COMPLAINTS AND COMPLIANCE

Filing a Complaint with the Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies® (CIEPS) 

The Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies™ (CIEPS) is the body that provides the Elder Planning Counselor® (EPC) Designation.

CIEPS requires that all complaints be filed by using the CIEPS Complaint Form. No unsigned or anonymous complaints are accepted by CIEPS. Complaints and any materials in support of them are to be forwarded to CIEPS.

Contact with CIEPS can be made by:

Writing us at:

Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies
Suite 203, 4438 Ontario Street
Beamsville, ON
L3J 0A4

Calling us toll-free at 855-882-3427
Faxing us toll-free to 866-209-5111

Email – compliance@cieps.com

THE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

Initiation of a Disciplinary Procedure

The disciplinary process is started by the filing of a complaint.  To this extent,  anyone can file a complaint against an EPC designee, including another designee, an allied professional, a client, a prospective client or any other third party.

This complaint is filed with CIEPS. Upon receipt of a complaint, the CIEPS Compliance Officer will promptly review the complaint and then decide/recommend on one of the following:

There is not enough information/documentation to proceed with the investigation:

The complainant will be contacted to provide more information.

When further information is submitted, it will be reviewed again. If CIEPS finds that the evidence is insufficient to support the allegations of misconduct, the complaint will be dismissed unless further information is submitted by the Complainant.

There is enough information/documentation to proceed with the investigation:

At the conclusion of the investigation and fact-finding process, if the Compliance Officer finds that the evidence is sufficient to support the allegations of misconduct, the CIEPS Executive and Member Boards will meet to review the complaint.

At this point CIEPS will notify the EPC designee, by courier or registered mail, of the specifics of the complaint and request that the EPC designee reply to the complaint within fifteen (15) days.

What are the Penalties?

The CIEPS Compliance Officer in cooperation with the CIEPS Executive and Members Board can impose any of the following discipline actions upon an EPC designee who has been found guilty of misconduct against the  CIEPS Code of Professional Ethics:

1. Private Censure
   In some situations where it is the determination of the CIEPS Executive and Members Board that the nature of the EPC designee's misconduct is insufficient to warrant more serious penalty, the CIEPS Executive and Members Board may order a private censure of a EPC designee. A copy of this action will be maintained in CIEPS files for future reference.

2. Suspension

The CIEPS Executive and Members Board may order a suspension of the right of the EPC designee to use the EPC designation for a specified period of time. An EPC designee  who receives a suspension for a fixed period may apply for reinstatement immediately on the termination of the suspension.

It may be necessary for the EPC designee to re-enrol in the EPC Designation program in order to achieve their EPC designation again.

3. Total Revocation

CIEPS Executive and Members Board may order a permanent revocation of an EPC designee’s right to use the EPC designation or any of the EPC marks.

In addition to any of the above actions, any references or use of the EPC designation mark, advertising or logos on any business cards, stationary, signage, websites, social media, voice mail and/or email must also be ceased in accordance with the CIEPS tenets and standards.

CIEPS Supports Regulatory Bodies and Associations

The Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies® endorses, supports and assists provincial, federal regulators in addition to many associations to ensure that all Elder Planning Counselors conduct themselves in a truthful, ethical and professional manner.

CIEPS holds the right to inform any federal or provincial regulator body, or any association when an EPC designee is found guilty of any infraction of the CIEPS Code of Professional Ethics.