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Ethics

Ethical standards are a key element that distinguishes professionals from non-professionals. Professionals subscribe to ethical standards and hold themselves accountable to the public based on their adopted principles and responsibilities. On behalf of CIP and its Affiliates, the National/Affiliate Membership Committee has developed new ethics standards, which have been endorsed by the Affiliates.

Current Situation

CIP's current Statement of Values and Code serves as a source of inspiration and guidance for professional planners in Canada, and the Code of Professional Practice forms the basis of planning practice by members. The Code is enforceable through disciplinary provisions of the national membership bylaw or through the complementary codes of professional practice and bylaws as adopted by the Affiliates.

In some cases Affiliates have endorsed the CIP documents verbatim, and in other cases some modifications are made. While each Affiliate has the authority to establish its own code, it is in the best interest of the profession to align the codes. Otherwise, questions could arise as to: Why do you have to comply with certain provisions in one province and not another? Why are they not the same? Shouldn't a profession's standards be uniform throughout the country?

At present, some members could obtain their professional certification without learning about ethics or without reading and agreeing to comply with the codes established by their Affiliates.

Differences also exist between the Affiliate processes for disciplinary activity, which in some cases is spelled out in regulations, and there appears to be no common approach to the disclosure of decisions made regarding complaints.

New Horizon

The Ethical Standards Task Force has developed a Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct that have been endorsed by Affiliates. The Affiliates will be amending their bylaws to reflect the new codes, which will strengthen ethical policy and practices for the profession in Canada.

All new CIP members will be required to sign a section on the membership application form indicating that:

• they will comply with the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct;
• they have read and understand the content;
• there is nothing in their previous conduct that would cause them to be unsuitable for membership; and
• it is their intention to remain in compliance.

In addition, Affiliates are encouraged to annually require members to sign the membership dues invoice indicating that they are in compliance with the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct, and it is their intent to continue to remain in compliance.

A Professionalism and Ethics course will be included in the Professional Education Program. While this course won't be mandatory for existing members, they will be encouraged to take the course to update their knowledge.

Click HERE to view the full report from the Ethics Standards Task Force.