Rules – Frequently Asked Questions –  October 2026 

Several FAQs were developed to respond to recurring questions and topics from members. They are grouped by category below. 

Purpose and Scope

1. What are the Rules of Professional Conduct? 

The Rules of Professional Conduct set out the ethical and professional standards that members of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries are required to follow. They cover areas such as integrity, competence, professional behaviour and responsibility to the public interest. 

2. Are the Rules becoming more restrictive? 

No. The scope of the Rules is not changing. The Rules are principles-based, meaning they set expectations rather than prescribing detailed rules for every scenario. A principles-based approach: 

• Recognizes that not every situation can be defined in advance 
• Emphasizes professional judgment as a core part of actuarial practice 
• Supports consistent expectations across evolving areas of work 

3. Does Rule 1 apply to conduct outside actuarial work? 

Rule 1 has always had broader application than rules tied only to professional services because it aims to protect public trust and the reputation of the profession. However, it is not intended to regulate ordinary personal conduct, private disagreements, lawful personal opinions or matters with no meaningful connection to the profession.  

Rule 1 would generally apply only where conduct is sufficiently serious and, viewed objectively and in context, could reasonably undermine public confidence in the profession or reflect adversely on it. The proposed changes to the CIA Rules are consistent with principles found in the codes of conduct of many other actuarial associations and professions. Notable examples include: 

4. Do the Rules limit professional debate or personal expression? 

No. The Rules are not intended to suppress debate or differing views. They are designed to ensure that discussions – even when there is disagreement – are conducted with professionalism, respect and integrity in a way that maintains confidence in the profession. 

5. Does Rule 1 mean members can be disciplined for unpopular or controversial personal views? 

No. The Rules are not intended to prevent legitimate disagreement, criticism or expression of personal views. The issue is not whether others disagree with or object to a member’s views. The relevant question is whether the conduct, viewed objectively and in context, is sufficiently serious and sufficiently connected to the member’s professional identity or the profession to reasonably affect public confidence in the profession. 

Professional services 

6. If “professional services” is now defined in the Rules as “The rendering of advice, recommendations, opinions or analysis by a member in a professional capacity, regardless of remuneration, where it could reasonably be expected that the member’s training, experience or professional judgment associated with their CIA membership could be relied upon,” does that mean that anything I do outside my actuarial practice cannot breach the Rules? 

No. Some Rules explicitly apply when a member provides professional services, but Rule 1 is not limited in this way. It applies to any conduct that could affect public trust or the reputation of the profession. However, a charge under Rule 1 would typically be considered only where there is a serious breach of public trust or a risk of serious harm to the profession’s reputation.  

7. Would informal advice to family or friends be considered professional services? 

Not ordinarily. Casual discussions with family or friends, such as general comments about insurance, mortgages, retirement planning or personal financial decisions, would not automatically be professional services merely because the person making the comments is an actuary. However, if a member undertakes a role or provides advice in circumstances where others clearly rely on the member’s CIA-related professional judgment, the member should consider whether the Rules apply and whether they are qualified to provide the opinion. 

8. Does the broader definition of “professional services” mean anything I say could be subject to the Rules? 

No. The Rules are applied in context and rely on professional judgment. They are intended to apply when professional expertise is being used and relied upon, and where the reputation of the profession may be influenced by the actions of a member. It would not apply to informal or everyday personal interactions unrelated to the professional judgment of a member, where the reputation of the profession would not be harmed. 

9. Would informal advice or sharing an opinion be considered “professional services”? 

No. That is not the intent. “Professional services” is intended to capture situations where actuaries are applying professional expertise, in a professional capacity, and where their specialized training, experience and professional judgment as a member of the CIA are being relied upon. It would not apply to informal or everyday personal interactions unrelated to the professional judgment of a member, where the reputation of the profession would not be harmed. Everyday conversations, expressing general opinions or having informal discussions are not the focus of the Rules. 

10. How do I know if the Rules apply in a specific situation? 

The key considerations are: 

• Are you acting in a professional capacity? 
• Could your professional judgment or actions reasonably be relied upon? 
• Could your conduct affect public trust in the profession? 

If uncertainty remains after reviewing available guidance, consulting with others, or seeking clarification, members are advised to err on the side of integrity. 

11. How do the Rules apply to volunteer work? 

Volunteer work is not automatically considered professional services. The Rules may apply where a member acts in a professional capacity and others rely on the member’s CIA-related training, experience or professional judgment. For example, serving on an actuarial standards committee or providing actuarial expertise in a governance or advisory role may engage the Rules. Ordinary community volunteering, recreational activities or administrative tasks would not ordinarily engage the Rules simply because the person is an actuary. 

12. How do the Rules apply to retired or CPD-exempt members? 

Retired or CPD-exempt members can offer personal views or informal advice in ordinary settings. However, if a retired or CPD-exempt member undertakes work or provides advice in circumstances where others may reasonably rely on the member’s CIA-related training, experience or professional judgment in a professional capacity, the member should consider how the Rules apply, whether they are qualified to do the work or provide the advice and whether any continuing qualification requirements apply. 

Proposed amendments

13. Why are the Rules being updated? 

The changes are being made to ensure the Rules remain clear, current and effective in a changing professional environment, while preserving their principle-based nature. They respond to member and stakeholder feedback, address issues raised by the Actuarial Profession Oversight Board (APOB) regarding conflicts of interest and volunteer work and provide clearer guidance on how the Rules apply across the broader range of roles in which actuaries now serve. The overall objective is to support consistent professional expectations, sound judgment and continued public confidence in the actuarial profession. 

14. What do the proposed changes mean for members? 

The changes are intended to provide greater clarity rather than alter the day-to-day practice of members. The Rules will continue to rely on professional judgment, application of Standards of Practice and context-specific interpretation. Supporting guidance has also been developed to help members better understand and apply the Rules in practice. 

15. Why are terms like “client” and “professional services” being changed or reconsidered? 

The proposed changes reflect how actuarial practice has evolved. Actuaries today work in many different contexts, such as being employees (without traditional clients), in multidisciplinary teams, in volunteer roles, and in roles that influence public policy or internal decision-making. The updated terminology helps ensure the Rules apply consistently across these different roles. It does not fundamentally change the scope, interpretation or application of the Rules. 

16. Why not require member confirmation of Guidance changes? 

The Guidance on the Rules of Professional Conduct (Guidance) does not create new binding obligations; it helps members understand and apply the Rules, which remain enforceable. Requiring members to confirm every change would therefore be disproportionate to the Guidance’s explanatory and interpretive role. Board approval, together with the member consultation and publication requirements added to Section 13 of the Bylaws, is intended to balance transparency and member engagement with the need to keep the Guidance current and responsive as professional practice evolves. 

Relationships with clients and employers

17. How do confidentiality obligations interact with co-operation with the Professional Conduct Board? 

Under Rule 12, a member must co-operate fully with requests from the Professional Conduct Board or other disciplinary bodies, notwithstanding any confidentiality or non‑disclosure obligations. This co-operation is an important part of self-regulation. Where confidentiality obligations exist, members should take reasonable steps to address them, which may include seeking consent, limiting disclosure to what is necessary, relying on applicable exceptions or obtaining legal advice. 

Information provided to the Professional Conduct Board under Rule 12 is handled confidentially and is not disclosed beyond the disciplinary bodies involved, except as required under the Bylaws or by applicable law. 

18. Does Rule 5 prevent advocacy for a client or employer? 

No. Rule 5 is not intended to prevent appropriate advocacy on behalf of a client, employer or other party, provided the member’s professional judgment is not improperly biased or compromised and any relevant conflicts are appropriately identified and disclosed, managed or avoided. Advocacy must remain consistent with the member’s professional responsibilities and the public interest. 

19. Why move away from a strict definition of “client,” including paid or unpaid relationships? 

The traditional concept of “client” does not fully reflect the practice of actuaries today. For example, actuaries may work within organizations with multiple stakeholders, produce work used by various audiences, have responsibilities that extend beyond a single client relationship, or provide actuarial services in a professional volunteer capacity. The updated approach reflects a more accurate description of “professional services,” while also maintaining clear expectations for professional conduct. 

20. Does removing or redefining “client” reduce protections for those relying on actuarial work? 

No. The Rules continue to require integrity and competence, appropriate disclosure and transparency, management of conflicts of interest, and responsibility for how work may be used. These expectations apply regardless of whether the relationship is described as a “client” relationship. 

Control of professional services 

21. Are members expected to prevent all misuse of their reports under the obligations of Rule 6? 

No. Members are expected to take reasonable precautions but are not required to guarantee that misuse will never occur. Reasonable steps may include clear statements of purpose, intended users, limitations on reliance, appropriate disclaimers and warnings against using excerpts out of context. If a member becomes aware that their work is being used in a materially misleading way, they should consider reasonable corrective steps where practical and appropriate. 

22. How does Rule 6 apply to reports or publications prepared by committees or task forces? 

Rule 6 is intended to ensure that responsibility and accountability for professional findings are clear. It does not require every contributor to a committee publication to remain personally available indefinitely or assume disclosure obligations beyond their role. Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may rest with the sponsoring body, committee, board or other entity under whose authority the work was produced. 

Competence and qualifications

23. Why does Rule 2 refer to acting “competently” and being “qualified” rather than only holding formal qualifications? 

Formal credentials and CPD compliance are important, but they may not be sufficient in every circumstance. A member may have the required designation and meet CPD requirements but still need additional experience, training, support, peer review, supervision or disclosure of limitations before undertaking particular professional services. Rule 2 is intended to require members to consider whether they are appropriately qualified in the circumstances. 

24. Does a mistake mean a member was not qualified or competent? 

Not necessarily. Mistakes can occur even when a member is appropriately qualified and has acted with reasonable care and competence. The relevant questions are whether the member was qualified to undertake the work and whether they took reasonable steps to perform it competently, having regard to the nature of the work, applicable standards, their experience and any support or review that may have been needed. 

Disciplinary process 

25. How are the Rules enforced? 

The CIA has an established disciplinary process that applies the Rules fairly and with due process. This process is rigorous and well-defined, and it is intended to support professionalism and public trust, not to enforce uniformity of opinion. 

26. Does every concern raised lead to an investigation or disciplinary action?  

No. Any complaint or information received by the Professional Conduct Board (PCB) is reviewed carefully to determine whether it falls within the scope of the Rules. Where appropriate, an investigation may be undertaken to gather relevant facts and evidence, with decisions based on the information available and the application of the Rules. 

Not all matters move forward, and outcomes vary depending on the circumstances, ranging from no further action to educational guidance or, in more serious cases, referral to a disciplinary tribunal. This approach helps ensure that responses are proportionate and grounded in the specific facts of each situation. 

27. How are more complex or unclear situations handled?  

The Rules are principles-based, which means that some situations require professional judgment. In these cases, the PCB considers the specific facts, context and potential impact on public trust and the profession when determining next steps. This structured, case-by-case approach is intended to ensure that matters are assessed carefully and fairly, rather than through rigid or automatic outcomes. 

28. Does Rule 13 require a member to ensure that an apparent material non-compliance is resolved? 

No. Where reasonably appropriate in the circumstances, a member should consider discussing the matter with the member whose conduct is in question and should attempt to resolve the apparent non-compliance. If the matter remains unresolved and is material, the member must report it to the appropriate body. The member is not required to ensure personally that the matter is resolved.