Professional engineers shall conduct themselves in an honourable and ethical manner. Professional engineers shall uphold the values of truth, honesty and trustworthiness and safeguard human life and welfare and the environment. In keeping with these basic tenets, professional engineers shall:
- Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and the protection of the environment and promote health and safety within the workplace;
- Offer services, advise on or undertake engineering assignments only in areas of their competence and practise in a careful and diligent manner;
- Act as faithful agents of their clients or employers, maintain confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest;
- Keep themselves informed in order to maintain their competence, strive to advance the body of knowledge within which they practise and provide opportunities for the professional development of their subordinates;
- Conduct themselves with equity, fairness, courtesy and good faith towards clients, colleagues and others, give credit where it is due, and accept, as well as give, honest and fair professional criticism;
- Present clearly to employers and clients the possible consequences if engineering decisions or judgements are overruled or disregarded;
- Report to their association or other appropriate agencies any illegal or unethical engineering decisions or practices by engineers or others;
- Be aware of and ensure that clients and employers are made aware of societal and environmental consequences of actions or projects and endeavour to interpret engineering issues to the public in an objective and truthful manner; and
- Treat equitably and promote the equitable treatment of all clients, colleagues and coworkers, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental ability, marital or family status, and national origin.
Source: Engineers Canada (Guideline on the Code of Ethics)