CAO Membership
CAO is the professional association that represents Doctors of Optometry in Canada. It is also the national federation of ten provincial associations of optometrists and represents over 3,600 members across Canada. Optometrists become members of CAO when they join their provincial association. If you are a Doctor of Optometry in Canada and not currently a member of CAO, please contact your provincial association or the CAO office for more information. Membership is required for all CAO programs.
CAO also has a membership for Optometry Students. If you are enrolled in a School of Optometry in Canada or the United States, contact the CAO office for an application form. There is no fee for student members.
In addition to the benefits a practitioner derives from membership in a provincial optometric Association, membership in the CAO offers many advantages:
- Political Action, Advocacy and Government Liaison
- Public Relations (including the Eye Health Council of Canada)
- Human Resources and Economics
- Professional Development, Education and Research
- Publications
- Member Benefits and Discount Programs
- Public and Member Web Sites
- Eye Health Month
- Optometric Assistant's Course
- Occupational Vision Plan
- National Clearing House of Information
CAO has alliances with a number of organizations, with special rates and discounts to practitioners who are members of CAO. These include:
Insurance and Banking
- Scotiabank (for CAO members and Optometric Students)
- Professional Liability Insurance (not applicable in Ontario and Quebec where provincial programs are available)
- Home and Auto Insurance
- Group Health
- Merchant Credit Cards (Visa and Mastercard)
Discount Programs
- Private Label Dress Frame Program (Centennial Optical)
- Telephone On-Hold
- Car Rental
Detailed information about the programs is posted on the CAO member only website. Login and learn more.
