Commitment to the Public Interest

 

Investigation and discipline of members who practiced unethically
The CAA works with its members to ensure ethical practice in avalanche risk assessment services. Unfortunately, as with any profession, improper practice occurs on occasion. As part of the CAA's commitment to the public interest, we offer an open complaint process for the public and other CAA members to identify and address unethical practice by CAA members. 

Filing a complaint against a CAA member
Before filing a complaint, complainants may wish to read the CAA’s Code of Ethics. Reading the Code of Ethics may help you Identify which, if any, ethical standards have been breached by a CAA member. This helps the Complaint Investigation Committee (CIC) consider the merits of the complaint. To help you understand the investigation process and role of the CIC it is recommended that you review both the investigation process document and the flow chart which is a schematic of this process. Reading the Complaint Investigation procedures helps all parties understand the CAA’s complaint investigation process. 

To file a complaint, click here to email to the Executive Director and Chair of the Complaint Investigation Committee.

• CAA Complaint Investigation Procedures - a detailed account of the complaints process.
• Complaint Process Flow Chart - a visual guide to the stages of a complain and the paths it may take.
• The CAA Code of Ethics - unethical conduct is defined as a breach of the CAA's Code of Ethics.
• The CAA Bylaws - Section 11 of the CAA Bylaws deals specifically with CAA obligations for handling complaints and discipline. 

 

Templates for specific phases of the complaints process
These templates are used by the Complaint Investigation Committee to provide consistency and clarity to the complaint investigation process. They are not for the use of complainants or members subject to a complaint; they are offered here in support of transparency. 

• Invitation to respond to a complaint 
• Remedy Template
• Proposed remedy letter
• Decision template
• Failure to cooperate advisory statement
• Complainant notification
• Notification of PRC members
• Complaint closed 

It can be expected that the investigation process and its supporting documents will change over time to keep pace with governance changes and as the standard operating procedures of the investigation committee develop.