At the September 12, 2017 council meeting, the following items were discussed:
Council Motions
- For a number of years the International Relations Committee of CALA has been working on a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE). The proposed agreement will enable a Canadian or European architect to become registered if the architect has a combined 12 years’ of education, training, and practice, and has a minimum of four years’ post licensure experience. An online assessment course is being developed for European architects seeking registration in Canada, and there is provision for EU states to require the same of Canadian architects. Following the model developed by the AIBC for APEC Architects, the Quebec association (OAQ) will be responsible for the processing of all incoming and outgoing architects, including review of the application, facilitation of the assessment course, and notification to the applicant’s provincial jurisdiction of choice.
In light of the extensive review and consultation that has been undertaken, council approved the current draft so that it may be signed by all CALA members, in advance of the formal signing ceremony in October 2017 at the World Design Festival.
- Council approved the decommissioning of the Act Review Working Group. Its mandate and specific assignments detailed in Terms of Reference were mostly satisfied. Remaining efforts with regard to Architects Act amendments will be operationalized, with regular reporting to council by way of the CEO Report.
- Council approved the Remedial Review Panel Terms of Reference as well as committee members Paul Becker Architect AIBC, Mark Hamilton Architect AIBC and Simon Ho Architect AIBC. The Remedial Review Panel was established under bylaw approved in August 2016. Its role is to monitor and assess compliance with remedial recommendations made by the AIBC’s Investigations Committee under the AIBC’s remedial process. Remedial Recommendations are an alternative approach to resolving disciplinary matters that would otherwise proceed through the disciplinary process (Disciplinary Inquiry or Consensual Resolution.
- Council approved the CACB Standing Committee’s nomination of Chris Young NSAA for the appointment to the CACB Board of Directors as the CALA rep for a three-year term commencing in the fall of 2017.
FICOM
- A financial risk assessment was done in 2013, with a review scheduled every 5 years in order to keep it up to date with current conditions (policy 1.13.8/2.5.8). The consultant that performed the original assessment was contacted to start the review process, for completion before the end of the current council year (May 2018).
CEO Report
External Items
- CACB Standing Committee developed a draft plan for the educational track of the Future of the Profession Task Force, outlining the process by which CALA would engage with CCUSA.
- Future of the Profession work continued to work on the details of the proposal, in advance of the October CALA meeting.
- Catherine Nickerson, Thomas Lutes, Maura Gatensby and I presented a workshop to the senior staff of the Building and Safety Standards Branch on the role of architects.
Internal Operations
- Bylaw Review: With 80% of voters in support, members approved the introduction of mandatory Professional Liability (PLI) Bylaws. Close to 40% of members participated in the vote, the highest participation turnout on record since bylaw e-voting was introduced. Though the bylaws’ effective date is September 1 (after the government’s disallowance period lapsed), compliance will not be enforced until after the February 1, 2019 annual renewal cycle deadline. This 17-month lead time will provide members ample opportunity to research and secure PLI.
- Healthy membership: AIBC continues to experience increasing membership numbers: 2052 architects; firms with certificates of practice at 938; and interns at 640, as of August 24, 2017. A new Canadian Architect has been added to the APEC register; to date, there are now three Canadian architects included into the APEC register from British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. We have 79 registered to write the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC) this November in Vancouver and Victoria. Two more Broadly Experienced Applicant (BEA) applicants enrolled under the program bringing the total to 10 since the lifting of moratorium in September 2016.
- The AIBC and Passive House Canada partnered and successfully delivered a three-day condensed Passive House Design and Construction for Architects course, geared towards architects and professionals with training in building envelope design. The course, delivered by Passive House Canada, was held at the AIBC and was sold out with 30 participants. There were twenty Architects AIBC, two Intern Architects AIBC, one Architectural Technologist AIBC, and seven non-registrants in attendance. The course is equivalent to 120A – the first of three courses required for the ‘Certified Passive House Designer or Consultant’ designation. The AIBC will host the Exam Preparation for the Passive House Designer/Consultant Exam on September 26 and 27, 2017.
- The AIBC is excited to announce a new Professional Development (PD) Series beginning this fall. Presented in a convenient lunch and learn format, attendees will explore key topics of interest in architecture – from industry developments to sustainability initiatives. This monthly PD series includes three different seminars and offers participants an informative and engaging way to earn learning units. Each session is eligible for 1.5 Core LUs.
- CES Compliancy Update: As of August 2017, nearly 20% of CES Participants (Architects AIBC and Architectural Technologists AIBC) have met their CES requirements for the July 1, 2016–June 30, 2018 reporting period.
- A limited-run edition of architectureBC was published to showcase the 2017 AIBC Architectural Award winners, shortlist and submissions. Hard copies are available by emailing communications@aibc.ca and a digital version is available for viewing online.
- The Internship in Architecture website has been reskinned to match the suite of AIBC digital communications properties.
- On July 20, the AIBC Gallery welcomed more than 150 guests to the opening reception of Building Beyond Buildings, an exhibit commemorating the late Bing Thom. The exhibit ran until the end of August. Special thanks to Bing Thom Architects for curating the exhibit.
- UBC SALA Comprehensive Design Studio’s Sketches of Sea Island is on display from August 29 – September 29; the opening reception was held August 29 with many first, second and third year students in attendance. UBC SALA Executive Director Ron Kellet and AIBC Registrar Gordon Richards delivered introductory remarks.
- The July–August Walking Tour Program came to a close, marking the end of the summer. This year the program earned a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, awarded to properties that consistently achieve outstanding reviews.
- “Women in Architecture | Voices of the AIBC” was published in early July and drove more than 300 visits to the AIBC website. The “2017 International Young Architect Workshop: A Look Back” retrospective piece was published in August and drove nearly 100 visits to the website.
External Events
- AIBC Vice President Ian McDonald spoke on behalf of the AIBC at the Passive House Canada Ice Box Challenge in July; discussed architects’ commitment to leading sustainable initiatives, the importance of good design from the start of projects, and the AIBC’s longstanding partnership with Passive House Canada.
Other Business
- Motions were passed for AIBC council meeting minutes, committee changes, council policy, examination results and register amendments.
- Read adopted July 11, 2017 council meeting minutes.
Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of AIBC Council is scheduled for November 14, 2017. It will be held at the AIBC office between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. For those interested in attending an AIBC Council Meeting, please confirm your attendance in advance by email to ttough@aibc.ca.