As a reminder, the AIBC will not be fully transitioned to the Professional Governance Act (PGA) until the end of 2022. The AIBC’s transition focus is on drafting bylaws that are compliant with PGA requirements, as well as working with government on the profession’s ‘reserved practice’. Registrants can see the current status of the transition, including the draft registration bylaws and reserved practice recommendations, on the AIBC website’s PGA Transition page.
Regulation versus Advocacy
The PGA is intended to provide a consistent framework for self-regulating professions that incorporates best practices of professional governance, including regulation in the public interest. The legislation draws a clear line between regulation and advocacy so that organizations under the PGA focus their activities on regulating registrants to serve the public interest. The Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance has provided advocacy guidance, stating that the policy intent is that regulatory bodies avoid activities that may lead to the perception, or reality, that the regulatory body is putting the interests of registrants ahead of the public interest.
Regulation
The AIBC is the regulatory body for the profession of architecture in British Columbia. The transition to the PGA does not change this identity – rather, it strengthens the AIBC’s mandate of regulating through a responsive regulatory framework, in the interest of the public. The AIBC is still responsible for these pillars of regulation:
- Registration and Licensing: Establishing and enforcing standards for admission to the profession and for professional practice and ethics
- Compliance and Enforcement: Conduct investigations into complaints against registrants and those practising architecture unlawfully, and resolve matters fairly and in the public interest
- Professional Development: Requiring mandatory continuing professional education
- Outreach: Promote understanding of public interest mandate and public interest action
To support this, the AIBC has been allocating any remaining advocacy programs to external organizations whose missions and values are in alignment with advocating for the profession.
Advocacy
Architectural advocacy organizations promote and advocate for the profession, and represent the interests of their members – similar to a business association. The advocacy body for the profession of architecture in B.C. is the Architecture Foundation of British Columbia (AFBC). While both the AIBC and AFBC relate to the architectural profession, they have distinct mandates.
Architecture Foundation of British Columbia
The Architecture Foundation of British Columbia is a non-profit organization advocating for the advancement of architecture and design in British Columbia. The AFBC is also a registered charity that funds education programs, scholarships, and other philanthropic initiatives.
The AFBC has three major objectives:
- Advocacy
- Awareness
- Education
They further these goals through a variety of initiatives and programs, including: the AFBC Architectural Awards of Excellence; scholarships to architectural school programs to enable access for students studying architecture, and to promote inclusion and diversity in the profession; and networking events to connect stakeholders in the world of architecture and design.
In April 2021, the AFBC unveiled their new brand, which included launching a range of new opportunities for British Columbia’s community of architects and designers by opening their membership tiers. Membership with the AFBC invites participation in networking events, speaker series, advocacy platforms, volunteer opportunities, and the AFBC Awards of Excellence Program.
Individuals interested in getting involved with more advocacy efforts relating to the architectural profession in B.C. or learning more about AFBC membership, can visit their website: architecturefoundationbc.ca. The AFBC also currently has an opportunity to join their Volunteer Committee. The Committee supports hosting the Awards of Excellence, networking events, and projects related to diversity and advocacy. Those interested in getting involved with the Foundation can email info@architecturefoundationbc.ca.
Learn more about the AIBC’s transition to the PGA
Learn more about the Architecture Foundation of British Columbia