Mission Statement

The Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology (CSSO) is an organization made up of surgical oncologists and general surgeons across Canada that are dedicated to improving Cancer Care in Canada. They do this by performing the following:

• Facilitating communication between surgeons whose primary interest lies in the field of oncology.

• Encouraging the formation of surgical oncology training programs in surgical departments in Canadian universities.

• Promoting the optimum treatment of the patient with cancer through a multi-disciplinary treatment approach.

• Cooperating with other organizations, including the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), the Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS), The Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) and Canadian Oncology Societies (COS) in activities designed to achieve these objectives.

• Fostering the development of education in cancer, for both graduate, undergraduate and continuing medical education.

• Encouraging the development of research in oncologic surgery.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSIVITY

Non-discrimination Statement

The Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology (CSSO) is deeply committed to the values of diversity, inclusion, and respect. We condemn racism, discrimination, and harassment in all forms. Our individual and shared responsibility as surgeons is to promote and protect the health and welfare of all Canadians. Surgical Oncologists provide care to patients across Canada and have a collective duty to eliminate the impacts of systemic inequalities, racism, and bigotry on the lives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour across the country. Whether it effects our patients and their families, our colleagues, or our trainees, we acknowledge our responsibility to listen and learn. We must all recognize and challenge those behaviours and practices that threaten our values of equity, diversity, and inclusivity, including racism and other forms of prejudice.

We are committed to ensuring nominations to leadership roles within the CSSO, the selection of our speakers and trainers, and our efforts to attract new members take into consideration the steps necessary to ensure our leadership, faculty, and membership are representative of the surgical oncology community and the diverse voices among surgeons in Canada and are heard and taken into consideration in our decision-making processes.

As Surgical Oncologists in Canada, we are committed to standing against all discrimination, whether it be based on skin colour, ethnicity, poverty, geography, or differences in language, sexual orientation and gender identity, sexuality, or religion.

We are committed to using our positions as healers and the place of privilege this allows us to enjoy; to listen and learn from all those affected by systemic inequality and to doing better.

CSSO Board of Directors
August 2023