Table of Contents

A. Code of Ethics

B. How to Register a Complaint

C. Complaint Procedure

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A. Code of Ethics Preamble

The Humanist Association of Canada strives to honour the public trust in Humanist Officiants by setting standards for ethical practice as described in this Code of Ethics. These ethical standards, which define professional expectations, are binding on Humanist Officiants, and enforced by the Officiants Program Committee-Ontario (OPC-O), a committee of the Board of Directors of the Humanist Association of Canada. The absence of an explicit reference to a specific behaviour or situation in the Code does not mean that the behaviour is ethical or unethical. These standards are not exhaustive. Officiants who are uncertain about the ethics of a particular course of action are encouraged to seek counsel from the Chair, Ethics and Complaints Sub-Committee of the OPC-O.

Principle 1: Responsibilities to Clients

1.1
Humanist Officiants do not discriminate based on sexual orientation, race, age, ethnicity, disability, gender, health status, or national origin, but will refuse service if religious content in a ceremony, such as, but not limited to, reference to a deity, is requested.

1.2
Humanist Officiants demonstrate respect toward clients and others without regard to sexual orientation, race, age, ethnicity, disability, gender, health status, national origin or religious affiliation.

1.3
Humanist Officiants provide clients with accurate and complete information regarding the extent, nature, and limitations of their services.

1.4
Humanist Officiants deliver their services and respond to client queries, concerns, and/or complaints in a timely and reasonable manner.

1.5
Beyond charging an agreed upon fee for services, Humanist Officiants never use their relationship with clients for their own advantage or personal gain.

1.6
Humanist Officiants obtain documentation or a signed agreement for all services to be rendered.

1.7
Humanist Officiants comply with all applicable laws; such as, but not necessarily limited to the Marriage Act and the Income Tax Act.

1.8
Unless professionally qualified to do so, and in a contracted counselling relationship, Humanist Officiants refrain from offering counsel or advice, and do not engage in ministerial or chaplaincy functions.

1.9
Humanist Officiants do not engage clients or former clients in physical sexual relations, touching of a sexual nature, or behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature.

Principle 2: Confidentiality

2.1
Humanist Officiants respect the confidences of clients and their families.

2.2
A Humanist Officiant whose license is revoked or who discontinues services shall turn over his or her Marriage Register(s) to the Humanist Association of Canada.

Principle 3: Competence and Integrity

3.1
Humanist Officiants commit themselves to maintaining competence as officiants.

3.2
Humanist Officiants seek appropriate assistance for their personal problems or conflicts, which may impair their functioning as officiants.

3.3
Humanist Officiants maintain accurate financial records including but not necessarily limited to statements of income and expenses related to their activities as officiants.

3.4
Humanist Officiants do not engage in sexual or other forms of harassment of clients or former clients.

3.5
Humanist Officiants are in violation of this Code and subject to disciplinary action up to and including revocation of their license if they are convicted of any felony; engage in conduct which could lead to conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor related to their qualifications or functions; continue to officiate while no longer competent to do so because they are impaired by physical or mental causes or the abuse of alcohol or other substances; or fail to cooperate with the OPC-O at any point from the inception of an ethical or other complaint through the completion of all proceedings and resolutions of the complaint.

3.6
Officiants shall maintain proper dress and deportment that respects the dignity of the office.

Principle 4: Responsibilities to the Humanist Association of Canada

4.1
Humanist Officiants commit themselves to the respectful and responsible performance of their duties as set out in this Code of Ethics, the Officiants Handbook, and OPC-O Rules and Regulations.

4.2
The practice of Humanist Officiants in the name of the Association is limited to the performance of life passage rites such as namings, marriages, and funerals, and the attendant care to those involved in these rites.

Principle 5: Responsibilities to other Officiants

5.1
Humanist Officiants maintain and demonstrate respect for humanism and for the work of the officiants, refraining from any actions, words or behaviours that may be destructive to the perception of humanism or the work of the officiants.

5.2
Humanist Officiants support their colleagues and maintain confidences offered by colleagues.

5.3
Humanist Officiants work with their colleagues in a respectful, cooperative and consultative manner.

Principle 6: Responsibilities to the Officiants Program Committee - Ontario

6.1
Humanist Officiants work cooperatively with the OPC-O in communicating with the public and refrain from any actions, words or behaviours that slight the Officiant Program or the Humanist Association of Canada.

6.2
Humanist Officiants have a duty without prejudice to report to the Chair, Ethics and Complaints Sub-Committee of the OPC-O any complaints reported to themآ regarding non-compliance to this Code of Ethics by themselves or other officiants. Confidentiality of complaint reports will be protected.

Principle 7: Financial Arrangements

7.1
Humanist Officiants do not offer or accept kickbacks, rebates, bonuses, finder's fees, or other remuneration for referrals.

7.2
Humanist Officiants who in the event of an emergency ask another Officiant to substitute for them in the performance of a ceremony may make whatever financial arrangements are deemed acceptable by them without prejudice to the client.

7.3
Humanist Officiants clearly disclose to potential clients all financial arrangements and fees related to their services and the procedure for obtaining payment.

7.4
Humanist Officiants who must cancel arrangements for a ceremony shall refund all monies received from the client.

Principle 8: Advertising

8.1
Humanist Officiants accurately represent their competencies, education, training, and experience relevant to their role, including their affiliation with the Humanist Association of Canada.

8.2
Humanist Officiants ensure that advertisements, including but not limited to business cards, office signage, letterhead, Internet, and directories, convey information that promotes informed choice by clients, do not compare their services to those offered by other officiants, and are in keeping with standards of good taste and discretion.

8.3
Humanist Officiants do not make claims that are false, fraudulent, misleading or deceptive.

8.4
Humanist Officiants make themselves known as Humanist Officiants and use no other title associated with this title or instead of it, unless otherwise authorized to do so and approved by the OPC-O.

8.5
Humanist Officiants correct, wherever possible, false, misleading, or inaccurate information and representations made by others concerning their qualifications or services.

8.6
Humanist Officiants do not represent themselves as providing specialized services unless they have the appropriate education, training, or supervised experience.

8.7
Humanist Officiants do not solicit prospective clients in ways that disadvantage other officiants.

B. How to register a complaint

If you have a complaint relating to misconduct, incompetence or incapacity as set out in the Humanist Association of Canada Officiant Code of Ethics above, please direct your complaint in writing to the Chair, Ethical and Complaint Resolution Sub-Committee of the Officiant Program Committee - Ontario, Humanist Association of Canada, 401 Weber Street North, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 3J2.

Your complaint should include a brief description of the circumstances of the complaint as well as the name of the officiant, any relevant dates or other specific information to help us investigate your complaint.

Please read the Complaint Procedure information below to inform yourself of the objectives and the process that we will follow in response to your complaint.

Thank you.

C. Complaint Procedure Humanist Officiant Ethical and Complaint Resolution Procedures Background

1. The Humanist Association of Canada Officiant’s Code of Ethics is posted on HAC’s website along with this statement:

Concerns relating to the performance of a Humanist Officiant as set out in the Humanist Association of Canada Officiant Code of Ethics (available at http://humanists.ca) may be directed in writing to: Chair, Ethical and Complaint Resolution Sub-Committee of the Officiant Program Committee – Ontario, Humanist Association of Canada, P.O. Box 8752, Station T, Ottawa, ON K1G 3J1 or email to: ethics@opc.humanists.ca.

2. Humanist Officiants are required to provide the following statement to clients and to submit a sample of how this is done to the Officiant Program Committee – Ontario:

If you have a concern relating to the performance of a Humanist Officiant as set out in the Humanist Association of Canada Officiant Code of Ethics, please direct your concern(s) in writing to the Chair, Ethical and Complaint Resolution Sub-Committee of Officiant Program Committee – Ontario, Humanist Association of Canada, P.O. Box 8752, Station T, Ottawa, ON K1G 3J1 or email to: ethics@opc.humanists.ca.

3. The Ethical and Complaint Resolution Procedures below are intended to protect the public, the Officiant and the integrity of the Humanist Officiant Program. The complaint shall remain confidential to the Sub-committee, the complainant and the Officiant in question until the nature of public disclosure is determined by the Sub-Committee and the Board.

Procedures

1. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Chair, Ethical and Complaint Resolution Sub-Committee seeks from the complainant any missing information, such as whether the complaint was discussed with the Officiant, clarifying information, such as important details not contained in the original statement, and any suggested resolution to the complaint.

Note: In the event that the Chair, Ethical and Complaint Resolution Sub-Committee is the Officiant in question, the Chair immediately relinquishes responsibility in this area and yields it to the Chair, Officiant Program Committee — Ontario.

2. Within 48 hours of receiving a complaint, the Chair, Ethical and Complaint Resolution Sub-Committee informs the Officiant in question and requests a written statement of facts within 30 days. The complainant is given an opportunity to respond to this statement to provide further information or clarification. This response is provided to the Officiant in question who may also respond. Wherever possible, resolution of the complaint is obtained through the use of the Chair in this manner.

3. Where the complaint is not resolved in the above manner or is not appropriately resolved in this manner, the Chair, Ethical and Complaint Resolution Sub-Committee will forward all written documentation to the Ethics and Complaint Resolution Sub-Committee of the OPC-O, which has the authority to review the complaint and seek a resolution.

Note: The Ethics and Complaint Resolution Sub-Committee of the OPC-O shall consist of three Officiants of which the Officiant in question may choose one.

4. The Ethics and Complaint Resolution Sub-Committee shall make one of the following determinations within 120 days of receipt of the complaint and communicate such to the Officiant and the complainant in writing forthwith.

a. Find the complaint is unjustified and dismiss the complaint;
b. Find the complaint is justified and initiate one of the following remedies: remind, counsel or caution the Officiant in writing if the Sub-Committee believes the Officiant would benefit from some advice or direction as to how to conduct him or herself in the future and inform the complainant of such. Assign a mentor to the Officiant for a period of not less than one year to provide support to address issues related to the complaint and inform the complainant of such; or
c. Recommend to the HAC Board of Directors the immediate revocation of the Officiant's appointment, either for a designated period of time, or permanently. If the Board agrees, the Officiant Program Committee — Ontario will inform the Officiant to cease practice as a Humanist Officiant, inform the province of Ontario to revoke the Officiant's license, and inform the complainant of such. For a temporary revocation, the Officiant will be required to reapply for appointment at the end of the designated time period.

5. Decisions of the Ethics and Complaint Resolution Sub-Committee and HAC Board of Directors may not be appealed.

6. All documentation related to a complaint remains on file as long as the Officiant is appointed by HAC and licensed by the province and may be used in considering responses to any subsequent complaints.

7. Any decision of the HAC Board of Directors may be published in the Canadian Humanist News and on the HAC website at their discretion. A decision to permanently revoke an Officiant's appointment shall be so published.