Legacy Council
The Legacy Council and its committees meet regularly throughout the year to make decisions concerning the College’s policy work and initiatives which enable it to meet its mandate of protecting and serving the public interest. Council meetings are open the public.
Members of the Legacy Council
Dr. Jessica Retterath, President (she/her)
Dr. Louise Kelly, 1st Vice-President (she/her)
Dr. Lena Levison, 2nd Vice-President
Dr. Patricia Alderson
Dr. Kathleen Day Dunbar
Mr. John de Bruyn
Ms. Cathy Hecimovich (she/her)
Ms. Catherine Knipe (she/her)
Dr. Clayton MacKay (he/him)
Dr. Sean Marshall
Dr. Alana Parisi
Dr. Sami Qureshi (he/him)
Douglas Reynolds (he/him)
Ms. Rena Spevack (she/her)
Dr. Yashvir Varma (he/him)
Dr. Wade Wright (he/him)
Dr. Michael Zigler (he/him)
Transition Council
The Veterinary Professionals Act, approved in the Ontario 
legislature in June, established the Transition Council and provides them with the ability to determine regulations, by-laws and standards that will come into effect with the establishment of the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario. The Transition Council includes members of the Legacy Council and three Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT), appointed by the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians.
Members of the Transition Council
Ms. Catherine Knipe, Chair
Dr. Wade Wright, Vice-Chair (he/him)
Dr. Patricia Alderson
Kirsti Clarida, RVT
Mr. John de Bruyn
Dr. Kathleen Day Dunbar
Ms. Cathy Hecimovich (she/her)
Dr. Louise Kelly (she/her)
Lisa Langton, RVT
Dr. Lena Levison (she/her)
Dr. Clayton MacKay (he/him)
Dr. Sean Marshall
Phil Nichols, RVT
Dr. Alana Parisi
Dr. Sami Qureshi (he/him)
Dr. Jessica Retterath (she/her)
Douglas Reynolds (he/him)
Ms. Rena Spevack (she/her)
Dr. Yashvir Varma (he/him)
Dr. Michael Zigler (he/him)
Committees
Committees support the Legacy Council’s work. The College has five statutory Committees (required by legislation) and two non-statutory Committees (created by the College). Committees are established at the Annual Council Meeting in December and are made up of Council and non-Council Committee members. As well as policy work, certain Committees deal with matters related to the conduct of individual veterinarians.
Role of the Council
Legacy Council: The Legacy Council regulates the practice of veterinary medicine in Ontario to protect the public interest. It is made up of 11 veterinarians from regions across the province, one academic representative, one representative of federally employed veterinarians and five public members appointed by the provincial government. Legacy Council members are elected for three-year terms and are expected to attend meetings and serve on a statutory committee.
Transition Council: The Transition Council, established in August 2024, has the ability to determine regulations, by-laws and standards that will come into effect with the establishment of the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.
Council sets the College’s strategic objectives and policy direction, while the College’s staff, led by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, carries out the day-to-day operations of the College. Council meetings are open to the public.
