Complaints Process
A member of the public who makes a complaint about an active member must submit a signed complaint that is addressed to the Registrar of the Association. It will then be dealt with by the Registrar, as well as forwarded to the Board of Directors to be handled further. The complaint process is structured as so:
1.
Within 30 days of receiving the complaint, the Registrar and the Board will give notice to the member and the person who submitted the claim.
2.
After notice is given, the investigation of the complaint happens by a third-party. Upon concluding the investigation, all reports come to the Registrar, which then get shared with the board.
3.
The Registrar and the Board then may:
(a) encourage the person who submitted the claim and the member to communicate with each other and resolve the complaint;
(b) attempt to resolve the complaint;
(c) refer the member and person who submitted the claim to an alternative complaint resolution process to resolve the complaint; (d) conduct, or appoint an investigator to conduct, an investigation into the complaint;
(e) if satisfied that the complaint is no longer an issue, dismiss the complaint, or
(f) if satisfied that there is insufficient or no evidence of unprofessional conduct, dismiss the complaint.
4.
The Registrar may also recommend to the Board that the member be temporarily suspended from membership until the outcome of the hearing is known. This temporary suspension would only be used in cases of allegations of serious misconduct alleging real or potential risk of harm to the public.