Terms Of Service

IMPORTANT! THESE TERMS OF SERVICE (referred to as "TOS") GOVERN YOUR USE OF THIS SITE, WHICH IS PROVIDED BY CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT (CAFE) (FORMERLY KNOWING AS THE ONTARIO ASSOCIATION FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT CREDIT COUNSELLING SERVICES ‘OACCS‘) (referred to as "COMPANY").  BY ACCESSING THIS SITE, YOU ARE INDICATING YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS OF USE. IN ADDITION BY SUBSCRIBING TO ANY SERVICES, REGISTERING AND MAINTAINING DESIGNATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS, ACCREDITATION OR OTHER ASSOCIATION AFFILIATION,OT LIMITED TO MEMBERSHIPS, SUBSCRIPTIONS, SPONSORSHIPS, EMPOWERMENT CAFE, AFCC LEARNING LAB, AFCC AUTHORS INDUSTRY NEWS, CAFE CONNECT and CAFE CERTIFIED COUNSELLOR-TO-CLIENT BUSINESS IN A BOX SOFTWARE SOLUTION (CREATOR/CREATOR PRO OR ORGANIZATION (which specific discussions for ENTERPRISE NEED) YOU ADHERE AND ACKNOWLEDGE COMPLIANCE WITH OUR CODE OF CONDUCT AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE, MADE AVAILABLE BY LINK ABOVE UNDER CERTIFICATION. THESE CODE OF ETHICS, STANDARDS OF PRACTICE, TERMS OF USE AND OTHER SUCH PRIVACY DOCUMENTS AND GUIDES/INFORMATION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY OUR COMPANY AT ANY TIME IN ITS DISCRETION. YOUR USE OF THIS SITE AFTER SUCH CHANGES ARE IMPLEMENTED CONSTITUTES YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE CHANGES. PLEASE CONSULT THIS WEBSITE PRIOR TO EVERY USE FOR ANY CHANGES. YOU MUST BE EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OR OLDER TO ACCESS THIS WEB SITE. IF YOU ARE UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE, YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ACCESS THIS WEB SITE WITHOUT THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF A GUARDIAN PRESENT. 

To access this site or some of the resources it has to offer, you may be asked to provide certain registration details or other information.  It is a condition of your use of this site that all the information you provide on this site will be correct, current, and complete.  If CAFE believes the information you provide is not correct, current, or complete, or that certification status has been falsified, or there has been a violation of the CODE OF ETHICS or STANDARDS OF PRACTICE, we have the right to refuse you access to this site, designation or any of its resources, and to terminate or suspend your access at any time, without notice or refund where applicable.

Terms of Service

Effective Date: June 1, 2024
Last Updated: November 5, 2024

1. Introduction

Welcome to the Canadian Association for Financial Empowerment (CAFE). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of all CAFE services, platforms, and resources, including CAFE Connect, certification programs, and membership systems. By accessing our site or services, you acknowledge and agree to these Terms, as well as our Privacy Policy.

Disclaimer:

CAFE regularly updates its Terms of Service to reflect changes in laws, technology, and best practices. The latest version will always be available at www.cafe-acaf.org. For questions, contact privacy@cafe-acaf.org.

2. Scope of Services

CAFE offers services designed to empower individuals and organizations to provide equitable financial counselling:

  1. Certification and Membership Programs:

    1. Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada® (AFCC) certification programs ensure adherence to ethical standards.

    2. Membership tiers include AFCC Subscriber, AFCC Candidate Subscriber, and Empowerment Ambassador.

    3. CAFE Connect: A white-label “Counsellor-to-Client (C2C) Business-in-a-Box” solution, certified by CAFE, enabling ethical, community-driven financial counselling.

  2. CAFE Connect: A white-label “Counsellor-to-Client (C2C) Business-in-a-Box” solution, certified by CAFE, enabling ethical, community-driven opportunities for any Canadian who upholds the Standards of CAFE, can now create the community empowerment business / service or support that speaks to their passion while not having to re-create the wheel, incur inequitable pricing nor be subject to restricted client licenses. We have built the amalgamated program and it’s white label options in Creator / Creator Pro and Organizations ( social service or smaller financial literacy teams, Credit Unions, Banking, Social Services, Niche Focus Client Care, indigenous Communities, New Canadians and a place where financial counsellors who uphold the standard can be empowered to be the excellence that their passion calls them to me.

  3. Certification and Membership Programs:

    • Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada® (AFCC) certification programs ensure adherence to ethical standards.

    • Membership tiers include AFCC Subscriber, AFCC Candidate Subscriber, and Empowerment Ambassador.

  4. Global Standards Leadership: Collaborating with the AFCPE®, federal government, provincial authorities, and global partners to elevate financial care standards.

3. User Obligations

Registration Information:

  • You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information when registering for services.

  • CAFE reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts for fraudulent or inaccurate submissions.

Appropriate Use:

You agree not to:

4. Proprietary Information

All content, certifications, and systems provided by CAFE are protected under Canadian intellectual property laws. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.

5. Data Protection and Privacy

Your use of CAFE services is subject to our Privacy Policy (https://www.cafe-acaf.org/privacy).

6. Accessibility Commitment

CAFE ensures compliance with the Accessibility for Canadians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and other provincial accessibility laws. Please see our Candidate Handbook for instructions and policies on requesting accessiblity accommodations or reach out to our offices at certification@cafe-acaf.org.

7. Termination of Use

CAFE reserves the right to terminate or suspend access for users who violate these Terms or engage in unlawful activities.

8. Limitation of Liability

CAFE will not be liable for incidental, indirect, or consequential damages resulting from the use of its services, to the fullest extent permitted by Canadian law.

9. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising under these Terms will be resolved under Canadian law in the courts of Ontario.

10. Updates to These Terms

CAFE may revise these Terms periodically. Users will be notified of material changes via website notices or email.These Terms were updated on June 1, 2024