Canon CPS lens requirements--seriously?

Whether it is American, Canadian, Australia or Bolivia I liked the way the CPS program was before when it was for professionals. Canon saw an opportunity for a cash grab and went for it. Personally I think the requirements have been lowered to a point where pretty much anyone can partake and thus Canon gets their little extra pound of flesh from us. I also don't see why they couldn't have had a standard that consistent from country to country or maybe at least on the same continent.

ssim wrote in post #12601451
Whether it is American, Canadian, Australia or Bolivia I liked the way the CPS program was before when it was for professionals. Canon saw an opportunity for a cash grab and went for it. Personally I think the requirements have been lowered to a point where pretty much anyone can partake and thus Canon gets their little extra pound of flesh from us. I also don't see why they couldn't have had a standard that consistent from country to country or maybe at least on the same continent.

So basically for member ship in CPS you need 2 **D bodies and 3 lenses and thats it (in the US)? Wow. NPS (Nikon's) wants a letter of introduction on your own letterhead, you to describe your photography and request an invitation. A NPS sponsor (someone who already is a NPS member who can vouch for you that you are a full time pro), tear sheets for the last 12 months and 2 pro bodies + min of 3 Nikkor lenses (DX included). I figured CPS was as strict as NPS.

YamahaRob wrote in post #12602257
So basically for member ship in CPS you need 2 **D bodies and 3 lenses and thats it (in the US)? Wow. NPS (Nikon's) wants a letter of introduction on your own letterhead, you to describe your photography and request an invitation. A NPS sponsor (someone who already is a NPS member who can vouch for you that you are a full time pro), tear sheets for the last 12 months and 2 pro bodies + min of 3 Nikkor lenses (DX included). I figured CPS was as strict as NPS.

Canon Canada had very similar conditions previous to this whole worldwide changing of the rules. When I applied for the first time, I had to provide copies of business licenses, contacts to a few customers who would vouch that they had hired me and some other things that escape my memory right now. Gear requirements at that time were only 1 series bodies and L lenses which you had to have at least two bodies and three lenses, again if my memory serves me correctly. When I was accepted there was no free gifts and there was also no charge for it. When I saw the new makeup of this program I could only surmise that they saw a way for them to create a new revenue stream. I spent some time after the fact talking to someone from CPS and they privately acknowledged this to be partly correct and they knew that alot of weekend warriors were keen to belong as they felt it gave them more validity in the photographic community.

krb wrote in post #12581820
This thread is not about Canadian CPS, it is about the qualifications for American CPS where the "P" stands for "professional" and all 3 levels require that you not only have the equipment but that you use the equipment to earn a living.

Same here in Australia. There are 2 levels (Silver and Gold) and both require you to be a full-time professional photographer. Their definition of professional is that you must earn the majority of your income from photography.