Code of Conduct

Member Code of Conduct 

1. The Purpose of this Code

In keeping with the Canadian Renewable Energy Association’s vision, the Association and its employees strive to maintain the highest standards of conduct and in return the Association expects this of its members, their employees, and third-party contractors. This means to act with fairness, honesty, ethics, and integrity and in a manner that is in the best interest of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association and the industry.

This Code of Conduct is to set out general principles to guide Members’ interactions with:

  1. members of the public (e.g. consumers);
  2. members of the wind energy, solar energy, and energy storage industries; and
  3. the Canadian Renewable Energy Association.

Furthermore, Members of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association must contribute to the professional advancement of the Association and the wind energy, solar energy, and energy storage industries in Canada.

2. Code of Conduct Adherence

Members of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association, staff and representatives are required to abide by this Code while conducting their business, both in letter and in spirit, and when interacting with: as well as interacting with:

  1. members of the public (e.g. consumers);
  2. members of the wind energy, solar energy, and energy storage industries; and
  3. the Canadian Renewable Energy Association.

3. Professionalism

Members of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association and its employees shall interact with members, consumers and Association employees in a fair, professional and fair manner that is free of discrimination and harassment. Harassment includes without limitation:

  1. Offensive verbal comments related to ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, record of offences, marital status, family status, gender, gender identity and expression, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, or ethnicity;
  2. Posting sexual images in public spaces, and;
  3. Deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate in connection with any Canadian Renewable Energy Association event, including in talks, workshops, parties, Twitter and other online media.

Canadian Renewable Energy Association members who violate points i., ii., and/or iii., above, may be, among other things,

  1. Sanctioned or expelled from any event that the alleged members are attending without a refund, and;
  2. Prohibited from attending any future Canadian Renewable Energy Association events or activities, as determined by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association in its sole discretion.

4. Confidentiality

Members when engaged in Canadian Renewable Energy Association activities shall respect confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest and/or activities for personal gain at the expense of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association, consumers or its members.

5. Fair Dealings

Members of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association must not discredit, defame or cause harm to the wind energy, solar energy, or energy storage industries that may disrupt the professionalism and reputation of the Association, its members and/or employees.

6. Representing the Canadian Renewable Energy Association

Members of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association may represent the organization as a Board Member or an event panelist, however, are not permitted to speak on behalf of the Association unless authorized to do by the senior management of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association.

7. Compliance with the Law

Members of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association are to act in full compliance with Federal, Provincial and Municipal laws regarding truth in advertising, consumer protection, contract law, and other relevant regulations. Furthermore, Members will follow any laws or regulations over the Code of Conduct where there may be any non-compliance with a relevant law or regulation.

8. Third-Party Members

A Member shall ensure that its staff or any representatives it appoints to act on its behalf adhere to the same standards required of the Members as set out in this Code. Any contractors or third parties must agree to the Code of Conduct on behalf of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association member.

9. Advertising

Members of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association must comply with the advertising laws in their jurisdiction. Furthermore, Canadian Renewable Energy Association Members will provide factual information to consumers and must not depict any misleading or fraudulent advertisements and/or statements in any marketing collateral (email, web, print, etc.,) in regard to their products and services. This includes:

  1. Pricing
  2. Quality
  3. Performance
  4. Products and Services Claims

10. Sales and Marketing Interactions

Members of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association shall comply with, and shall ensure that all of its employees, agents and contractors comply with, any federal, provincial and municipal laws regarding restrictions on contacting Consumers. Furthermore, Members must comply with the anti-spam legislation in their jurisdiction and must agree to the terms and conditions set forth in said legislation when interacting with consumers or third-party members. This may include the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), The United States’ Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM), The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other state/country laws and regulations.

11. Complaint Resolution and Disciplinary Process

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association has created a process to address complaints or information regarding Members that may lead to disciplinary action. The Complaint Resolution and Disciplinary Process (“Process”). This Process is intended to provide the opportunity for Member’s to respond to and work through issues of complaint to the mutual satisfaction of both the Complainant and the Member.

The Process also sets forth the process to be followed by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association in connection with non-renewal, suspension or expulsion of a member or any other matter where the Association exercises disciplinary authority over a Member. In accordance with its by-laws, the Canadian Renewable Energy Association will take non-compliance with such Code into account in connection with renewal of membership, suspension, or expulsion.

For more information visit the Canadian Renewable Energy Association website or email members@renewablesassociation.ca.