Code of Conduct

Objective and Commitment to Respectful Discourse

The Canadian Society of Transplantation (“CST”) is a professional organization for physicians, surgeons, scientists and allied health professionals working in the field of transplantation. In all of its activities, the CST is committed to the advancement of its goals through respectful, inclusive and collegial discourse and engagement. Accordingly, the CST requires adherence to these values by its members, staff and volunteers, as well as all participants in CST events and meetings.

The CST strives to ensure that all participants in CST activities enjoy an environment free from discrimination, harassment and bullying. Further, the CST is committed to providing an atmosphere through all of its activities which encourages free expression and the exchange of ideas - in a respectful manner - as well as open, critically engaged and sometimes challenging discourse.

To that end, the CST requires that all members, associates, participants, and those accompanying participants to CST activities, comply with the Code of Conduct as set out herein. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from CST membership and/or participation in CST activities.

Definitions

“Associate” means any individual that has successfully applied to be an Associate pursuant to the applicable CST By-Law.

“CST Activity” means any CST event or meeting (inclusive of membership meetings and scientific meetings), continuing professional development activity, as well as any activity, discussion or discourse related to the CST’s events, meetings, mandate or work.

“Member” means any individual who has successfully applied for membership pursuant to the applicable CST By-Law.

“Participant” means any registered attendee, speaker, sponsor, staff member or volunteer participating in a CST Activity.

“Sanctionable Conduct” means any conduct, as outlined below, for which the CST may impose sanctions at its sole discretion.

Sanctionable Conduct

At all times while participating in any CST Activity, all Members, Associates and Participants are required to conduct themselves in a respectful and appropriate manner which upholds the values of the CST as set out above.

Sanctionable conduct of Members, Associates and Participants reflects negatively on the reputation of the CST and may create a hostile environment for other Members, Associates and Participants. Accordingly, while in the vicinity of a CST Activity and while participating, attending or engaging in any CST Activity, all Members, Associates, and Participants are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct and refrain from sanctionable conduct towards other Members, Associates, Participants, and staff of any host institution or venue. 

The following conduct will not be tolerated by the CST:

Violence

Any form of violence, including the use of physical or sexual force, actual or threatened and/or emotional, psychological or verbal abuse.

Discrimination

Any conduct which includes:

  • Any act or omission which has the effect, intentionally or unintentionally, of denying an individual or group equal treatment or opportunities; or
  • Any conduct, statement, remark or comment which is derogatory, discriminatory or engages inappropriate stereotypes;

on the basis of any prohibited ground including race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability.[1]

Harassment and Bullying

Any conduct which includes:

  • A course of vexatious comment or conduct which is known or ought to reasonably be known to be unwelcome;
  • Sexual harassment and/or unwanted sexual advances; and
  • Conduct which invades the privacy of another Member, Associate or Participant.

Harassment need not be intentional and need not be on the basis of a prohibited ground, as defined above. Examples of harassment and/or bullying include:

  • Unwelcome, unwanted or inappropriate jokes;
  • Taunting;
  • Conduct that makes the victim feel unsafe;
  • Inappropriate comments about one’s physical appearance;
  • Derogatory or dismissive comments;
  • Offensive or belittling comments or gestures;
  • Displaying offensive or derogatory material;
  • Shunning or exclusionary conduct;
  • Persistent disruption of talks or events; and
  • Any other conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile environment.

Disreputable Conduct

Any other conduct which causes, or has the potential to cause, damage to the reputation of the CST.

Conduct Complaints

All complaints regarding the conduct of a Member, Associate, or Participant shall be made to, and addressed by, the CST.

At all times, the CST will be respectful of its duty of confidentiality throughout any complaints process and shall comply with its statutory obligations under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

Possible Sanctions

Where a Member, Associate or Participant is found to have engaged in Sanctionable Conduct, the CST may impose any one (or more) of the following sanctions:

  • Verbal or written warning or reprimand;
  • Immediate expulsion from a CST Activity without reimbursement;
  • Suspension of Participant, Member or Associate from a CST Activity or Activities without reimbursement;
  • Suspension of Participant, Member or Associate from a specific portion of a CST Activity without reimbursement;
  • Expulsion of Participant, Member or Associate from CST Activities on a permanent basis;
  • Suspension or Expulsion of Member or Associate from the CST; and/or
  • Requirement to undergo training, education, policy review or to acknowledge wrongdoing in to address the specific nature of the Sanctionable Conduct.

Any determination as to the appropriate sanction will be on the basis of the severity of the conduct and will be at the CST’s sole discretion. The purpose of any sanction will be aimed at correcting the Sanctionable Conduct and ensuring a safe, respectful and collegial environment on a going forward basis.

[1] Note: in assessing the discriminatory nature of any alleged conduct, the CST shall be guided by any applicable legislation in the province wherein the CST Activity is occurring.