Communication Intermediary Code of Practice

This Code of Practice provides supplementary guidance for Communication Intermediaries (CIs) practising in Canada. It includes detailed recommendations on specific actions that CIs should and should not take when conducting their work, within the four areas of focus outlined in the CAJust Code of Ethics.  

This Code of Practice is updated regularly and does not represent an exhaustive list of actions that should be taken by a CI in any given professional setting. In addition, this Code of Practice does not represent a set of regulatory requirements for CIs.  

Professionalism 

  • A CI must be authorized to provide services by the individual for whom they are acting as an intermediary. 

  • CIs should only accept work as a CI in circumstances where the scope of the work aligned with their training and professional experience.  

  • CIs should be informed about the rules and procedures that govern the context – police, corrections, judicial, etc. – in which they are providing services.  

  • CIs should disclose, during their work, any difficulties that would limit their ability to mediate complete and accurate communication.  

  • CIs should decline or remove themselves from work where there is a perceived or real conflict of interest.  

  • CIs will notify CAJust, as well as any current and potential clients, of any pending legal action, investigations, or complaints regarding their work as a CI.  

  • CIs will refrain from providing CI services in jurisdictions where they are not currently eligible to be licensed as a registered speech language pathologist.  

Neutrality 

  • CI are to remain neutral and impartial in their work and ensure that those they interact with are aware of this neutrality and impartiality. 

  • Further to their role as a neutral intermediary, CI should not simultaneously act as a CI and a witness, advisor, advocate, mediator, personal attendant, or other similar role.  

  • CIs should not provide their opinion on the truth of an individual’s statement(s) when working as a CI.  

Confidentiality 

  • CIs should treat all information about both individuals and cases as strictly confidential, unless otherwise identified as not being so. 

Respect 

  • CIs should respect the authority of groups and individuals within the police, corrections, legal, and justice systems. 

  • CIs will respect any legal decisions rendered in the cases they are involved with.  

Updated November 2, 2021.  

Developed from the UK Ministry of Justice's 2020 Registered Intermediary Procedural Guidance and the Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC) Code of Practice.