Membership
The 2026 AGM was held via Zoom on 13 May.
If you were a Member during 2025-26 but did not renew prior to the date of the AGM, your Membership has lapsed. You can always apply for Membership at any time using the form HERE.
NEW Members, please see the details below.
Annual Membership
We have an annual Membership period from May 1st to April 30th.
There are currently two categories of Membership - Full or Associate Membership. Please see below for the Member categories.
Current Members must renew annually in the month of April prior to the AGM in May.
Details on renewing are sent by email as the renewal period opens. That email will include a link to the renewal form.
If your renewal does is not completed prior to the AGM, please submit a new application for Membership.
New Members can submit applications here at any time throughout the year.
Please wait for approval of your application before submitting the fee.
Fees are payable by e-transfer. Payment details are outlined in the Membership Application.
New first-time Membership applications (but not renewals or missed renewals) made during the May-April Membership year may be prorated upon request - please ask for details in advance of paying the fee at the time of your application.
Individuals accepted as Members will be provided with access to the Members’ Resources.
Membership fees for 2026-27 are:
Full Members - $40
Associate Members - Standard $30 / Reduced $10
The reduced Associate Member 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.
Membership Eligibility Criteria and Entitlements
Full Members
Eligibility: Must meet the definition of a Practising Healthcare Ethicist (PHE)* and be substantially employed or self-employed (0.25 FTE minimum) as a PHE in Canada.
Full Membership Entitlements:
Voting privileges
Eligible to be Members and Chairs of CAPHE-ACESS constituent groups
Eligible to be Director of CAPHE-ACESS (election as a Director converts the Membership to that of a ‘Governing Member’ as per our by-laws)
Associate Members
Eligible if:
Has completed or is engaged in a formal practice-based PHE training program in Canada, e.g., a fellowship or practicum or internship in healthcare ethics practice; or
Meets or has met the definition of a PHE*, but has not been employed or self-employed as a PHE in Canada in the last 12 months. (This would include those who, for example, have recently retired, are on a leave of absence (e.g., parental or carer leave), or have been working outside of Canada
Considered on an individual basis if:
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 (e.g., Ethics Committee Chair, Accreditation lead for Ethics, educators in graduate-level healthcare ethics focused programs)
Associate Membership Entitlements:
Eligible to be Members of CAPHE-ACESS constituent groups.
*Definition of Practising Healthcare Ethicist (PHE): A Practising Healthcare Ethicist (PHE) has completed relevant graduate-level education and has dedicated work responsibilities within a healthcare organization to provide a variety of ethics-related services which include a majority of the following:
clinical and/or organizational ethics consultation;
policy development and/or review;
ethics education for staff;
management of and/or provision of subject matter expertise to institutional ethics programs (including clinical ethics committees and accreditation support);
·mentoring of staff/learners;
research ethics consultation;
ethics scholarship & research; and/or
services to the profession.
[Adapted from 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.