Effective April 1, 2026 CASW will end offering direct individual affiliate memberships to Quebec social workers.

What is the Association québécoise des travailleuses sociales et travailleurs sociaux (AQTS)?

Established in June 2022, AQTS aims to provide social workers in Quebec with opportunities to come together and give a voice to their concerns. AQTS is a grassroots organization started by a handful of dedicated social workers in Quebec that identified the need for an association to support social workers and address issues of social justice.

How will this affect my access to CASW membership benefits, like professional liability insurance?

CASW will no longer offer affiliate memberships to social workers in Quebec.

In order to continue to access CASW member benefits, on or before your CASW annual renewal date, you are required to become a member of AQTS. In becoming a AQTS member, you will also be affiliated with CASW and access the member benefits of both organizations. 

What does this mean for my CASW membership renewal?

For those who have renewal dates in January, February, and March 2026, you may renew as normal and your CASW affiliate membership will expire the final day of your renewal month in 2027. At that time, you will be required to become a member of AQTS to continue accessing CASW member benefits.

For those who have renewal dates April 1, 2026 or later, your CASW affiliate membership will end on the final day of your renewal month in 2026. 

CASW will send an email two months prior to your renewal month, as well as the beginning of your renewal month to advise you your affiliate membership is expiring. At that time, you are required to become a member of AQTS to access the member benefits of both organizations.

What are the fees associated with AQTS membership? How can I learn more about membership benefits offered by AQTS?

AQTS is currently developing several membership categories with sliding scale fees, including for student members. For more information, visit their website here.

I am a student member of CASW - how is my membership affected?

CASW will cease to offer new student memberships as of April 1, 2026. 

Generally, CASW student memberships expire upon graduation from your social work program. This change has affected these dates and all current student memberships will expire on April 1, 2027. 

To continue to access CASW membership benefits, please review the student membership options offered by AQTS before April 1, 2027. 

What happens if I do not become a member of AQTS?

In order to continue to access CASW member benefits, on or before your CASW annual renewal date, you are required to become a member of AQTS.

Those who opt not to join AQTS will lose access to CASW membership benefits and services.

Does this affect my registration with the l’Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Quebec?

No. L’Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Quebec is the regulatory body in Quebec and has no affiliation with AQTS or the CASW federation. 

Further Questions?

Please feel free to direct any additional questions or concerns you may have to casw@casw-acts.ca.