Human Resources Professionals Association Defence Lawyers

Human resources professionals, like many other professionals in Canada, must be adequately educated, licensed and regulated by the province in which they practice. Each province will regulate their professionals in their own way.

The Human Resources Professionals Association is an organization that regulates human resources professionals across Ontario. Currently, there are over 24,000 members in Ontario. The role of this organization  is to protect the public by ensuring that it’s members are able to provide up to date and knowledgeable services to advance growth and employee optimization in the workplace.

Some of the Human Resources Professionals Association’s main roles include: ensuring that the profession is only practiced by competent and ethical human resources professionals, members and students are competent and practice the profession in a manner that does not pose a risk to the public, adequately dealing with students and professionals who contravene the standards expected of the profession, and managing relationships with stakeholders and maintaining public confidence in the regulation of the human resources profession. They are also in charge of: developing policy, the registration and certification of human resources professionals, quality assurance and verification, and dealing with complaints made against the profession.

An individual or a firm must not purport to represent themselves as being members of the Human Resources Professionals Association or as being qualified to offer such services if they are not duly registered with the Association. A contravention of the above could result in fines of up to $25,000.

In order to maintain practice as a human resources professional in Ontario, one must not have a physical or mental illness, condition, addiction or disorder that would affect their capacity to practice the profession in a responsible and competent manner. If there are concerns regarding a members fitness to practice, the Human Resources Professionals Association may launch an investigation into the matter and determine whether the member is in fact incapacitated or unfit to practice. During the investigation, the member have to undergo medical or psychological evaluations.

Legal Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Bankrupt or Insolvent Human Resource Firms
How are Human Resource Professional Regulated
Internationally Trained Human Resource Professionals
Appealing Decisions of the Human Resources Professionals Association
Becoming Part of the Board of Directors
Students and the Human Resources Professionals Association

What Happens if a Human Resource Professional and/or the Firm is Bankrupt or Insolvent?

Where a member or firm has experienced bankruptcy, they must notify the Registrar immediately. This is because an individual or firm who is bankrupt or insolvent could pose a  risk of harm to the public. The Registrar may then refer the matter to the Review committee who will conduct an  investigation into the matters leading to the bankruptcy or insolvency. Following investigation into the matter, the Review Committee could take no action, require the member/firm to provide documents on an on-going basis, or hold a hearing to discuss the matter.

How are Human Resources Professionals  Regulated?

The Human Resources Professionals Association is empowered by the Registered Human Resources Professional Acts, 2013 and the regulations made under it. The Act outlines the objectives of the Association, the powers and duties of the Board, the specific requirements and procedures surrounding membership into the Association, rules governing human resources related firms, prohibitions and offences, methods of dealing with complains and discipline, investigation process, etc. Members of the Human Resources Professionals are also regulated by the HRPA’s bylaws, rules of professional conduct, codes of conduct, etc.

Can Internationally Trained Human Resources Professionals Join the Human Resources Professionals Association?

Human resources professionals who are educated or trained internationally may apply to join the Human Resources Professionals Association. Those who are new to Canada ( have been in Canada for less than a period of 2 years) are able to join at a reduced price. An application may be submitted through the HRPA’s website

Can Decisions Made by the Human Resources Professionals Association be Appealed?

There are 2 types of appeals that may take place within the HRPA: hearings and reviews. A hearing may occur where the decision or order that is appealed was made after a hearing (such as a decision by the Discipline Committee, the Capacity Committee and/or the Review Committee) while reviews are conducted over decisions made by a committee member or the Registrar. In order to have standing for an internal appeal, the applicant must have a legitimate reason for the appeal. This may include allegations of a denial of natural justice:

  • They did not have fair chance to present case
  • The decision making body was biased/not impartial
  • The process itself was unfair or unreasonable
  • They were not given proper notice of a proceeding
  • Evidence that should have been disclosed was not disclosed
  • A denial of the right to representation
  • Failure to inform individuals of their rights

Or a substantive error has been made in coming to the decision:

  • The correct facts were not considered
  • The correct rules or policies in coming to the decision were not applied

The decision the Appeal Committee comes to is final, unless the excision is to suspend or revoke a member/firm’s membership. The decisions of the Appeal Committee may also be subject to judicial review by the divisional court.

Becoming Part of the Board of Directors of the Human Resources Professionals Association

The Board of Directors of the HRPA have a number of duties and goals and is committed to representing a diverse mix of expertise, experience and backgrounds and furthering the agenda and goals of the HRPA. The hours spent as a volunteer member of the Board may count towards the required professional development hours required  for human resources professionals.  To become a member of the Board of Directors of the HRPA, there are certain criteria and goals one must demonstrate.  This includes experience with diversity and inclusion initiatives, previous experience with the HRPA as a volunteer or with the board,  providing leadership to its’ members and students, bringing awareness and understanding regarding technology and security revolving around human resources practises, designing educational and training courses to its members, having strong business acumen and marketing capabilities, etc.

Can Students Studying Human Resources Become Members of the Human Resources Professionals Association?

Students who are studying human resources and are enrolled in a human resources program that is an accredited post-secondary education institution with at least 3 courses per semester, and are not working full time will be eligible for registration with the HRPA as a student member. This membership allows the student to access various events, resources, resume clinics, case competitions and networking opportunities to be prepared with the knowledge and expertise required to succeed in the human resources field.

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