From coast to coast to coast, the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (“AIBC” or “Institute”) is grateful to live, learn and work on the traditional and ancestral territories of the Indigenous peoples who have been and continue to be the stewards of the land. The AIBC head office is located on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations lands, in Coast Salish Territory.
The AIBC strives to be equitable and inclusive in its role as a regulator and as an employer. Recognizing that much is lost, including innovation, without diverse experiences, perspectives, and people, the AIBC considers true sustainable diversity to be the result of an inclusive environment. The Institute is committed to pursuing and incorporating equity and inclusion best practices into AIBC programs and processes, and believes that the AIBC community and registrants should be representative of the diverse public that they serve.
The AIBC endeavours to offer programs, and implement procedures and practices that are inclusive, anti-oppressive and support the growth and development of its registrants and employees. The AIBC is committed to providing and nurturing a collegial, inclusive, healthy, and safe regulatory and working environment in which all individuals are treated with fairness, respect and dignity. We all have protected rights and fundamental freedoms which are set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and reflected in Council Policy, AIBC’s Respectful Workplace Policy, AIBC Code of Conduct, and AIBC Volunteer Code of Conduct. Inclusivity and supporting diversity have been long-standing and ongoing initiatives of the AIBC and are embedded in the core values and strategic goals of the Institute.
As a Regulator
Equity and inclusion have been ongoing areas of focus at the Institute for the better part of ten years, building on the work of Council’s 2012/13 “Diverse Members Working Group”. Though the spectrum of issues related to inequities and exclusion are always important to acknowledge and overcome, AIBC believes it is time to make even more meaningful changes. The AIBC is continuing its work to reduce unnecessary barriers to registration and participation for those who have been historically excluded from, and remain underrepresented, in the profession of architecture and in the regulatory sector in British Columbia. This ongoing work includes integrating principles of respect and inclusion and investing in equity programs within our regulatory mandate.
*The following lists are not comprehensive; however, we will update them as work proceeds.
AIBC actions as a Regulator:
Completed
In Progress
Planned
As an Employer
The AIBC is a fair and progressive employer that actively seeks opportunities to become more inclusive and equitable. Equity, diversity and inclusion related training opportunities for staff and volunteers continue to be offered, and further developed. AIBC acknowledges that everyone holds unconscious beliefs about various social and identity groups, and that often these beliefs are incompatible with one’s conscious values. Rather than responding to individual biases, AIBC remains focused on removing systems which may oppress, exclude or discriminate against individuals. Work on this is ongoing, some work has been accomplished but the AIBC recognizes there is more to be done.
The AIBC is committed to being proactive, responsive, and to champion equity and inclusion at the Institute. We will listen and learn from each other as we continue our work, as always, in the public interest.
The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force welcomes your feedback (EDI@aibc.ca). If you would prefer to communicate to the AIBC about EDI-related experiences confidentially, you are welcome to contact the AIBC’s Director of People and Administration, Shawna Chilton (schilton@aibc.ca).