Guidelines and Standards

Purpose

The "Code of Ethics" is intended to guide the conduct of all members of the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC) in their business relationships with the public, their employers and/or clients, their employees and each other. While promoting just and honourable relationships, mutual confidence, respect and competent service, this Code is meant to encourage the highest possible standards of stewardship on forest lands, both public and private, under the care and management of CIF/IFC members.

The "Guidelines and Standards" clarify the meaning and intent of the Code of Ethics by providing further guidance, examples and explanation. The Guidelines and Standards lay out in more detail the factors, issues and information that need to be considered in working toward achieving the high standards set forth in the Code of Ethics.

It is recognized that aiming for the best possible conduct and highest possible standards is an ideal that cannot necessarily be legally enforced. This Code is intended to provide guidelines and examples whereby members are afforded instruction, assistance and suggestions, should they encounter these situations. It is not intended to be a method to measure how far short of the ideal members might fall and how they should therefore be sanctioned.

Given the voluntary nature of CIF/IFC membership and the intent of this Code to offer guidance, disciplinary action against members, based on this Code of Ethics is not intended. Nonetheless, it is a foundation of this organization that its members commit to the highest possible standards of behavior and stewardship in their approach to the practice of forestry. It is therefore expected that all CIF/IFC members will fully consider the guidance offered in this Code of Ethics and will take the necessary steps to ensure proper conduct in themselves and others.

Factors affecting CIF/IFC Members in the Practice of Forestry

CIF/IFC members represent a unique and, at the same time, very broad spectrum of expertise and interests in the practice of forestry. Membership is voluntary and includes woodlot owners, academics, scientists, politicians, forest technicians and technologists, foresters and those who are not directly involved in forest management. To describe this wide range of people and expertise, the term "forest practitioner" is used throughout this Code to reflect the diversity of CIF/IFC membership. This broad spectrum of interests and applications means that this Code of Ethics will offer more guidance to some members than to others.

Since the CIF/IFC is a national organization, issues, legislation and policy at the local, provincial, national and international levels affect its members. Such factors include the ethical requirements of provincial professional and technical associations along with the legal requirements of the various Acts, Regulations and policies of the jurisdiction in which CIF/IFC members work. Forestry related activities at the international level also have the potential to affect the way CIF/IFC members practice forestry both in Canada and abroad.

The CIF/IFC Code of Ethics reflects the fact that many CIF/IFC members function within provincial jurisdictions and thus must be aware of and abide by the Codes of Ethics set out by provincial professional and technical bodies. As such, the CIF/IFC Code of Ethics was developed in concert with these existing Codes so as not to be in conflict with them.

Thanks and acknowledgement are extended to:

The Association of British Columbia Professional Foresters;
The Alberta Registered Professional Foresters Association;
The Ontario Professional Foresters Association;
L'ordre des ingénieurs forestiers du Québec;
The Association of Registered Professional
Foresters of New Brunswick; and
The Society of American Foresters