Terms of service

TERMS OF SERVICE

 

Latest update:  October 20th, 2022

 

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF SERVICE CAREFULLY (and all agreements included in this agreement by referral), since this is a contract entered into by you (hereinafter “you” or “the User”) and Oxilia Inc. (hereinafter “Oxilia”) (each a “Party” and collectively the “Parties”).

 

Terms capitalized but not specifically defined below have the meaning given to them in section 1 of these Terms.

 

These Terms of Service (hereinafter the “Terms” or the “Contract”) govern the use of the Oxilia platform that connects Professionals providing Professional Services with Establishments seeking Professional Services, through Postings. These services are accessible on www.oxilia.ca and all www.oxilia.ca subdomains as well as all other websites through which Oxilia offers these services (hereinafter, collectively, the “Site”). For purpose of these Terms, the expression Site is deemed to include all services available on the Site.

 

IF THE USER DOES NOT ACCEPT THESE TERMS, THE USER MAY NOT USE THE SITE AND MUST CEASE USE OF AND ACCESS TO THE SITE.

 

THIS DOCUMENT IS A LEGAL CONTRACT. By acknowledging this Contract or accessing and/or using the Site, the User accepts these Terms in his own name or on behalf of the entity he represents in connection with the use of the Site. The User ensures and warrants that the User holds the right, authority, and capacity to accept these Terms in the User’s own name or on behalf of the entity or person the User represents. If the User is a natural person, the User confirms that he or she is of legal age of majority in the jurisdiction in which he or she resides, to be able to use or access the Site and execute this Contract. All directives, terms, or rules, as well as Oxilia’s Confidentiality Policy, are incorporated in these Terms by reference and the User covenants to accept and submit to these when accessing or using the Site.

 

  1. Definitions and interpretation

 

1.1 Interpretation

 

In these Terms, words written in the singular include the plural and vice versa; words written in the masculine include the feminine and vice versa; and the expression “person” includes any natural person, legal person, partnership, labour union, unincorporated organization or association, and government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

1.2 Definitions

 

“Establishment” means a Member seeking Professional Services on the Site, including any affiliates or related entities, including all clinics that are within the same group.

 

“Member” means a person who creates an Account, as this term is defined in section 3 herein, specifically including Professionals and Establishments.

 

“Posting” means an offer of Professional Services posted by a Professional or a request for Professional Services posted by an Establishment on the Site.

 

“Professional” means a Member who offers Professional Services on the Site.

 

“Professional Services” means staff locum services provided by a Professional to an Establishment and/or casual services provided by a Professional to an Establishment due to a temporary excess workload or for purposes of a specific project.

 

“Service Contract” means a contract entered directly between a Professional and an Establishment for the provision of Professional Services.

 

“Tax” or “Taxes” means any tax on sales, value-added tax (VAT), tax on goods and services (GST), any other taxes that Members may be legally required to collect and remit to government authorities, any other similar indirect state, federal or provincial tax, or other withholding and tax on income or profits.

 

  1. Site

 

The Site constitutes an online platform on which Professionals and Establishments may create Postings for offers or requests for Professional Services and connect with each other to enter into a Service Contract. When a Professional and an Establishment agree on the provision of Professional Services following a Posting, a Service Contract will be formed as soon as practicable between them and will specifically include the terms described in these Terms and any other terms that may be agreed to from time to time by the Professional and the Establishment, without Oxilia’s intervention. Invoices and payments related to said Service Contract are made online through the Site under the terms stipulated in these Terms.

 

  1. Eligibility conditions

 

To use the Site, you must register on the Site by creating an account (hereinafter the “Account”). To be able to create an Account, you must be—and you hereby state that you are—a legal person or a natural person at least 18 years of age, legally able to enter into a contract with Oxilia. Any use and any access to the Site by persons less than 18 years of age is strictly prohibited and constitutes a violation of these Terms. You also state that: (i) your use of the Site does not violate any legislation or regulation applicable in Canada or the United States or any other applicable legislation or regulation; (ii) you are not located in a country subject to embargo, or in a geographic area where access to the Site is prohibited by the applicable legislation; and (iii) you are not listed as or related to a prohibited or restricted party pursuant to applicable legislation and regulations governing export controls. By creating an Account and using the Site, you accept and agree to: (i) comply with the legal business registration obligations; (ii) be legally empowered to practise the profession for which the Professional Services are required, including obtaining and maintaining in effect any permits or licence required to work or practice your profession (iii) meet the obligations to which you are subject in compliance with any Service Contract to which you are a party; and (iv) comply with these Terms and with all applicable local, state/provincial, national, and international legislation, rules, and regulations.

 

Oxilia reserves the right to suspend or revoke your Account and your access to the Site if any information you provide is found to be false, inaccurate, incomplete or misleading, if your use of the Site violates these Terms in any way whatsoever, or for any other reason deemed valid, at Oxilia’s full discretion.

 

  1. Registration and Account

 

When you register, you must provide certain information required on the registration form and produce a copy of a piece of identification valid in the province or territory in which you operate your business. You may not have more than one active Account and you declare and warrant that all the registration information submitted is true, complete, and accurate, and that you will keep the accuracy, veracity and completeness of the said information up to date. During registration by the User, Oxilia will verify the validity of the professional licence registered for the Account with the appropriate professional associations, but makes no guarantee in respect of subsequent validity of the licence. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you must notify Oxilia immediately in writing at info@oxilia.ca of any change affecting validity of the professional licence registered for the Account.

  1. Identity and Account security

 

Oxilia reserves at all times the right to verify and validate the information of the Account, specifically through government identification, business registration, professional association, or other third-party databases. Oxilia may ask you, directly or through a third party, to provide an additional form of identification to confirm your identity or your authorization to represent your business, as applicable. Oxilia makes no declaration or guarantee in respect of Members, their identity, or their background, and Oxilia declines all liability in respect of any error or omission in the said information.

You are fully responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the connection identifiers for your Account as well as for the activities in which you engage through your Account. You agree to use “complex” passwords (passwords consisting of a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols) to connect to your Account, and to keep the said password secret, to prevent other persons from accessing the said Account without your permission. You agree to notify Oxilia immediately of any unauthorized use or any suspicion of unauthorized use of your Account, or of any other security violation. Oxilia declines all liability in respect of any loss or damage resulting from failure by the User to comply with the requirements described in this section.

 

  1. Restrictions on use of the Site

 

When you use the Site, you declare that you may not:

  • modify, create derivative works, disassemble, decompile, or perform reverse engineering operations in respect of any portion of the Site;
  • access the Site for the purpose of developing a similar or competing service, nor use the Site for any commercial or other purposes not expressly authorized by these Terms;
  • upload, transmit, or distribute any virus or computer worm whatsoever, or software intended to damage or alter the operation of a computer or communications network, portable mobile device, the Site, or any other system, device or property of Oxilia;
  • obstruct, disrupt, or attempt to obtain unauthorized access to, the servers or networks connected to the Site, nor violate the regulations, policies or procedures linked to the said networks;
  • access (or attempt to access) the Site by means other than through the interface provided by Oxilia;
  • delete, hide, or modify any notice of property rights (including copyright and trademark rights) that may be contained in or linked with the Site;
  • decompile, perform reverse engineering, or attempt in any other way to obtain the source code or underlying ideas or information about or related to the Site;
  • compromise the security of any computer network, or decipher any password or any security encryption code;
  • execute Maillist, Listserv, or any other automatic reply or “spam” software on or in relation to the Site, or any other process that adversely affects in any other way the proper operation of the Site (including placing an unreasonable load on the Site infrastructure);
  • infringe on the rights of Oxilia or its Members or any other natural or legal person, specifically including its intellectual property, privacy, image, or contract rights;
  • invite or solicit in any Member in any other way to use third-party web services or sites that compete with those of Oxilia;
  • violate any law, act, order or regulation;
  • act in a detrimental, fraudulent, dishonest, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, calumnious manner or otherwise reprehensible manner;
  • usurp the identity of a natural person or an entity, including but not limited to any Oxilia employee or representative; and
  • compromise the security of a Member’s Account (such as allowing someone else to connect to the Site by impersonating that Member) or attempting in any way whatsoever to obtain the password, account, or other connection information of any other user.

You understand and acknowledge that you bear sole responsibility for compliance with legislation, rules, regulations, or fiscal obligations that may arise from your use of the Site. Any version, update, or other subsequent addition to the Site’s functions shall be subject to these Terms.

 

  1. Postings

 

Members may respond to Postings on the Site based on the criteria and other information mentioned in the Postings. All information published in Postings or sent privately over the Site remains the sole responsibility of the person originating such information, whether it comes directly from the person or from his Account, and Oxilia declines all liability in respect of any error or omission contained in the said content. You acknowledge the fact that all content of the Members to which you have access by using the Site entails risks and that you alone shall be liable for any damage or loss resulting from the said risks. By creating or responding to a Posting, you declare and accept that you are not violating any agreement with a third party, including work exclusivity agreements. Oxilia reserves the right to withdraw or delete any Posting that violates these Terms in any way whatsoever or for any reason deemed valid, at the full discretion of Oxilia.

 

  1. Changes

 

Oxilia reserves the right to amend, suspend or interrupt access to or use of the Site or any portion thereof with or without prior notice. The User accepts that Oxilia declines any liability toward the User or any third party in respect of any amendment, suspension or interruption of the Site or any portion thereof.

 

  1. Service Contract and relationship between Members and Oxilia

 

9.1 Relationship between Members and Oxilia

When a Professional and an Establishment agree on the provision of Professional Services following a Posting, the Establishment and the Professional undertake to conclude diligently and as soon as possible a Service Contract to establish their respective roles and responsibilities in the relationship.

 

 

Unless there is a written agreement to the contrary between a Professional and an Establishment, the terms and conditions of the Service Contract shall be governed by section 14 of these Terms, on the understanding that the Professional and the Establishment may at no time agree on terms and conditions of the Service Contract that would limit Oxilia’s rights or increase its obligations under these Terms. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in these Terms, the Establishment remains responsible at all times for correctly determining whether the Professional is acting as a self-employed worker or as an employee of the Establishment in respect of provision of the Professional Services.  Oxilia will have no input into, or involvement in, worker classification and you agree that Oxilia has no involvement in and will have no liability arising from or relating to the classification of a Professional.

 

You understand and accept that Oxilia is not a party to any Service Contract and consequently bears no liability or obligation in respect of the Service Contract nor for acts or omissions by the Professional and the Establishment that are parties to the Service Contract. Oxilia only makes available to Members a platform or online market enabling them to identify and determine by themselves those Members likely to meet their needs for Professional Services, and to connect and transact directly with each other. At all times, Members are responsible for evaluating and determining the suitability of any Professional Services, any Professional or Establishment on their own. Oxilia does not, in any way, (a) supervise, direct, control or evaluate any Professional or Professional Services; (b) impose quality standards or dictate the performance, methods or process a Professional uses to perform Professional Services; (c) provide Professionals with training or any equipment, labor, tools, or materials related to any Service Contract; (d) have any control over the compensation offered by the Establishment, the work hours, work schedules, or work location.

 

Oxilia makes no representation or warranty in respect of the reliability, qualifications, capacities, and conduct of Members nor of the quality, security, or legality of the Professional Services, or the truth or accuracy of any Posting,and declines all liability in this regard. You acknowledge, agree, and understand that you are solely responsible for (a) verifying any information about another Member before entering into a Service Contract; (b) determining the suitability and competence of Professional for Professional Services; (c) negotiating, agreeing to, and executing any terms or conditions of a Service Contract; (d) as a Professional, performing the Professional Services; (e) as an Establishment, paying for the Professional Services; (f) obtaining any liability, health, workers’ compensation, disability, unemployment, or other insurance needed, desired, or required by law; and (g) as a Professional, obtaining all required work permits, visa, or any other authorization required to work in the province, state or territory in which the Professional Services are requested and are to be performed.

 

Oxilia does not act as a placement or recruiting agency and nothing in these Terms shall be interpreted as creating a partnership, joint venture, employer-employee relationship, or agency relationship between you and Oxilia when you use the Site or enter into a Service Contract. You are not an employee of Oxilia, and you are not eligible for any of the rights or benefits of employment.

 

9.2 Digital signature

 

By clicking to accept a Service Contract on the Site, the Professional and the Establishment are deemed to have executed this Service Contract electronically, effective on the date the Professional clicks to accept a Service Contract.

 

 

  1. Terms of payment

 

10.1 Professional Fees, Service Charges, and Total Charges

 

Pursuant to the terms stipulated herein, the Establishment shall pay the Professional the professional fees established by the Professional for the Professional Services rendered to the Establishment pursuant to a Service Contract (the “Professional Fees”).

In consideration of the services provided by Oxilia, such as the use of the Site for the communication, invoicing, reporting, dispute resolution and payment services, or any other services that may be provided by Oxilia from time to time, Oxilia levies service charges corresponding to an amount between fifteen percent (15%) and twenty percent (20%) of the Professional Fees (the “Service Charges”). These Service Charges are invoiced to the Establishment and paid by it above and beyond the Professional Fees payable to the Professional pursuant to the Service Contract (the Service Charges and Professional Fees are collectively referred to as the “Total Charges”).

 

The rates posted on the Site for provision of Professional Services by a Professional exclude the applicable Service Charges.

 

In addition to the Service Charges, Oxilia reserves the right to charge additional fees to the Establishment in the event that the Establishment has not, at the latest thirty (30) days following the time when Oxilia has made available the contact details of the Professional or Professionals to the Establishment following the publication of a Posting by an Establishment, either (i) concluded a Service Contract with one of these Professionals or (ii) informed Oxilia of its choice not to retain all the Professionals who applied to the Posting. These file management fees (“Management Fees“) are intended to keep the Establishment’s Posting active and to cover the management by Oxilia of the Establishment’s. Management Fees in effect shall be communicated by Oxilia to the Establishment by email or by any other means deemed reasonable by Oxilia.

 

10.2 Fees to hire a Professional

 

Subject to Oxilia’s written approval and subject to compliance with the required number of hours by the Professional as specified on the Site, an Institution may, at any time, permanently hire a Professional on a fixed fee basis. The fee required for a veterinarian is $8,000 CAD (plus applicable taxes) and $4,000 CAD (plus applicable taxes) for an animal health technician. This amount may be modified by Oxilia, in its sole discretion, upon simple notice.

 

The Establishment must be able to demonstrate that the Professional has completed the minimum number of hours specified on the Site before being able to hire him/her and must demonstrate that the fees have been paid.

 

The Establishment acknowledges and agrees that any problems arising during or after the hiring of the Professional will not fall under the responsibility of Oxilia and the Establishment releases Oxilia from any claim related to the hiring of the Professional. The Establishment will be required to sign a release releasing Oxilia from liability related to the hired Professional.

 

 

10.3 Oxilia Packages

 

Oxilia offers several member packages for Users, each of which includes features and benefits as specified on site. The basic package requires no additional monthly fees.

 

All users must pay the member fees related to the package chosen with the payment method chosen, on the date of selection of the package. Fees are payable for a period of 12 months. Packages, features and benefits will be valid until the end of this period or until canceled by the user. Unless canceled, an automatic renewal will be made at the end of the package.

 

Oxilia reserves the right to change, modify, exclude or include any functionality or advantage, price or payment method at any time.

 

 

10.4 Invoicing to the Establishment and payment of the Total Fees and Management Fees

 

Oxilia shall issue to the Establishment on a weekly basis a consolidated invoice including the details of the Professional Fees to be paid to the Professional pursuant to the Service Contract and the Service Charges applicable to the Professional Fees, to be paid to Oxilia. Each invoice is payable by the Establishment within five (5) working days of the issue date.

You must notify Oxilia in writing immediately at info@oxilia.ca of any objection over hours of work declared under a Service Contract or invoiced to an Establishment. In the event of a dispute, the Establishment must deposit with Oxilia the disputed part of the Professional Fees so it can be held in escrow by Oxilia until released pursuant to the Service Contract and these Terms.

 

Upon payment by the Establishment of the Total Charges indicated on an invoice, Oxilia will deduct the Professional Fees, which will be disbursed by Oxilia to the Professional’s account in compliance with these Terms. The Service Charges indicated on the invoice will be retained by Oxilia. The Total Charges are non-refundable, regardless of whether the Establishment indicates that it is satisfied or dissatisfied with the Professional Services rendered.

 

Oxilia will issue to the Establishment a monthly invoice for the payment of the Management Fees, if applicable. Each invoice is payable by the Establishment within thirty (30) business days of its issuance.

 

10.5 Disbursements to the Professional

 

Oxilia will disburse the Professional Fees to the Professional within fourteen (14) working days of receipt of payment of the Professional Fees by the Establishment pursuant to the Service Contract. In the event of fraud, violation of legislation or of these Terms, and to the extent permitted by law, Oxilia reserves the right to suspend any disbursement of Professional Fees.

 

10.6 Terms of payment

 

Each establishment must register a means of payment on its account before signing a contract. Oxilia will process the payment, via the registered payment method, on the date of the invoice. No contract can begin without a registered means of payment. Oxilia will require a security deposit (see article 10.7) upon signing any contract.

Any establishment that does not comply with the pre-authorized debit must pay the service charges and professional fees in advance, either 30, 60 or 90 days in advance. Advance payment of estimated service charges and professional fees will be as follows:

a) The establishment can choose to pay 30, 60 or 90 days in advance or in full, depending on preference.

b) Each invoice will be issued 14 days in advance and will be payable within 14 days maximum. (Ex. The invoice for the month of December 2022 will be sent on November 16, 2022, to be paid before November 30).

c) The estimated total hours billed will be based on the number of monthly hours provided for in the initial service contract.

d) At the end of each monthly period (30 days), Oxilia will send a report detailing the actual hours billed and the hours paid in credit in advance. The difference will be adjusted on the next monthly invoice.

Payment of sums due hereunder may be made by pre-authorized debit, or by any other means that may be offered by Oxilia from time to time. Oxilia does not offer payment by check, however, if the Establishment cannot provide another method of payment, checks may be used provided that a security deposit equivalent to 50% of the estimated fees and costs of the contract be made before the start of the contract. When the User selects a payment method to add to his Account, he will have to provide the usual billing information necessary to process the payment.

The User understands and accepts that all transactions related to payment of Professional Services shall be conducted on the Site. The User also accepts and authorizes Oxilia to turn to the services of a third-party provider to process payments, and consents to disclosure of his banking information to the said third-party provider. The User is responsible for keeping his contact information, invoicing information and information about his credit card up to date, as applicable. The User may change this information in his Account at any time.

 

10.7 Non-payment

 

Without prejudice to any other remedy that may be available to Oxilia under these Terms or the law, in the event of default or delay by the Establishment in payment of any amount due under these Terms, including any default resulting from inability of Oxilia or its third-party provider to automatically process payment from the Establishment in compliance with these Terms, Oxilia reserves the right to automatically and immediately suspend the Establishment’s access to the Site and Account until payment is made or processed by the Establishment, and Oxilia declines any liability for any damages that may result from such suspension of the Establishment’s access to the Site or Account. Oxilia also reserves the right to pay all Professional Fees due to the Professional in compliance with the Service Contract from amounts deposited by the Establishment pursuant to section 10.6 of these Terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you understand and accept that the Establishment bears sole responsibility for payment of Professional Fees under a Service Contract and that Oxilia declines any liability in this regard. Oxilia will not act at any time as a recovery agency in respect of all Professional Fees on behalf of the Professional. Any amount due and payable hereunder shall bear interest at the rate of two percent (2%) a month. Without limiting any other remedy provided by law, the Establishment shall pay all costs incurred by Oxilia to recover the Service Charges, including legal fees.

 

10.8 Security Deposit

 

At the conclusion of the Service Contract, Oxilia will require from the Establishment a reasonable security deposit, equivalent to the first 30 days of the contract, (the “Security Deposit“) to ensure the payment of the Professional Fees of a Professional retained by the Establishment. Any such Security Deposit may be used by Oxilia to pay the Professional Fees at any time in the event of late payment by the Establishment or in the event of a dispute. The unused portion of the Security Deposit will be credited on the last invoice sent by Oxilia to the Establishment with respect to the Service Contract executed between the Establishment and such Professional.

 

10.9 Invoicing, Taxes and Withholdings

 

You understand and agree that you alone must know the tax reporting requirements applicable to you and the Taxes and withholdings that must be included and collected, and the obligations linked to the Taxes and withholdings applicable to Postings. You also bear sole responsibility for (a) issuing appropriate invoices for the Professional Services rendered; (b) payment to the competent authorities of all Tax or withholdings that must be included or collected by you;  (c) determining the applicable laws for Taxes or withholdings applicable to the Service Contract or the Professional Services; and d) producing any tax statements regarding each Professional to the right authorities.

 

If Oxilia is audited, you must cooperate with Oxilia and provide copies of any tax statement related to the Professional Services rendered or obtained by the Site and any other document that may reasonably be requested for audit purposes.

 

You understand and agree that you alone are responsible (a) to obtain any liability, health, workers’ compensation, disability, unemployment, or other insurance needed, desired, or required by law, for which the Professional is not otherwise covered by or eligible to ; (b) for determining whether the Professional is required by applicable law to issue any particular invoices for the Professional Fees and for issuing any invoices so required; and (c) for determining whether Professional is required by applicable law to remit to the appropriate authorities any value added tax or any other taxes or similar charges applicable to the Professional Fees and remitting any such taxes or charges to the appropriate authorities, as appropriate.

 

Preparation of any tax statement by Oxilia for your use is subject to fees.

 

  1. Cancellation or Termination of the Service Contract before the beginning of the Service Contract

 

The Professional or the Establishment can terminate the Service Contract without cause and penalty, upon written notice to the other party and Oxilia:

 

  • At least thirty (30) day prior to the beginning of the Term (as defined in section 2) of the Service Contract, if the period of time for which the Professional Service are required is less than twelve (12) months;

 

  • At least sixty (60) day prior to the beginning of the Service Contract, if the period of time for which the Professional Service are required is greater than or equal to twelve (12) months;

 

If the written notice is less than the delay of thirty (30) or sixty (60) day, depending on the case, Oxilia reserves the right to impose a penalty to the defaulting party of this obligation, in particular to cover the Service Charges that would have been due had it not been for the termination, and to compensate any inconvenience that may have been caused to Oxilia because of the cancelation. It is understood that, at any time after the beginning of the Term of the Service Contract, the Establishment or the Professional may terminate the Service Contract following section 14.6 hereunder.

 

  1. Changes to the hours set out in Service Contract

 

The Establishment must give Oxilia prior written notice of any changes to the hours set out in the Service Contract.

 

If the change period exceeds 20% of the total number of hours for which Professional Services are required under a particular Service Contract, then the Service Contract will be deemed to have been cancelled. The Cancellation Policy for Oxilia will then apply and penalties may be imposed on the parties.

 

  1. Non-circumvention of the Site

 

You understand and accept that a substantial portion of the income received by Oxilia in consideration of operation of the Site originates from payment of Service Charges and that these Service Charges are collected only when Members make or receive a payment on the Site. Thus, you accept that during a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date on which you identify a Member or are identified as a Member on the Site (the “Non-circumvention period”), you must use the Site as the sole means for requesting, performing or receiving Professional Services or all payments for Professional Services rendered directly or indirectly in respect of this Member or resulting from your relationship with this Member.

 

For greater certainty and without limiting the scope of the foregoing, you understand and accept that you shall not:

 

(a) In the event that a Service Contract is concluded with a Member identified through the use of the Site, for the period of each Service Contract and twelve (12) months following the expiration or termination of the Service Contract, (i) encourage, solicit or incite, directly or indirectly, a Member identified through the Site to provide Professional Services or make a partial or full payment for Professional Services in circumvention of the Site; and (ii) invoice amounts or report hours of work less than the amounts stated in the Service Contract and the hours actually worked for the benefit of the Establishment; and

 

(b) In the event that no Service Contract was concluded through the use of the Site, for a period of twenty-four (24) months starting from the date on which you identify a Member or are identified as a Member on the Site, encourage, solicit or incite, directly or indirectly, a Member identified through the Site to provide Professional Services or make a partial or full payment for Professional Services in circumvention of the Site,

 

(the periods established under (a) and (b) collectively referred to as the “Non-circumvention periods”)

 

For greater certainty, as defined in section 1.2, the term “Establishment” includes all affiliates and related entities, which must all respect the restrictions from the present section 13.

 

In the event of breach of this section during the Non-circumvention periods and without prejudice to any other remedy available to it under these Terms or the law, Oxilia reserves the right to claim from you in respect of each transaction for Professional Services covered by this section the greater of: (i) ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or (ii) the amount of the Service Charges that would have been paid for these Professional Services had the payments been made through the Site, plus eighteen percent (18%).

 

You must notify Oxilia in writing immediately at info@oxilia.ca if a person incites you to receive or make payments in circumvention of the Site or if you learn of any other violation of this section.

 

  1. Terms of the Service Contract

 

In addition to any other terms that may be agreed to from time to time by the Professional and the Establishment, without Oxilia’s intervention, the Service Contract shall contain at least the terms and conditions stipulated in this section. The Professional and an Establishment understand and accept that they may not at any time agree to terms and conditions for the Service Contract that would limit the rights or increase the obligations of Oxilia under these Terms, including but not limited to the Service Charges payable to Oxilia. You understand and accept that Oxilia may at any time adopt a policy in respect of the terms for cancellation of a Service Contract that will then form an integral part of these Terms.

 

14.1 Professional Services

 

In consideration of the Professional Fees, the Professional shall provide the Establishment with the Professional Services on a non-exclusive basis and in a professional manner, consistent with accepted practices and in compliance with the applicable legislation. The Professional bears sole responsibility for managing the time, means and methods used to provide the Professional Services.

The Professional covenants to obtain and maintain valid for the Term hereof all permits, licences and other authorizations required for provision of the Professional Services.

14.2 Term

 

This Service Contract shall remain in force for the term indicated in the Posting and may be extended by consent of the Professional and the Establishment on the Site (the “Term”).

 

14.3 Hours worked

 

The Professional is responsible for logging the hours worked for the benefit of the Establishment at the end of each work week, and these must be validated by the Establishment.

14.4 Dispute

 

In the event of a dispute over hours of work declared or any payment of Professional Fees under the terms of this Service Contract, the Establishment shall pay to the Professional the undisputed portion of the Professional Fees. The Professional and the Establishment agree that the disputed portion of the Professional Fees shall be deposited by the Establishment with Oxilia in escrow. Oxilia shall release the sums in escrow following settlement of the dispute upon presentation of a written settlement agreement between the Professional and the Establishment or of a valid and enforceable ruling by a competent court with jurisdiction to settle the dispute.

 

The Professional and the Establishment agree that in the event of a dispute between them relating directly or indirectly to the Professional Fees or the application or the interpretation of the Service Contract (the “Dispute”), they must notify Oxilia and the other party within five (5) days of the event giving rise to the Dispute and try to attempt to resolve the Dispute amicably. The Professional and the Establishment acknowledge that Oxilia may, in its sole discretion, assist in the amicable settlement process of the Dispute, being understood that the Professional and the Establishment: (i) will remain free at all times to pursue their dispute independently; (ii) acknowledge that Oxilia shall not be obliged to give them any assistance in the settlement of the Disputes; and (iii) acknowledge that Oxilia will have no responsibility regarding any settlement of the Dispute that may be agreed between the Professional and the Establishment;

 

Notwithstanding the above, the Professional and the Establishment commit to abide to any dispute resolution procedure that may be adopted by Oxilia from time to time and communicated to the Parties prior to the performance of the Services Contract and then forming an integral part of theTerms hereof.

 

14.5 Confidentiality

 

The Professional shall maintain and preserve the confidentiality of any financial information or other document or information of a confidential nature, whether or not in written, visual or electronic form, obtained or made accessible as part of the Service Contract, specifically but not limited to information, procedures, projects, developments, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, software, client lists, marketing plans, proposals, contracts, financial information, and any other information provided or disclosed by the Establishment. The Professional shall remain subject to the obligations of confidentiality notwithstanding termination or cancellation of the Service Contract.

 

14.6 Cancellation

 

The Professional or the Establishment has the right to terminate this contract at any time after the beginning of the Service Contract according to the cancellation policy of Oxilia. Notwithstanding the above, the Establishment may terminate the Service Contract without penalty and with immediate effect, upon the following  events:  a) the Professional is in default of any obligation under the Service Contract and does not remedy to this default to the satisfaction of the Establishment and without additional costs, within the five (5) days following the sending of a notice to this effect to the Professional, in cases where it is possible to remedy such default; or b) upon submission of written advance notice to the Professional if the Professional commits a serious act or omission in respect of his ethics or professional or regulatory obligations; or c) upon death of the Professional or if he became unable to perform his duties under the Service due to an invalidity. The Establishment remains liable at all times for payment of all Professional Fees related to Professional Services rendered prior to the date of cancellation of the Service Contract.

 

14.7 Status of the Professional

 

The Establishment remains responsible at all times for correctly determining whether the Professional is acting as a self-employed worker or an employee as part of provision of the Professional Services.

 

14.8 Applicable legislation

 

This Service Contract is governed by the laws in force in the province where the Professional Services are rendered and by the applicable laws of Canada.

 

  1. Audits

 

The Professional and the Establishment shall (i) create, maintain and preserve records to document the performance of their obligations under these Terms as well as any Service Contract entered into, including invoicing and payment of the Professional Fees and Taxes related to the Professional Services and compliance with tax and labour legislation; and (ii) provide a copy of these records to Oxilia, in whole or in part, on written request. Nothing in this section requires or shall be interpreted as requiring Oxilia to supervise or validate compliance with the User’s obligations under these Terms or a Service Contract.

  1. Property and intellectual property

 

The User acknowledges that all intellectual property rights, at the global level, including but not limited to all copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights related to the Site are the exclusive property of Oxilia or its subsidiaries. The holding, access and use made by the User of the Site do not vest the User or any third party with any right, property right or interest related to the said intellectual property rights. The User may not use the content of the Site in any other way that is public or for commercial purposes, and also may not copy or incorporate any content of the Site into any other project, including the User’s own website, without the written consent of Oxilia. The User shall not copy, modify or reproduce or damage in any other way the structure or appearance of the Site or its content.

 

  1. Confidentiality

 

To the extent that the User and another Member exchange or obtain knowledge of confidential information about the other, including information about his identity, the recipient of the confidential information covenants to maintain the confidentiality of the said information and to treat it in the same manner as that which it uses to protect its own confidential information of a similar nature, acting reasonably. The recipient covenants not to (i) communicate, convey, exploit or otherwise use, on its own account or for others, information contained in or concerning this agreement, without the other party’s consent; (ii) use or permit the use of confidential information, except what is necessary for provision of the Professional Services and entering into a Service Contract pursuant to the provisions herein, and to (iii) limit access to confidential information to its staff who require the said information to provide the Professional Services and enter into a Service Contract pursuant to the provisions of these Terms.

  1. Limited warranty

 

THE SITE IS OFFERED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” OXILIA AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES EXPRESSLY DECLINE ANY WARRANTY AND STIPULATION OF ANY NATURE, WHETHER EXPLICIT OR TACIT, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OR STIPULATIONS OF MARKETABLE QUALITY OR COMPLIANCE WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS, ACCURACY, AND LACK OF COUNTERFEIT. OXILIA AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES MAKE NO GUARANTEE WHATSOEVER THAT THE SITE AND THE INFORMATION APPEARING THEREON WILL: (I) MEET MEMBER REQUIREMENTS; (II) BE AVAILABLE ON AN UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE BASIS FREE OF ALL ERRORS; OR (III) BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, SPOKEN OR WRITTEN, PROVIDED TO MEMBERS BY OXILIA OR THROUGH THE SITE SHALL CONSTITUTE A WARRANTY. OXILIA ALSO MAKES NO WARRANTY IN RESPECT OF THE QUALITY OF ANY POSTING, OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OR MEMBERS, OR OF THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, VERACITY, COMPLETENESS OR RELIABLILTY OF ANY CONTENT OBTAINED ON THE SITE.

 

  1. Limited liability

 

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, AND IN THE FULL MEASURE PERMITTED BY THE APPLICABLE LAW, OXILIA, ITS SHAREHOLDERS, AFFILIATES, SUBCONTRACTORS, SUPPLIERS AND AGENTS AS WELL AS THEIR RESPECTIVE ADMINISTRATORS, DIRECTORS, AND EMPLOYEES (COLLECTIVELY THE “OXILIA PARTIES”) SHALL NOT BE HELD LIABLE TO A MEMBER OR THIRD PARTY IN RESPECT OF ANY SPECIFIC, CONSECUTIVE, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, ACCESSORY, OR INDIRECT DAMAGE, OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL OR FINANCIAL LOSS OF ANY TYPE OR ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM SUSPENSION OR DELETION OF AN ACCOUNT PURSUANT TO THESE TERMS AND IN RESPECT OF LOST PROFITS OR INCOME, COSTS LINKED TO DELAY, LOST TIME, OR COSTS INCURRED BY INCONVENIENCES, OR COSTS LINKED TO PRODUCT SUBSTITUTION), EVEN IF THE SAID DAMAGES ARE FORESEEABLE OR IF THE OXILIA PARTIES WERE WARNED OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT SUCH DAMAGES MIGHT OCCUR. THE TOTAL LIABILITY AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE OXILIA PARTIES FOR ALL CLAIMS RESULTING FROM OR LINKED TO THIS CONTRACT IN RESPECT OF ANY EXPENSE, DAMAGE, LOSS, INJURY, OR RESPONSIBILITY OF ANY TYPE, REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSE FOR ACTION, THE FORM OF THE PROCEDURE, OR THE THEORY OF LIABILITY (INCLUDING FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, PURSUANT TO THE LAW, OR OTHERWISE) IS LIMITED TO THE DIRECT, REAL DAMAGES SUFFERED AND SHALL NOT EXCEED THE SERVICE CHARGES PAID BY A MEMBER TO OXILIA PURSUANT TO THESE TERMS, OVER THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEEDING THE EVENT THAT INCURRED THE OXILIA PARTIES’ LIABILITY. All non-liability clauses as well as the limits established herein shall apply regardless of the nature of any grounds or any claim (including but not limited to breach of contract, breach of warranty, negligence, absolute liability, tort, or any other grounds), and shall remain in force in the event of breach(es) or failure to attain the essential objective of these Terms, or of any remedy contained herein.

 

  1. Indemnification

 

The User covenants to defend, indemnify and save harmless Oxilia and its affiliates and suppliers in respect of any liability for any damage, obligation, claim, or any request (specifically costs and fees of legal counsel) made or submitted by any third party or any Member due to or resulting from: (i) use made by the User of the Site; (ii) breach of these Terms or of a Service Contract committed by the User, or (iii) any violation of any law or of the rights of any third party committed by the User (including remedies under labour law). Oxilia reserves the right, at the User’s expense, to ensure the exclusive defence and control of any matter for which the User shall be required to indemnify Oxilia, and the User covenants not to enter into an agreement in respect of any claim whatsoever without first obtaining the written consent of Oxilia. Oxilia shall make all reasonable efforts to notify the User in advance of any claim, action or proceeding of this nature that may directly affect the User as soon as it obtains knowledge thereof.

 

  1. Term and cancellation of the Terms

These Terms shall remain in full force and effect as long as the User continues to access and use the Site, or until cancellation of these Terms pursuant to this section.

Each Party may cancel this Contract at any time, for or without cause, by sending written notice to this effect to the other Party (or by deleting or suspending the Account), on the understanding that any cancellation of this Contract shall not affect the validity of any Service Contract performed or in the course of performance prior to cancellation of this Contract and that the Establishment shall pay to Oxilia the Total Charges for the said Service Contracts.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Oxilia may at any time cancel these Terms and suspend or revoke access and use of the Site at its full discretion, including but not limited to, when Oxilia deems that the User has used the Site in a manner that breaches these Terms, including any directive, method or rule incorporated therein.

  1. Survival

 

In the event of expiry or cancellation of these Terms, the clauses that reasonably should survive cancellation of these Terms shall remain in force, specifically sections 10 (Terms of Payment), 13 (Non-circumvention of the Site), 17(Confidentiality), 18 (Limited warranty), 19 (Limited liability), and 20 (Indemnification).

  1. Electronic communications

 

The User communicates electronically with Oxilia when the User uses or sends emails to Oxilia. The User agrees that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications that Oxilia sends to the User electronically discharge the same legal obligations as if the said communications were in writing. You agree that Oxilia may use the email address for your Account to send the User information about the products and services offered by Oxilia unless the User opts out of Oxilia’s distribution list using the link included in emails sent by Oxilia.

  1. Notifications

 

Oxilia may send notifications to the User as required by law or for commercial or other purposes via (at its choice) emails sent to the main email address linked to the User’s Account, or conventional mail sent to the User, or by posting the said notice on the Site. Oxilia shall not be liable for automatic filtering that the User or its network provider may have applied to the User’s email inbox.

  1. Amendments made to these Terms

 

Oxilia reserves the right to amend these Terms. At its sole discretion, Oxilia shall provide notification of these said amendments made to these Terms on its Site or shall email notification to Members. Such notice of amendment shall be deemed to constitute sufficient notice of amendments made to these Terms. The User must ensure that he has read and accepted Oxilia’s most recent Terms when he uses the Site. If a User continues to use the Site after having been notified of the said amendments, this shall be deemed acceptance by the User as well as expression of his consent to be bound by the revised Terms.

  1. Entire agreement

 

This Contract constitutes the entire agreement made by the Parties in respect of the purpose of these Terms and replaces all other agreements, proposals, promises, incentives, statements, warranties, arrangements, purchase or sale orders, negotiations, and discussions, spoken or written, between the Parties. Subject to section 24 hereof, any modification, amendment, addition, or other change made to this Contract must be made in writing and signed by the Parties’ duly authorized representatives. As used herein, the term “Contract” shall include all subsequent modifications, amendments, additions, or other changes hereto. This Contract binds and benefits the Parties’ respective successors, heirs, and assigns.

  1. Force majeure

 

Oxilia declines any liability for any delay or non-performance resulting directly or indirectly from actions or events beyond Oxilia’s control, including but not limited to strikes or labour or industrial disruptions, civil strife, actions, orders, laws, regulations, or directives issued by any government or public authority, acts by public enemies, riots, sabotage, blockades, embargos, shortages of labour, material and suppliers, supplier delays or dereliction of obligations, lightning, earthquakes, fires, storms, hurricanes, floods, disasters, explosions, and natural disasters.

  1. Divisibility

 

If, for any reason whatsoever, a provision, obligation, or condition of this Contract, or its application to any person or under any circumstance is ruled, to any extent whatsoever, invalid, unenforceable, or illegal, that provision, obligation, or condition shall be deemed independent, disjoint, and divisible from the remainder of the Contract and its invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect, diminish, or invalidate the remainder of the Contract or any part thereof. This provision, obligation or condition shall continue to apply and be enforceable in respect of any person or circumstance, other than those for which it has been ruled invalid, unenforceable, or illegal. Any such invalidity, unenforceability, or illegality shall not constitute grounds for a lawsuit in favour of either Party hereto against the other Party hereto.

  1. Waiver

 

No delay or omission by a Party in the exercise of any right or power vested in it under this Contract or in citing breach of any commitment that the other Party must meet in full and at the agreed time shall compromise the said right or power, nor shall be interpreted as a waiver of citation of a subsequent breach or any other commitment. All waivers must be made in writing and signed by the Party waiving its rights.

  1. Assignment

 

Neither this Contract nor any right granted herein may be assigned by the User without the prior written consent of Oxilia. Oxilia may assign this Contract at any time without the User’s consent.

  1. Applicable law

 

This Contract is governed, interpreted, and applied pursuant to the laws of the Province of Québec, Canada, regardless of the principles governing conflicting legislation. Any dispute arising from this Contract, due to its interpretation or execution, or for any other reason, shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Québec, judicial district of Montréal, and each Party to these Terms hereby irrevocably acknowledges the authority of the courts of the Province of Québec, Canada. The Parties expressly exclude application of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods to this Contract.