Banana Pepper Services
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT
This Independent Contractor Agreement ("Agreement") is made effective as of today (the date it is signed) by and between Banana Pepper Services, and its subsidiaries, representatives, affiliates, officers, and directors (collectively, "Banana Pepper Services” “we”, “us,” or “our”), and _________________, an individual ("Contractor" or “you,” or “your”), (collectively referred to as the "Parties").
IMPORTANT: YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AT THE OUTSET THAT, FOR THE PURPOSES OF CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT, YOU AGREE TO ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. PAY ATTENTION TO SECTION 8, WHICH SETS FORTH THAT YOU AND BANANA PEPPER SERVICES MUTUALLY AGREE TO ARBITRATE ANY DISPUTES OR CLAIMS THAT MIGHT ARISE BETWEEN YOU. SECTION 8 REQUIRES THAT, EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW OR UNLESS YOU OPT-OUT OF THE ARBITRATION PROVISION (AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 8.8), THE PARTIES WILL RESOLVE DISPUTES OR CLAIMS ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS IN AN ARBITRATION PROCEEDING.
1 THE BANANA PEPPER SERVICES PLATFORM
1.1 Banana Pepper Services is a company that provides an innovative online platform that enables consumers and businesses to get food, groceries and other goods delivered at their place of choice (the “Banana Pepper Services Platform”).
1.2 You are an independent provider of personal shopping and/or delivery services. As the Banana Pepper Services platform is not available to children (persons under the age of 18), you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old and that you have the right, authority, and capacity to enter into and abide by the terms of this Agreement. You are in lawful possession of all equipment, insurance, and licenses necessary to perform the shopping and/or delivery services contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with all applicable laws. You desire to enter into this Agreement for the purpose of using the Banana Pepper Services Platform to obtain opportunities to perform personal shopping and delivery services on behalf of consumers and businesses.
2 SERVICES OF THE CONTRACTOR
2.1 From time to time, Banana Pepper Services may notify you of an opportunity to perform personal shopping and/or delivery services through the Banana Pepper Services Platform on behalf of consumers (an "Opportunity"). If you accept an Opportunity, you agree to use the Banana Pepper Services Platform to retrieve the requested retail items from the local store shortlisted by Banana Pepper Services and deliver them in a safe and timely manner (the “Services”).
2.2 You acknowledge that, as a prerequisite to performing the Services, you will need to consent to background checks, and continued access to the Banana Pepper Services Platform is contingent upon passing the background checks and otherwise complying with the terms of this Agreement (and any documents incorporated by reference). After receiving access to the Banana Pepper Services Platform, Banana Pepper Services may conduct additional background checks on you, in compliance with applicable law, through its background check provider. Banana Pepper Services will issue you a username and password so that you can access the Banana Pepper Services Platform to provide the Services. You agree that only you will use the username and password, as you are the sole authorized user.
2.3 You agree to successfully complete all the orders assigned to you by Banana Pepper Services.
2.4 You agree that upon signing this contract you will not work for any competitors of Banana Pepper Services until the contract has ended.
2.5 If Banana Pepper Services desires to engage you for any purposes other than or in addition to the Services, and if you agree to such an additional engagement, you and Banana Pepper Services shall agree upon the specific terms and conditions. However, such terms and conditions shall govern that additional engagement only and shall not modify the terms and conditions governing the Services as set forth in this Agreement. Any disputes or claims related to the provision of such additional engagement shall be governed by the Arbitration Provision (including the opt-out option) in Section 8 of this Agreement.
3 RATES
3.1 Banana Pepper Services agrees to pay you for the Services within 15 days of performance once you have submitted all the grocery transaction receipts in person or by email with the order number written on receipts. Banana Pepper Services reserves the right to change the rates schedule at any time, and Banana Pepper Services will provide you with notice of the changes in advance.
3.2 For an Opportunity that involves both personal shopping and delivery, you will be provided a payment for each delivery, and any applicable bonus based on performance. Available payment rates are posted in section 3.6.
3.3 For a An Opportunity that involves delivery only, you will be provided a payment for each delivery. Available payment rates are as agreed by you and Banana Pepper Services in section 3.6.
3.4 As a condition of receiving any payment, you agree to provide Banana Pepper Services with your Social Insurance Number and the requisite authorization for required background checks. You shall be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred or necessary in the performance of the Services, including but not limited to phone, parking, vehicle, insurance, and travel expenses.
3.5 Banana Pepper Services shall pay to you any applicable goods and services tax, harmonized sales tax, value added tax, and other similar taxes (collectively “GST/HST”), in addition to the payments hereunder provided that you are validly registered for GST/HST purposes. If you are registered for GST/HST purposes under Part IX of the Excise Tax Act (Canada), or similar provincial tax legislation, or if you become so registered at any time during the term of this Agreement, you shall provide Banana Pepper Services with your GST/HST registration number(s) on the Banana Pepper Services Platform. Banana Pepper Services shall take reasonable steps to validate the GST/HST number(s) that you provide, and may not make payments of GST/HST to you until it is satisfied that the GST/HST number(s) you have provided is/are valid at the relevant time. If Banana Pepper Services withholds any payments of GST/HST to you during this validation process, such GST/HST will be released to you for remittance to the government once Banana Pepper Services is satisfied that your GST/HST registration is/are valid at that time. Banana Pepper Services is not responsible for any GST/HST, penalties, interest or other amounts that may be assessed against you as a result of your failure to provide a valid GST/HST number to Banana Pepper Services.
3.6 Payment Rates
Banana Pepper Services delivery payment is calculated for each order, and the payment depends on factors such as base pay, pay per mile, busy hours pay, order value, urgency to deliver the order, time taken to deliver, and time of the day. Based on these factors you may earn up to $15 per order. Furthermore, you will be paid 100% of the tip amount given by the customer.
To optimize your pay even further and decrease customer delivery time, Banana Pepper Services allows you to pick up, and deliver up to three orders in a single ride to the grocery store.
In addition to this, Banana Pepper Services reviews your performance based on factors such as delivery under 30 mins, numbers of orders delivered, customer reviews, customer happiness meter and others to calculate bonuses. You’ll be paid weekly or biweekly, depending on the number of orders received.
4 TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
4.1 You may terminate this Agreement at any time upon written (including email) notice to Banana Pepper Services. Banana Pepper Services reserves the right to immediately terminate this Agreement, upon written (including email) notice to you anytime. Banana Pepper Services also reserves the right to immediately terminate this Agreement in the event you engage in a material breach of the terms of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any act that violates Banana Pepper Services’s contractor guidelines, which are hereby incorporated by reference, such as when you:
A. Cause a safety issue;
B. Violate applicable local, provincial, or federal laws or applicable
guidance;
C. Fail to meet acceptable standards of service;
D. Repeatedly fail to deliver on time or repeatedly fail to deliver
complete orders;
E. Fail your background checks;
F. Invade customer privacy;
G. Engage in or encourage fraudulent conduct such as buying groceries
for yourself or someone else other than the customer who placed the
order;
H. Invalidate this Agreement through an improper signature;
I. Accumulate multiple complaints or poor satisfaction from customers against
you;
J. Unable to provide valid documents including but not limited to drivers
license and SIN number;
K. Failed to maintain good driving record as required by local laws and
whenever checked by Banana Pepper Services;
L. Attempt to misrepresent any company policy or information; or
M. Failure to deliver orders.
4.2 Banana Pepper Services reserves the right to modify the terms of this contract anytime. Any such modifications shall be effective immediately upon sending a notification through email or through the Banana Pepper Services website or through the Banana Pepper Services App. Your continued use of the Banana Pepper Services Platform or performance of Services after any such changes are posted shall constitute your consent to such modifications.
4.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Banana Pepper Services may stop providing access to the Banana Pepper Services Platform, services, or features to you or to users of the Banana Pepper Services Platform generally when Banana Pepper Services determines, in its reasonable and good faith business judgment, it is necessary to do so to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the Banana Pepper Services platform. Additionally, the Parties agree that the contract terminates with no written notice required if either: you do not provide any Services under the Agreement within 45 consecutive days of executing it; or, after you have started to perform Services, you do not provide Services for 75 consecutive days. You understand that upon termination of the Agreement, there is no guarantee of a presentation of a new contract.
5 RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES
5.1 You enter into this Agreement as an independent contractor with a business relationship between you and Banana Pepper Services. It is understood that in agreeing to provide Services under this Agreement, the Contractor shall be acting and shall act at all times as an independent contractor, and not as an employee of Banana Pepper Services for any purpose whatsoever, including without limitation, for purposes relating to taxes, payments required by statute, or any other withholdings or remittances to any governmental agency or authority. Under no circumstances shall you look to Banana Pepper Services as your employer, partner, joint venturer, agent, or principal, nor shall this Agreement be construed to establish any such relationship.
YOU SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ACCORDED TO BANANA PEPPER SERVICES’S EMPLOYEES. HOWEVER, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR PERFORMANCE BASED BONUES. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS AGREEMENT “EMPLOYEE BENEFITS” MEANS, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, PENSION, PROFIT SHARING, SAVINGS, RETIREMENT, DEFERRED COMPENSATION, STOCK OPTION, PHANTOM STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK, OR STOCK PURCHASE, INSURANCE, HEALTH, DENTAL, DISABILITY, EMPLOYEE WELFARE BENEFIT, SICK PAY, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COVERAGE, BONUS, VACATION PAY, SEVERANCE PAY AND OTHER SIMILAR PLANS, PROGRAMS AND AGREEMENTS, WHETHER OR NOT REDUCED TO WRITING.
You further acknowledge that this Agreement does not create any employer-employee relationship between a third party retailer and yourself, and that you are not entitled to any benefits, including but not limited to Workers’ Compensation coverage, afforded to any employees of a third party retailer.
5.2 Banana Pepper Services is interested only in the results to be achieved by you as agreed upon under this Agreement. You shall be responsible for performing all Services under this Agreement, and achieving the desired results, in a lawful and safe manner.
5.3 ON A CONTINUING BASIS, YOU SHALL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY LAW:
A. SECURING AND PAYING FOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE;
B. SECURING AND PAYING DISABILITY INSURANCE, HEALTH INSURANCE, AND/OR OTHER SIMILAR INSURANCE;
C. SECURING AND PAYING EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE OR OTHER SIMILAR INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS, INCLUDING CANADA PENSION PLAN;
D. SECURING AND PAYING ALL NECESSARY LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR YOU AND ANY PERSONNEL;
E. SECURING AND PAYING FOR AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE IN COVERAGE AMOUNTS CONSISTENT WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING ANY REQUIRED NO FAULT AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE OR COMMERCIAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE; AND
F. THE PAYMENT AND REMITTANCE OF ALL PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL TAXES AND RELATED AMOUNTS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, GOODS AND SERVICES TAXES, HARMONIZED SALES TAXES, INCOME TAXES, SOURCE DEDUCTION PAYMENTS, NON-RESIDENT WITHHOLDING TAXES AND CONTRIBUTIONS.
YOU UNDERSTAND THAT BANANA PEPPER SERVICES DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY INSURANCE LISTED ABOVE.YOU FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT ITEMS LISTED IN THIS SECTION (FOR EXAMPLE, COMMERCIAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE) MAY BE REQUIRED IN YOUR JURISDICTION, AND YOU AGREE THAT IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE IF ANY OF THE ABOVE IS REQUIRED. YOU AGREE TO ABIDE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, STATUTES, AND REGULATIONS AS THEY RELATE TO THIS SECTION.
Banana Pepper Services shall not be liable for any penalties, levies, fines, and/or fees, which may be imposed if such taxes and/or other contributions are not paid by you.
You further agree that you shall defend, indemnify, and hold Banana Pepper Services and its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents, successors and permitted assigns thereof harmless for any and all judgments, levies, fines, costs, penalties, assessments or fees associated with such required payments, or with respect to any demand or claim related in any way to any failure to declare, collect, remit, and/or pay on a timely basis all such taxes and related amounts.
5.4 You have no authority to make promises, agreements, or otherwise make commitments on Banana Pepper Services's behalf.
5.5 You may represent, perform services for, or be employed by, any third persons or companies as you see fit.
5.6 Banana Pepper Services does not guarantee the availability of the Banana Pepper Services Platform. You understand that the Banana Pepper Services Platform may be unavailable at any time and for any reason. The Banana Pepper Services Platform may be subject to delays, and Banana Pepper Services is not responsible for any delays, damages, or losses resulting from the delays.
6 CONTRACTOR'S REPRESENTATIONS AND INDEMNITIES
6.1 You represent that you have the qualifications, insurance, licenses, registrations, and skills to perform the Services in a competent, professional, and reliable manner.
6.2 You agree that you shall and do hereby indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Banana Pepper Services, and Banana Pepper Services’s officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents, and its or their successors and assigns, from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, costs, expenses, obligations, liabilities, damages, recoveries, and deficiencies, including interest, penalties, and reasonable legal fees and costs, that any of the foregoing persons or any other persons may incur or suffer and that result from, or are related to: (a) the performance of the Services; (b) any breach or failure by you to perform or abide by any of the representations, warranties, and agreements set forth in this Agreement or incorporated by reference; (c) your violation of any law or the rights of a third party, including a customer, retail partner, or any individual associated with a retail partner, as a result of your own interaction with such third party; (d) any allegation that any materials that you use in carrying out the Services infringe or otherwise violate the copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other rights of any third party; (e) your ownership, use or operation of a motor vehicle or passenger vehicle, including during your provision of Services; and/or (f) any other activities in connection with the Services. This indemnity shall be applicable without regard to the negligence of any party, including any indemnified person. You agree that Banana Pepper Services is not responsible for any loss, damage or depreciation that may occur to your equipment, including but not limited to your vehicle.
6.3 ON A CONTINUING BASIS, YOU SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:
A. MAINTAINING A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE AND BEING MEDICALLY FIT TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE;
B. MAINTAINING ANY OTHER REQUIRED LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, INSURANCE, AND PERMITS USUAL OR NECESSARY FOR PERFORMING THE SERVICES;
C. OWNING OR HAVING THE LEGAL RIGHT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE YOU USE WHEN PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES; and
D. DRIVING SAFELY AND NOT ENGAGING IN UNSAFE BEHAVIOR, INCLUDING BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS WHILE DRIVING.
You agree to provide, upon our request, proof of insurance coverage, valid licenses, valid vehicle registration, and your criminal or driving record, provided Banana Pepper Services can request this information under applicable law.
6.4 You will be solely responsible for procuring all equipment, supplies, tools, and/or instrumentalities that are necessary to perform the Services and obligations under this Agreement. You agree that while providing Services using the Banana Pepper Services Platform, you will maintain the latest version of the Banana Pepper Services App. You agree that by downloading and using the Banana Pepper Services App, you are bound by any future amendments and additions to information referenced in the Banana Pepper Services App, and the ability to continue to use of the Banana Pepper Services App is consideration for and consent to such changes.
6.5 You agree that you will perform the Services in a competent, professional, safe, and reliable manner, recognizing that the Services are personal to the customer, in order to maximize customer satisfaction and to achieve the results represented to the customer. You understand that the Services you provide to the customer create a direct business relationship between you and the customer. You also agree that repeated cancellation of your commitments to provide the Services results in abuse of the Banana Pepper Services Platform, making it less reliable for customers. You agree to comply with any laws and regulations applicable to the performance of the Services. You further recognize and agree that customer satisfaction in the services provided by the customer are measured, and poor customer satisfaction is a reason to terminate the Agreement under Section 4, above.
6.6 You agree that the use of customer information (including but not limited to the identity, address, and contact information of customers) is governed by Banana Pepper Services’s Terms and Conditions, which you can find at https://www.bananapepper.ca/terms-and-conditions/. You agree that you will not use customer information in any manner that is inconsistent with the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy, and that failure to abide by provision constitutes a material breach of this agreement. In particular, you agree that you will not use the Banana Pepper Services App to communicate with a customer except to the extent necessary to shop for and/or deliver the customer’s order, choose customer items at a retailer site, deliver those items, and/or provide updates on the status of a customer order. Moreover, you recognize and agree that customer information is Confidential Information governed by Section 7 of this agreement.
6.7 You agree to accept messages from Banana Pepper Services via the Banana Pepper Services App, SMS, text message, email, and/or by telephone call and agree that such communications do not violate any applicable laws. You consent to have Banana Pepper Services call or text message you at the phone number you provide. You agree that telephone calls between you and Banana Pepper Services or its agent or partner may be recorded and that you hereby consent to any such recording. You agree not to use customer information for any purpose other than provision of the Services.
6.8 You agree that, for an Opportunity that includes an alcohol purchase, you are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal, provincial, and local laws and guidance, including but not limited to ensuring that the individual accepting the order has a valid identification, is at least the minimum legal drinking age, and is not visibly intoxicated.
6.9 You agree that, if you accept an Opportunity that includes an item that needs to maintain either a hot or cold temperature, you will ensure compliance with all federal, provincial, and local laws and guidance and deliver the item in a manner that ensures the health and safety of the customer. You further agree that you will lawfully acquire any equipment, including but not limited to insulated bags, needed to perform the Services.
7 NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
7.1 During the course of your relationship with Banana Pepper Services, you may have access to and/or become acquainted with confidential, proprietary, and/or trade secret information of Banana Pepper Services and/or its customers (collectively, “Confidential Information”), which is valuable to Banana Pepper Services. Confidential Information includes any and all information relating in any manner to the business, including but not limited to aspects of its technology platform, which includes the Banana Pepper Services App. Confidential Information further includes any and all information relating in any manner to the business of Banana Pepper Services’s clients, as applicable, and its and their consultants, customers, clients, and business associates, which is not known generally to the public. Confidential Information also includes, but is not limited to, trade secrets, client or vendor lists, client information, customer lists, and customer information (including but not limited to the identity, address, and contact information of customers), contracts, agreements, accounting or financial information, pricing information, business plans and data, formulae, technical know-how, processes, methods, techniques, procedures, software, databases, marketing strategies and data, pending projects and proposals, programs, designs, drawings, diagrams, test data, research and other such information of a confidential nature regardless of whether furnished before or after the date of execution of this Agreement, whether oral or written, and regardless of the form of communication or the manner in which it is furnished and all analyses, compilations, data, studies, notes, interpretations, memoranda, extracts, or other documents prepared by Banana Pepper Services containing or based in whole or in part on any such furnished information. You specifically agree that all Confidential Information shall be treated as confidential without regard to whether any specific item of information or material has been labeled "Confidential," "Secret," or "Trade Secret," or any similar designation. Confidential Information does not include, however, information that you can show by documentary evidence: (i) is or has become generally available to the public through no wrongful act of your own; or (ii) has been independently acquired or developed by you without violating any of your obligations under any agreement with Banana Pepper Services, any agreement with a third party, or applicable law.
7.2 You: (i) will hold and maintain all Confidential Information in the strictest confidence; (ii) except as reasonably necessary to perform the Services or as authorized in writing by Banana Pepper Services, will not at any time, whether during or subsequent to the term of this Agreement, in any fashion, form or manner, either directly or indirectly, use, divulge, disclose, or communicate any Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation, or entity in any manner whatsoever; and (iii) shall require, and ensure that its directors, officers, employees, agents, and permitted subcontractors who may receive Confidential Information maintain the same in strict confidence and not use or disclose the information except as permitted under this Agreement. You further agree specifically that you will keep secret from any of Banana Pepper Services’s competitors all Confidential Information learned, transmitted, or otherwise obtained by you, including but not limited to Confidential Information about Banana Pepper Services and its operations. You acknowledge that further customer-specific compliance requirements may be applicable and enforceable against you. Except for the purpose of providing the Services, at no time will you turn over your username for or password to the Banana Pepper Services App to any third party.
7.3 You agree that all drawings, memorandums, invoices, diaries, project books, notebooks, sketches, reports, manuals, computer programs, computer files, and any other materials in any manner and in any medium affecting, recording, or relating to Banana Pepper Services’s Confidential Information shall at all times be and remain Banana Pepper Services’s sole property, and shall not be removed from Banana Pepper Services’s premises under any circumstances whatsoever without Banana Pepper Services’s prior written consent, except when (and only for the period) necessary to carry out the Services hereunder, and if removed shall be immediately returned to Banana Pepper Services upon termination of this Agreement, and no copies shall be kept by you. Upon Banana Pepper Services's request, you will provide a truthful declaration to Banana Pepper Services certifying that all Confidential Information and all copies thereof have been delivered to Banana Pepper Services, and deleted from your computers, laptops, telephones, or other electronic or recording device.
7.4 If you are required by applicable law or regulation or by legal process to disclose any Confidential Information, you will immediately notify Banana Pepper Services in writing prior to making any such disclosure and assist Banana Pepper Services in seeking a protective order or other appropriate remedy. You further agree that if Banana Pepper Services is not successful in precluding the requesting legal body from reviewing the Confidential Information, you will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required and will exercise your best efforts to obtain reliable assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential Information.
7.5 The restrictions placed upon you in this Section will survive the termination of this Agreement and continue in perpetuity. You agree that any breach of any term of this Section is a material breach of this Agreement.
7.6 You agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of any personal information about you in accordance with applicable laws.
8 MUTUAL AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE DISPUTES (“ARBITRATION PROVISION”)
8.1 (a) Intent to Arbitrate. The Parties agree to first attempt to resolve any disputes or claims amicably by providing 30 days written notice prior to filing any such dispute or claims. If the Parties are unable to reach a resolution amicably, and except as provided explicitly in Section 8.4 or as set forth in Section 8.8, the Parties hereby agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ANY AND ALL DISPUTES OR CLAIMS BETWEEN YOU AND Banana Pepper Services whether in contract, tort, or otherwise arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement, the Services, or the relationship between the Parties, including but not limited to any disputes or claims regarding the formation (including any assertion of unconscionability or invalidity), existence, breach, termination, Services, scope, validity, enforceability, applicability, or interpretation of the relationship between the Parties or this Agreement, shall be exclusively resolved by final and binding arbitration.
The Parties anticipate that by entering into this Arbitration Provision, they will gain the benefits of a speedy and less expensive dispute resolution procedure. This Arbitration Provision shall encompass all disputes and claims that Banana Pepper Services may have against you, or that you may have against Banana Pepper Services and/or any of its officers, directors, employees, owners, agents, representatives, benefit plans, sponsors, fiduciaries, agents, parents, subsidiaries, or affiliated entities arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Services performed by you.
(b) Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8.4, the Parties agree that the third party retailers at or in whose premises the Services under this Agreement may be performed, as well as any consumer reporting agency responsible for providing background check services of you, are intended third party beneficiaries of this Arbitration Provision. The Parties further agree that a dispute or claim also includes all those between you and a third party concerning the provision of any background check of you by a consumer reporting agency. Any disputes or claims in this regard shall be resolved exclusively by an arbitrator.
(c) For additional clarity, by signing this Agreement, the Parties hereby expressly waive, to the extent permitted by applicable law, their right to have any dispute or claim resolved by a court, unless specifically set out herein.
8.2 Waiver of Class Action Claims. By signing this Agreement, Banana Pepper Services and you agree that each may bring and pursue claims against the other only in their individual capacities, and may not bring, pursue or act as a plaintiff, class representative, or class member in any purported class or collective proceeding or action other than on an individual basis except to the extent this provision is unenforceable as a matter of law. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, if the waiver set forth in this section is found to be unenforceable, the Parties agree that any class or collective action claims will be litigated in a court of competent jurisdiction and not as a class or collective arbitration.
8.3 (a) Waiver of Other Representative Proceedings and Jury Trial. By signing this Agreement, you and Banana Pepper Services agree that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any and all dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a collective, consolidated, or on the basis of a joinder of proceedings.
(b) If for any reason a dispute, claim, or controversy proceeds in a court rather than in arbitration, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Parties hereby further waive any right to a jury trial and agree that any such court proceeding will also be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, representative, collective, consolidated, or on the basis of a joinder of proceedings.
8.4 Claims Not Covered. The only disputes or claims not covered by this Agreement are those that, as a matter of applicable law, the Parties cannot agree to arbitrate. Disputes or claims between Banana Pepper Services and any third party beneficiaries are also not covered by the terms of this Arbitration Provision.
8.5 Arbitration Procedures and Location. By signing this Agreement, the Parties further agree that any arbitration shall be conducted and resolved before a sole arbitrator selected in accordance with the Simplified Rules of the ADR Institute of Canada, Inc. The Parties agree that the arbitration shall proceed under the Simplified Rules of the ADR Institute of Canada, Inc., with the Parties first attempting to select the arbitrator from a panel of arbitrator names provided by the ADR Institute of Canada, Inc., and if that is not successful, then the ADR Institute of Canada, Inc. will follow the Simplified Rules for the arbitrator’s selection. The arbitration will be held: (i) in the province where the Contractor is performing Services and in the city that is geographically closest to where the Contractor resides in the province that has a population greater than 100,000 people. In event there is no such city in the province, the arbitration will be held (ii) in such location as the Parties may mutually agree to, or (iii) in the absence of such agreement, in the provincial capital. The language of the arbitration will be English.
8.6 Arbitration Costs, Lawyers’ Fees, and Costs. The arbitrator shall have the power to award and apportion the arbitration costs (including the arbitrator’s fees and expenses) in accordance with the Simplified Rules of the ADR Institute of Canada, Inc. Each party shall otherwise pay its own lawyers’ fees and costs.
8.7 Awards. The arbitrator is authorized to award any remedy or relief available under applicable law that the arbitrator deems just and equitable, including any remedy or relief that would have been available to the parties had the matter been heard in a court. The decision of the arbitrator shall be in writing and shall provide the reasons for the award unless the parties agree otherwise.
8.8 (a) Opt-Out for Arbitration Provision. You have 30 calendar days from the date that you signed this Agreement to opt-out of the Arbitration Provision. However, opting-out of this Arbitration Provision does not affect any other part of this Agreement. If you opt-out of the Arbitration Provision, then neither you nor Banana Pepper Services will be bound by the terms of this Arbitration Provision. Should you not opt-out in accordance with this section within the 30 day period, then this Arbitration Provision will become fully effective and binding as of the date the Agreement is executed by you.
(b) To opt-out, within 30 calendar days from the date that you sign this Agreement, you must notify Banana Pepper Services in writing of your intent to opt out of the Arbitration Provision by providing your first and last name and a clear statement of your intent to opt out such as “I wish to opt out of the Arbitration Provision” or words to that effect. The written intent to opt out must be provided either by: (1) sending electronic mail to support@GardenFresshh.com; or (2) by sending a letter by Canada Post, or by any nationally recognized delivery service (e.g. UPS, Federal Express), or delivered by hand, to:
Banana Pepper Services
c/o Legal Team
9500 Garden City Road
Richmond, BC V7A-2S2
(c) In order to be effective, the letter under option (2) must be dated and signed and the envelope containing the signed letter must be received (if delivered by hand) or post-marked within 30 days of the date you signed this Agreement. Your written intent to opt out of the Arbitration Provision, whether sent by (1) or (2), will be maintained by Banana Pepper Services.
9 NOTICES
Except as explicitly provided in Section 8.8, any notices to Banana Pepper Services shall be given by certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested to:
Banana Pepper Services
c/o Legal Team
9500 Garden City Road
Richmond, BC V7A-2S2
Such notice shall be deemed given five days after the date of mailing. Any notices to you shall be provided through the Banana Pepper Services App or given via the email address you provided to Banana Pepper Services, and such notice shall be deemed given immediately upon sending. Alternatively, Banana Pepper Services may provide you notice by certified mail to the address provided by you to Banana Pepper Services. In such case, notice shall be deemed given five days after the date of mailing.
10 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Banana Pepper Services, you, and our respective heirs, successors and assigns, except that you may not assign your rights or delegate your duties or obligations hereunder (including, without limitation, pursuant to any subcontract) without the prior written consent of Banana Pepper Services. This should not be construed as precluding you from hiring individuals to assist in the provision of Services.
11 SEVERABILITY
Except as explicitly set forth in Section 8.2 and 8.3, in the event that any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, void, null, or unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The Parties further agree that any claims that are found not subject to arbitration under this Agreement, shall be stayed in a court of competent jurisdiction pending the outcome of the arbitration of any other asserted claims.
12 MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
12.1 The Agreement can only be revoked or modified in writing signed by both Parties that specifically states an intent to revoke or modify this Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and, unless as permitted herein, shall not be modified, altered, changed, or amended in any respect, unless in writing and signed by both Parties. Before accepting any modifications, alterations, changes, or amendments, you shall have the right to discuss any proposed changes with Banana Pepper Services and consider whether to continue your contractual relationship with Banana Pepper Services. Unless otherwise stated in this Agreement, THIS AGREEMENT SUPERSEDES ALL PRIOR AGREEMENTS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, YOU MAY NOT USE OR ACCESS THE Banana Pepper Services PLATFORM. No waiver by any Party to this Agreement of any provision hereof shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach of such provision, or a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement by any other.
12.2 Banana Pepper Services also reserves the right to modify any information referenced in the hyperlinks included in this Agreement in its reasonable and good faith business judgment from time to time, and such modifications shall become effective upon posting. Continued use of the Banana Pepper Services Platform or performance of Services after any such changes are posted shall constitute your consent to such changes. Unless material changes are made to the Arbitration Provision herein, you agree that modification of this Agreement and/or the hyperlinks included in this Agreement does not create a renewed opportunity to opt-out of arbitration (if applicable).
13 VOLUNTARY
By executing this Agreement, the Parties represent that they have been given the opportunity to fully review, comprehend, and negotiate the terms of this Agreement. The Parties understand the terms of this Agreement and freely and voluntarily sign this Agreement. If you have any questions about this Agreement, you may wish to seek legal advice and are free to do so.
14 GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. For Contractors located in the Province of Quebec, this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of Canada and the Province of Quebec and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. The language in all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed according to its fair meaning and not strictly for or against either Party.
15 ENTIRE AGREEMENT
Except to the extent that you opt-out of the Arbitration Provision in this Agreement, this Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements between you and Banana Pepper Services, whether oral or in writing, and contains all of the covenants and agreements between you and Banana Pepper Services with respect to your Services. You and Banana Pepper Services each acknowledge that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, originally or otherwise, have been made to either Party to the other, or by anyone acting on behalf of either Party, which are not embodied herein.
16 EFFECTIVE DATE
The Effective Date of this Agreement is the date upon which you sign.
17 LANGUAGE (APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTORS IN QUEBEC ONLY)
The Parties to this Agreement acknowledge that they have expressly required that this Agreement and any related documents or notices be drawn-up exclusively in the English language. Les parties auxpré sentes ont expressément exigé que la présente entente ainsi que tout document ou avis y afférent soient rédigés uniquement en langue anglaise.