CGIA CODE OF CONDUCT AND
MEMBERSHIP POLICY
Effective Date: June 4, 2026
Organization: Canadian Geothermal Industry Alliance (CGIA)
Review Cycle: Biennial (Every 2 Years)
The Canadian Geothermal Industry Alliance (CGIA) is committed to advancing geothermal
energy in Canada through professional collaboration, ethical governance, and the repurposing
of oil and gas infrastructure. This Policy establishes the standards of conduct and the terms of
membership required to maintain the integrity of the CGIA.
This Policy applies to all members of the CGIA Board of Directors, Volunteer Directors and
Officers, working committee members, general members, and any representatives acting on
behalf of the CGIA.
All individuals covered by this policy shall:
● Integrity: Act honestly, ethically, and in good faith in all CGIA-related activities.
● Professionalism: Maintain a respectful and collaborative attitude. Treat all
participants with dignity and fairness, regardless of differing commercial interests.
● Industry Representation: Represent the geothermal industry and CGIA participants
in a positive light, refraining from gossip, innuendo, or disparaging remarks.
● Compliance: Respect all applicable provincial and federal laws, including
environmental regulations and CGIA governance documents.
● Prohibited Conduct: Refrain from behavior that is disruptive, discriminatory,
harassing, or intended to use CGIA information for unauthorized personal or
commercial gain.
Members have a duty to act in the best interests of the CGIA. A conflict of interest arises when a
member’s private interests (financial, professional, or personal) interfere, or appear to interfere,
with the interests of the CGIA.
● Disclosure (Alignment Requirement): All representatives must promptly disclose
to the Board of Directors any personal, professional, or financial interest that may
conflict, or may reasonably be perceived to conflict, with the interests of CGIA,
whether actual or potential.
● Recusal: Any member with a conflict of interest regarding a specific matter (e.g., a
specific pilot project location or funding allocation) must recuse themselves from
deliberations and voting on that matter.
● Commercial Gain: No member shall use their position within CGIA to secure
preferential treatment for their own business interests at the expense of the alliance’s
mission.
Trust is fundamental to the alliance’s success. All representatives must:
● Maintain the confidentiality of CGIA discussions, internal strategy, financial data, and
policy positions.
● Protect sensitive information regarding member operations, including proprietary
data related to oil and gas well repurposing and heat extraction technologies.
● Refrain from sharing non-public information without explicit authorization from the
Board.
● Continue to respect these obligations indefinitely after their involvement with CGIA
concludes.
The CGIA Board of Directors maintains absolute authority over membership status and CGIA
roles to ensure the organization’s goals remain aligned.
● Removal Without Cause (Members and Board Members): Any and all members,
including Board members, may be removed from membership and/or removed from
their Board position or any CGIA role by the Board of Directors at any time, without
cause.
● No Remuneration or Compensation: In the event of removal or termination, the
member shall not be entitled to any remuneration, compensation, severance, or
refund of membership fees.
Alleged violations of this Code of Conduct or Membership Policy shall be addressed through the
following escalation path:
● Informal Notification: Where appropriate, the Board (or its designate) may initiate
an informal discussion or written notification to the member to address concerns and
seek voluntary corrective action.
● Formal Board Review: The Board may conduct a formal review, which may include
requesting written submissions from the member and/or inviting the member to
speak to the issue. Following review, the Board may determine appropriate
corrective action.
● Temporary Suspension: The Board may temporarily suspend the member from
committees, leadership roles, events, communications, or other CGIA activities
pending further review or as a disciplinary measure.
● Permanent Removal: The Board may permanently remove the member from
membership and terminate all associated rights and/or remove the member from any
CGIA role, including Board positions.
By accepting membership in the CGIA, the member agrees to the following dispute resolution
framework:
● Waiver of Litigation: The member agrees never to initiate, maintain, or participate in
any lawsuit, class action, or legal proceeding against the CGIA, its Directors,
Officers, or employees arising out of membership, removal, or the application of this
Policy.
● Binding Mediation: Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to
this Policy shall be settled through a binding mediation process:
● Limitation of Liability: In any event, the maximum remuneration or total aggregate
liability of the CGIA to any member for any claim whatsoever shall be strictly limited
to the equivalent of one (1) year’s membership fee paid by that specific member.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
I hereby acknowledge that I have received, read, and understood the CGIA Code of Conduct
and Membership Policy.
I expressly acknowledge and agree to:
● Comply with all ethical, professional, and confidentiality standards set forth by the
CGIA.
● Disclose any personal, professional, or financial interests that may conflict with the
interests of CGIA.
● Accept the authority of the Board of Directors to remove me from membership and/or
any CGIA role at any time, without cause and without remuneration or compensation.
● Agree to the Covenant Not to Sue, including that I will never sue CGIA, its
Directors, or Officers in any court of law..
● Agree that all disputes must be settled via mediation using the mediator selection
process and that the third mediator’s decision shall be final and binding on all
parties.
● Accept the Limitation of Liability capping any potential remuneration,
compensation, or damages to the equivalent of one (1) year’s membership fee paid
by me.