Revised and Approved March 12, 2025*
To establish and maintain public confidence in the professionalism, honesty, ability and integrity of the professional speaker is fundamental to the success of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (herein called “CAPS”), its members, and the profession of speaking.
To this end, members of the Association have adopted and, as a condition of membership, adhere to this Code of Professional Ethics. By doing so, the members give notice they recognize the vital need to preserve, encourage and support ethical and equitable conduct among all who are engaged in the profession of speaking, as well as those who are connected to the industry, including meeting planners, corporate buyers, speaking bureau, suppliers to and partners of members.
Violations of this Code shall be determined in accordance to the bylaws, policies and procedures of CAPS. Disciplinary actions shall be instituted by CAPS in accordance with Bylaws and Rules and Regulations established by the Association. Any such disciplinary action shall be final and binding upon the CAPS member and without recourse to the Association, its officers, members or staff.
Article 1. Representation
The CAPS member shall accurately represent qualifications and experience in all oral and written communications. The CAPS member shall not exaggerate their qualifications or experience. Promotional materials in any format must include descriptions that are true and factual; statements of accomplishment that include rankings, status, or certifications; must be required to be substantiated if challenged.
Article 2. Professionalism
The CAPS member shall conduct their business in a professional manner and will not use language or materials that would reasonably be considered offensive to others or discredit the speaking profession. Investigations/findings/sanctions by any other professional or regulatory body outside of CAPS must be reported to the CAPS Ethics Committee.
Article 3. Professional Courtesy
The CAPS member shall treat other members and other professional colleagues with the highest standards of professional courtesy, dignity and respect.
Article 4. Anti-Harassment
The CAPS member shall abide by the Anti-Harassment Policy which is intended to make CAPS inclusive, safe, and non-discriminatory.
Article 5. Intellectual Property
The CAPS member shall not use the intellectual property of another unless granted written permission by the originator and/or owner of the material, save and except for where the fair usage of material applies under copyright laws.
Article 6. Confidentiality
The CAPS member shall maintain and respect the confidentiality of all business or personal affairs of clients, agents and other speakers.
Article 7. Unfair Practices
The CAPS member shall be vigilant against fraud, sharp, or unfair practices and shall endeavour to eliminate from the speaking profession all practices that might bring discredit to the profession. Members have a duty to report any violation of this code to the Ethics Committee; which includes ethical situations that both they, or another member, are involved in where the issue cannot be reasonably resolved with one’s own influence.
Article 8. Marketplace Access
The CAPS member shall not participate in any agreement to unfairly limit or restrain the access of others to the marketplace.
Article 9. Civic Duty
The CAPS member shall obey and adhere to all Canadian, Provincial, Municipal, and all other applicable laws and regulations within the jurisdictions in which their business operates.
Article 10. Pledge
CAPS members, as a condition of their membership, shall subscribe to this Professional Pledge:
- I pledge myself to comply with the standards of CAPS as set forth in its Bylaws, Policies and Procedures, and this Code of Professional Ethics.
- I pledge myself to honesty and to honour my commitments; to continuously advance my professional expertise to ensure service to my clients shall always be maintained at the highest possible level.
- I pledge myself to seek and maintain an equitable, honourable and cooperative association with fellow members of CAPS and its partners, members of a GSF-affiliated association, and with all others who may become a part of my business and professional life.
* This Code of Ethics and Anti-Harassment Policy, and complaints procedure, may be updated from time to time by the CAPS Board of Directors
View the procedures that apply for processing a possible CAPS ethics violation.