Canadian Medical Association

Canadian Medical Association

Canadian Medical Association, est 1867 by 167 doctors in Québec City. It is a voluntary federation of 10 autonomous provincial medical associations united at the national level and now represents the majority of English- and French-speaking physicians across Canada. Dr Charles Tupper was its first president.

CMA policies are arrived at after careful study by one of 3 councils, 4 statutory boards, a number of special committees and the board of directors. A final debate on major issues normally follows at the General Council (called the "Parliament of Canadian Medicine") comprising over 225 elected physicians. Wholly owned subsidiaries of the association - MD Management Ltd, MD Investment Service and Lancet Insurance Agency Ltd - operate a number of membership services programs, including a retirement savings plan, investment portfolios and a variety of professional development training programs.

Over 40 organizations representing various fields of medical specialization from sports medicine to neurology and family medicine are affiliated with the CMA. In addition, more than 30 societies, such as the Canadian Cancer Society (founded by the CMA in 1937) are associated members. The CMA Journal, published bimonthly, is the association's official publication.