give consent, a representation agreement is acceptable.

The Authorization for Representation form is specific to the CPSBC complaint process. It is used when someone files a complaint on behalf of another person. 

If you are filing a complaint for someone else who can consent, you must complete the Authorization for Representation form.

If the person cannot consent, a representation agreement is acceptable. 

The representation agreement is a legal document under BC's that that allows someone (the representative) to act on their behalf.

Do you have questions on what to provide as a representative? 

Call 604-733-7758 (toll-free 1-800-461-3008), press "4" and ask to speak to a complaint navigator. You can also email complaints@cpsbc.ca.

You can type out your full name on the form. This counts as your signature.

We accept handwritten and electronic signatures.

• handwritten (wet) signatures - pen on paper
• electronic signatures (e-signatures) - typing your name, using a stylus or finger to sign on a screen, or clicking "I agree"