Think the CMPA Has You Fully Covered?
Think Again.
When College Complaints Arise, the CMPA’s Support Is Limited and Discretionary
Many physicians assume the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) will automatically defend them against any College complaint or investigation. This assumption can leave you vulnerable when you need support most.
The Reality of CMPA Coverage
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The CMPA primarily focuses on medico-legal issues stemming from clinical practice. However, many legal challenges physicians face may fall outside this scope, leaving critical gaps in protection:
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Professional conduct: Complaints about discipline, workplace behaviour, disputes with colleagues typically fall outside CMPA assistance.
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Administrative Matters: Issues related to billing practices, record-keeping, or regulatory compliance are often excluded.
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Personal Issues: Legal challenges unrelated to patient care, such as tax disputes or employment conflicts are not covered.
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The CMPA explicitly states that their assistance is:
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Discretionary *1, 2
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Determined on a case-by-case basis *1
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Primarily focused on medico-legal issues arising from clinical practice *1, 2
Unless your complaint directly involves allegations of medical negligence or malpractice, you may find yourself navigating complex legal waters alone—without the support you thought you had.​ Complaints related to administrative matters, professional conduct, or personal issues often fall outside their scope of assistance.​​​​
Why CMPA Support May Not Be Enough
A. Discretionary Assistance
The CMPA evaluates each case individually, offering no guarantee of support for all College complaints. This leaves you uncertain about your protection until after a complaint arises. *1, 2
B. Limited Scope
CMPA assistance generally covers issues directly tied to clinical practice (medical negligence or malpractice). However, many professional challenges fall outside this narrow focus *1, 2
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Administrative duties
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Business practices
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Professional conduct
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Personal issues
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Bridging the Gap
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DefenseMD complements the CMPA's coverage by addressing the critical gaps in their protection while offering comprehensive support to healthcare professionals. With DefenseMD, members benefit from:
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*1. “The assistance the CMPA provides to its members is discretionary, and the determination as to eligibility for assistance will depend on the facts and circumstances of any given case. For these reasons, such a determination is not generally made in advance of the onset of medical-legal difficulties. In general, however, members are eligible for the CMPA's assistance in the event of medical-legal difficulty arising out of the clinical practice of medicine. A member's eligibility for assistance from the CMPA will, to some extent, depend on whether they were providing medical input when engaged in the activity that forms the subject of the action.”
*2. “The CMPA will generally exercise its discretion to provide assistance to members facing complaints and disciplinary proceedings at a regulatory College, or a health authority or hospital where the allegations arise from medical professional work. The CMPA does not pay costs or fines arising from such proceedings.”