Discipline Policy
The Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA) Inc. is comprised of a number of member’s whose primary objective is to assist farm business by increasing the skills and knowledge of farm advisors. Most CAFA members have a primary professional designation, and are bound by the Legislation, Rules and By-laws of those organizations, which set out their professional and ethical obligations. Such CAFA members who fail to meet these standards are subject to the complaints and regulatory processes of their respective primary professional designation. Some CAFA members may not have a primary designation.
Complaints against a CAFA member needs to be first addressed with that member. If a satisfactory solution cannot be agreed upon then the complaint can be submitted to CAFA. CAFA cannot help with every type of complaint. If we cannot help with a complaint, we will tell you and try to give you information about other sources of help.
CAFA will not guarantee that the information that you or any other person has provided will remain confidential because:
We must share some or all of the information with the member you are complaining about. We may give copies of documents received from you and any other person to the member and we may share personal information (such as names, addresses and telephone numbers) with the member.
CAFA will, on an annual basis, appoint a Discipline Committee whose membership will consist of one (1) member of the Board of Directors, and at least two (2) and not more than five (5), CAFA members who are not Board members. The committee will establish meetings either in person or by teleconference. Any complaint must be heard by the Discipline Committee not more than twenty-eight (28) days after the complaint is made, and must render a decision in writing within twenty-one (21) days of the hearing date.
Discipline of CAFA Members who have a primary professional designation or license:
1. Where a complaint is received against the conduct of a CAFA member from members of the public, the complaint shall be in written form and either received by mail or electronic mail. The complaint should clearly specify the nature of the complaint and what aspect of CAFA’s Code of Conduct, http://www.cafanet.com/aboutCAFA/disciplinaryprocedures.aspx, that the complaint is being made pursuant to. Copies of any documents that relate to the complaint should be attached.
2. Where a complaint is received against the conduct of a CAFA member with a professional designation or license, then CAFA will request that the complaint shall first be made to the governing body of that organization by the member of the public making the complaint. CAFA will recognize any form of discipline (other than monetary) and will impose a sanction equal to that imposed by the CAFA member’s governing body. CAFA will not impose financial sanctions.
3. If the party who files the complaint is dissatisfied with the governing body’s decision, any appeal shall be to the CAFA member’s governing body and not to CAFA.
Discipline of CAFA Members who do not have a primary professional designation or license:
- There may be circumstances where a CAFA member has significant industry experience and who has been granted membership with CAFA while not having a professional designation or license. In those cases where a complaint is received against the conduct of a CAFA member, the complaint shall be in written form and either received by mail or electronic mail. The complaint should clearly specify the nature of the complaint and what aspect of CAFA’s Code of Conduct that the complaint is being made pursuant to.
- In order to deal with those complaints, the matter will be referred to CAFA’s Discipline Committee who will review the complaint to ensure that the CAFA member does not have a primary professional designation or license. If there is no professional designation or license then the Discipline Committee will review the case by holding a hearing and render their written decision. The member’s CAFA membership and certification status may be impacted as a result.
Send the complaint and a copy of any documents that relate to the complaint to either:
a) The governing body of the organization where the member has a primary professional designation or license; or,
b) Canadian Association of Farm Advisors
Box 578
Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan S0J 0J0
As applicable.
CAFA Discipline Committee
Chair: Amanda Hammell, B. Comm. (Hons.), CAFA National Board
RBC Royal Bank, Hanover, Ontario
Amanda grew up on a cash crop & beef feedlot farm just outside of Brampton, which along with involvement in 4-H and Junior Farmers built the foundation for a career in Ontario agriculture. She earned a Bachelor of Commerce Degree specializing in Agricultural Business with Honours at the University of Guelph. Currently Amanda is a Senior Agriculture Account Manager with RBC Royal Bank where her focus is on developing solutions to help clients achieve their business, financial and operational objectives.
Amanda has completed the Internship for Young Leaders program. She has played an active role in various agricultural committees and boards.She sat on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Farm Animal Council and is a member of the Walkerton CAFA chapter. Amanda currently resides just outside Dobbinton on an active dairy operation.
Barrie Broughton, B.A., LL.B., TEP
CAFA Lethbridge
Barrie is a corporate/commercial lawyer who has practiced in Alberta since 1979. He
also practices tax law and a large portion of his practice is dealing with agriculture and
agri-business as well as private companies and owner/managers. In addition to his legal practice, Barrie is also part owner of a manufacturing company founded in 1980 and is involved with the family farm corporation. As part of his legal practice Barrie also
provides mediation and arbitration services, many of the skills of which are used in estate planning and business succession planning areas. Barrie was formerly an extension solicitor for Alberta Agriculture and has lectured throughout Alberta on topics of interest to farmers and ranchers, especially in the areas of estate planning and farm succession.
He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Planners (STEP) and the Canadian
Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA). Barrie is a partner in North & Co LLP
headquartered in Lethbridge, Alberta (www.north-co.com) and can be contacted via
website, or at b-broughton@north-co.com or 403-328-7781.
Wayne Ferris, CA
CAFA Walkerton
Obtained Chartered Accountant designation in 1968.
Born and raised on a farm in Ontario. I presently work with my son in a part-time Mixed farming operation.
Since 1969 I have always been involved in preparation of Financial Statements and Income Tax Returns for Farmers and AgriBusiness.
For 15 years I managed a large Dairy farm as an Executor for an Estate with minor children as the Beneficiaries.
In later years I have been an Expert Witness in Lawsuits and Divorce cases where the major asset is Farm property or AgriBusiness.
Tel. 519-922-2896
wtferris@hughes.net