Resolution:

Inappropriate behaviour on the part of CAPA – the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists

DEFEATED | November 2024

RATIONALE / PURPOSE FOR RESOLUTION:

Whereas CAPA claims to be a professional organization:

• • CAPA was originally founded as the Canadian Association of Apiculturists (CAA) in 1959. At the 1974 Annual meeting held in Banff, the CAA decided to change its name and federally register and professionalize the organization. Hence from 1975 onward, the organization has been known as the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA)
    From capabees.com/about/
  • CAPA is no longer federally registered as a Not-for-Profit organization
  • CAPA cannot be found to be registered as a Professional Corporation in Canada or the provinces.
    And
  • Whereas professional organizations are generally established to advocate for and regulate their members, CAPA has proclaimed itself as a source of independent scientific/without peer-review advice to associations and governments despite this inherent contradiction.
    And
  • Whereas CAPA members have acted as consultants and advisors to the Canadian Honey Council, the beekeeping industry and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) through their committee structure.
    And
  • Whereas through CAPA’s non-regulated committee structure have provide reports to CFIA which have misrepresented the state of disease in Canada, overstated the state of disease in the United States and understated the risk of disease in the Ukraine. This has been evident in the risk assessment for the Ukraine. The lack of scientific evidence for Tropilaelaps, noted in the Ukraine risk assessment concluded that Tropilaelaps wasn’t present in proximity to the Ukraine. It was subsequently found that Tropilaelaps was present at the time that CFIA made the decision to allow imports of first queens and then packages from Ukraine. And
  • Whereas CAPA does not fit the requirements of a professional organization.
    And
  • Whereas It is commercial beekeepers who fit the designation of professional apiculturists because there is a Bee Act in all provinces that subject them to regulation. CAPA has misappropriated the name for their own use as they are not subject to any regulation. They have used it to claim greater authority than they deserve.
    And
  • Whereas CAPA produces and publicly publishes reports such as the Africanized Honey Bee Report which are not subject to inspection or peer review while making the claim they are scientific and providing these same reports to CFIA to use during risk assessments.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The Alberta Beekeepers Commission does not fund research of CAPA members or invite them to speak at Alberta Beekeeper Commission events or allow them to participate in ABC business in anyway.

RESOLUTION BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Definitions:
Professional Organizations: In Canada, membership in professional organizations refers to joining associations, societies, or networks that represent specific professions or industries. These organizations often provide a range of services, resources, and benefits to their members, including professional development, networking opportunities, certification, advocacy, and standards of practice. www.Peninsula.com
Types of Professional Organizations: There are four types of professional organizations https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-is-a-professional-organization

1. Member benefit professional associations: These organizations focus primarily on benefiting their individual members through access to physical resources, like journals and conferences. They also offer resources like peer support, networking and resume building.
2. Designation-granting associations: Designation-granting associations are organizations that offer a certification for members to show their dedication to the field
3. Certifying bodies: Certifying bodies are organizations that issue credentials to their members once they meet set requirements.
4. Professional regulatory bodies: Professional regulatory bodies develop and maintain expectations of the industry. They follow state and federal guidelines in order to best serve the public.

A Professional Corporation has a very specific definition in Alberta. It is an entity that provides professional services by regulated member(s) of a profession who is/are governed by a professional body. The member is an employee of the Professional Corporation, which carries on the business of the professional practice. Duncan & Craig LLP
https://dcllp.com/publications/what-is-a-professional-corporation1.pdf

Name of producer submitting resolution: Peter Awram

Name of person seconding resolution: Bill Termeer

UPDATE