Canadian Authors Association (CAA) is dedicated to promoting a flourishing community of writers across Canada and encouraging works of literary and artistic merit. We are a membership-based organization for writers in all areas of the profession—aspiring, emerging and professional—in every genre and across all writing-related professions.
“Writers helping writers since 1921”
Consistent with our motto, our goal is to be inclusive and open to all writers. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, writing experience, or publishing history. The following behaviours are expected and requested of all CAA members:
- Participate in a genuine way
- Be considerate and respectful in your speech and actions
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour or speech
- Demonstrate support for professional excellence in writing
- Respect the legal rights of all writers
We invite everyone who participates in CAA activities to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone.
Unacceptable Behaviour
Unacceptable behaviour—whether by members, guests, speakers, or sponsors—will not be tolerated. The following behaviours are unacceptable in the CAA community:
- Violence, threats of violence, or violent language directed against another person
- Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or otherwise discriminatory jokes or language
- Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material
- Personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion or disability
- Inappropriate photography or recording
- Inappropriate physical contact
- Unwelcome sexual attention, including sexualized comments or jokes, inappropriate touching, groping, or unwelcome sexual advances
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following (online or in person)
- Advocating for or encouraging any of the above behaviour
- Disruption of community events, including talks and presentations
- Plagiarism or copyright violations
We expect all participants in CAA events to follow this Code of Conduct in all venues, online and in person, as well as in all one-on-one communications pertaining to CAA activities.
This Code of Conduct and its related procedures also apply to unacceptable behaviour occurring outside the scope of CAA activities when such behaviour could adversely affect the safety and well-being of CAA members, or the rights of any writers worldwide.
Reporting and Follow-up
If you are subject to or witness unacceptable behaviour in relation to CAA activities, or have any other concerns, please notify a local organizer—such as a member of your branch or twig executive committee—as soon as possible. You may also notify the administrative director (office@canadianauthors.org) and/or the National Chair or Co-Chair. They will investigate your report as quickly as possible and will treat the matter with respect, sensitivity, and confidentiality.
Any CAA organizer can issue a verbal warning to someone whose behaviour violates the Code of Conduct. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.
In keeping with CAA’s governing bylaws, if someone engages or has engaged in unacceptable behaviour, the Board of Directors may take any action it deems appropriate, up to and including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the event or organization without warning (and without refund in the case of a paid event or membership). Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Members who feel they have been falsely or unfairly accused of violating this Code of Conduct should notify the National Chair or Co-Chair with a concise description of their grievance. A review committee comprised of at least two members of the board of directors will be struck, as needed, to review grievances. Its decision will be final.