Membership
Annual Membership
There are currently two categories of Membership - Full or Associate Membership. Membership is renewed annually in the month of April prior to the AGM in May. New Membership applications are received here at any time.
We have an annual membership period from May 1st to April 30th. Renewal occurs prior to the Annual General Meeting every year. Please see below for the Member categories and application link. Fees are payable by e-transfer. Payment details are outlined in the Membership Application. Fees may be pro-rated upon request for new Members who join during the membership year (01 May - 30 April).
Individuals accepted as members will be provided with access to the Members’ Resources, including the AGM materials.
Membership fees for 2025-26 are:
Full Members - $40
Associate Members - Standard $30 / Reduced $10
The reduced fee is intended for those for whom the standard $30 fee would present a hardship.
See below for eligibility criteria for Full and Associate Membership.
Full Members
Eligibility:
You must meet the definition of a Practising Healthcare Ethicist (PHE)* and have been employed or self-employed as a PHE in Canada within the last 12 months
Full Membership Entitlements:
Voting privileges
Eligible to be Members and Chairs of CAPHE-ACESS constituent groups
Eligible to be Directors of CAPHE-ACESS (election as a Director converts the membership to that of a ‘Governing Member’ as per our by-laws.
Associate Members
Eligibility:
Be engaged in a formal practice-based PHE training program in Canada, e.g., a fellowship in healthcare ethics practice
OR
Do not meet the definition of PHE, but have relevant practice and/or education experience in, and/or meaningful connection(s) to, the fields of healthcare and/or healthcare ethics
OR
Meet the definition of a PHE*, but have not been employed or self-employed as a PHE in Canada in the last 12 months (e.g., retired, leave of absence, work outside of Canada)
Associate Membership Entitlements:
Eligible to be Members of CAPHE-ACESS constituent groups, including Board of Directors (election as a Director converts the membership to that of a Governing Member with voting rights)
Do not have voting privileges, (except when serving in the role of Director of the Corporation - a Governing Member)
*Definition of Practising Healthcare Ethicist (PHE): A practicing healthcare ethicist has dedicated work responsibilities within a healthcare organization to provide a variety of ethics-related services which include more than one of the following: clinical and/or organizational ethics consultation; policy development and/or review; ethics education for staff; management of ethics programs (including clinical ethics committees); mentoring of staff/learners; and conducting research ethics consultations.
[Simpson, C. Getting Engaged: Exploring Professionalization in Canada. HEC Forum 24, 149–151 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10730-012-9191-z ]
This definition is not intended to include those whose primary ethics-related responsibilities are academic scholarly work and/or involvement with research ethics boards.