{"id":5472,"date":"2025-02-26T12:12:51","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T17:12:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coto.org\/?page_id=5472"},"modified":"2026-03-10T15:33:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T19:33:28","slug":"sociodemographic-data-collection-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.coto.org\/registrants\/registration-services\/sociodemographic-data-collection-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Sociodemographic Data Collection FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Annual registration renewal will open on April 1, 2026. Last year, COTO began asking occupational therapists to voluntarily share their racialized group data during Annual Renewal. A diverse and representative health workforce is widely recognized as a strategy to help reduce inequities that affect both patients and providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With guidance from our Equity Perspectives Advisory Committee; our Indigenous Insights Advisory Committee, and our Board, this data will help us to continue to build a clear picture of the diversity within Ontario\u2019s occupational therapy profession in 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These questions are about racialized group identity and are structured according to the data set created by the\u00a0Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI)<\/a>. Anonymous, aggregate data will be shared with CIHI to assist with their development of the profile of Canadian occupational therapists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participation is voluntary.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This work aligns with COTO\u2019s commitment to EDI and the strategic priority of integrating the practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the College and profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2022, COTO began including voluntary demographic questions in our application and renewal forms. These questions help us gather information from applicants and registrants about their identity along two diversity dimensions: Indigenous identity and gender identity.\u00a0Last year, COTO added racialized group identity. This data will help build an understanding of demographic trends in the profession and guide efforts to improve equity and inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summarized and anonymous information will be used for statistical purposes such as reports, analyses and studies, and to provide information about group representation in the profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data is collected at annual renewal, including demographic, practice and education information. Much of this information is required by the Ontario government. The Ministry of Health collects the same information from all regulated health professionals to help with health human resource planning. All data is submitted to these organizations anonymously to protect privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We understand you may have questions about the additions, your participation, and the use of your data. We hope the information below is helpful. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We know that collection and use of data is a sensitive topic and our approach may need to be refined. If you have suggestions or comments, we would like to hear them. You can email practice@coto.org<\/a>, or call 416-214-1177 ext.240.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For more information, view COTO’s Sociodemographic Data Collection and Use Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Definitions<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
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What is sociodemographic data?<\/div>\n
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Sociodemographic data is information covering a wide range of characteristics, including but not limited to age, sex, gender, racialized group, ethnicity, and geographic location.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

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What is a racialized group?<\/div>\n
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A racialized group is used to describe those affected by racism. Racialized groups can encounter a range of racism, which can overlap or intersect with other social, ethnic or cultural groupings including Indigenous identity.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

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What is Indigenous identity?<\/div>\n
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Indigenous identity refers to whether a person identifies with the Indigenous peoples of Canada. This includes those who identify as First Nations (North American Indian), M\u00e9tis and\/or Inuk (Inuit), and\/or those who report being Registered or Treaty Indians (that is, registered under the Indian Act of Canada), and\/or those who have membership in a First Nation or Indian band. Aboriginal peoples of Canada (referred to here as Indigenous peoples) are defined in the Constitution Act, 1982, Section 35 (2) as including the Indian, Inuit and M\u00e9tis peoples of Canada.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Purpose<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Why is COTO collecting this information?<\/div>\n
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