CIRP Certification Mark

In 1992, following our name change, the "CIP" designation was created for general and life members. We created a designation to increase the profile of members and the Association. This addressed the part of our mission which stated that we wish to "attract, develop and support members who are the recognized leaders in providing insolvency/business recovery services". However, there was another very important reason for conferring a designation on members. One of the Association's goals has been to obtain rights and privileges as a self-regulating professional body. Before obtaining any rights, our Association and members must demonstrate that we are capable of meeting the responsibilities that accompany those rights and privileges. These include protection of the public and insuring a high standard of competence through education and training. Expulsion of a member does not prevent him or her from practising. However, losing the designation increases the consequences of misconduct and, as public recognition of "CIP" increases, the conduct and discipline process becomes more meaningful. In 2001, we changed the CIP designation to the certification mark CIRP. The R stands for restructuring, as in the Associations newly adopted name Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP), which better reflects the practices of our members.

FCIRP

The Board may elect Fellows for distinguished service to the Profession or for bringing distinction to the Profession. At the 1996 Annual General Meeting, our 16 past presidents were awarded their certificates as Fellows. At our 1997 Annual General Meeting, five more members were named Fellows. We encourage CAIRP members to use their certification mark whenever they can.  As an example, Past President George Lomas has more than one designation in addition to the certification mark and signs his letters as follows: "George B. Lomas, CA•CIRP, FCA, Fellow Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional (FCIRP)"

The CIRP Certification Mark is supported by the Rules, bylaws and standards of the Association, and with the advent of the CQP, a single standard of education, training and examination. It is not easy to obtain and consequently our members display it proudly.