Tutors Agreement Policy

Tutor and Counselor Independent Contractor Agreement

Updated: August 11, 2025

This Agreement outlines the terms of your engagement as a self-employed independent contractor with Corestone Education Ltd. (“Corestone,” “we,” or “us”). Corestone Education is a business registered in Nova Scotia, Canada (#4737934) that connects clients with tutors and counselors. This Agreement is governed by the laws of Nova Scotia and the applicable laws of Canada.

Key Definitions

You: The independent contractor providing services (tutor or counselor).
Client: The person or entity purchasing your services.
Services: The educational or counseling activities arranged by Corestone.
Session: A single, scheduled period of service delivery.

1. Your Engagement and Responsibilities

This Agreement establishes that you are an independent contractor, not an employee of Corestone. You are responsible for all aspects of your business, including your own tools, methods, and scheduling, subject to the terms herein. This Agreement will remain in effect until terminated by either party.

Your duties as an independent contractor include:

Providing services professionally and punctually at agreed-upon times.
Promptly notifying clients of any lateness or the need to reschedule a session.
Maintaining a professional demeanor and appearance during all sessions.
Utilizing the Corestone Google Classroom platform for all lessons and communications, without exception.
Submitting accurate invoices to Corestone to validate your sessions for payment.
Obtaining prior written approval from Corestone for any work done outside of scheduled sessions.
Providing evidence of your qualifications and a valid Criminal Record Check (or other relevant security clearance) when requested, based on client or project needs, in compliance with Canadian laws.
Upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, which includes refraining from plagiarism or improper involvement in a client’s work.
Complying with all applicable laws and regulations in Canada and Nova Scotia.

2. Payments and Expenses

Payment Terms: Your standard hourly rate is set at $55 USD for tutors and $65 USD for counselors, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. Corestone will retain the full payment for your first lesson. Beginning with the second lesson, Corestone will retain 15% of the payment for each lesson. Payments from clients will be made directly to Corestone, and you must not accept direct payments or negotiate fees independently. We will issue payments to you on a monthly basis, by the 15th of each month, for all work completed in the previous month.
Independent Contractor Status: As an independent contractor, you are solely responsible for all of your own taxes (including GST/HST, if applicable), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions, Employment Insurance (EI) premiums (if you choose to opt in), and any other statutory obligations. You are not entitled to employee benefits such as vacation pay, sick pay, or severance pay from Corestone. You agree to indemnify Corestone against any tax, employment, or other disputes related to your services as an independent contractor.
Expenses: We will only reimburse pre-approved expenses upon receiving a written request and supporting documentation.

3. Corestone's Role and Cancellations

Corestone is a facilitator. We provide the platform, promote your services, and manage the administrative aspects. We will facilitate introductions and share necessary contact information while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

Both you and the client are responsible for promptly notifying each other of any changes or cancellations and for arranging alternative times.

4. Non-Solicitation

To protect our legitimate business interests, you agree that you will not solicit clients you meet through Corestone for private arrangements during the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year after its termination. This restriction is limited to clients who were introduced to you by Corestone. A breach of this obligation may result in the termination of this Agreement and may lead to legal action. This clause is intended to be a non-solicitation clause and not a broader non-competition clause that would be considered an unreasonable restraint of trade under Canadian law.

5. Termination and Liability

Either party may terminate this Agreement immediately for any material breach of these terms that is not remedied within a reasonable period. Corestone is not liable for any damages arising from your actions or from events beyond our control. You agree to indemnify Corestone against any losses resulting from your breach of these terms.

6. General Provisions

Intellectual Property and Confidentiality: All intellectual property developed in the course of providing your services to Corestone’s clients belongs to Corestone unless otherwise stated. You agree to keep all confidential information private for a period of three (3) years following the termination of this Agreement.
Force Majeure: Your obligations are temporarily suspended during events beyond your control, provided you give prompt notification and make reasonable efforts to mitigate the impact.
Disputes: Any disputes will be handled according to our internal policies, which include a process for resolution and, if necessary, mediation.
Notices and Privacy: All formal notices must be in writing and sent to contact@corestone.education. We handle all personal information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), as well as Nova Scotia’s privacy laws. Please refer to our separate Privacy Policy for details on how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.