Professional Governance Act Transition

 Overview

The Government of British Columbia has announced that the AIBC will be moved from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training to the Ministry of the Attorney General, with an eventual transition from the Architects Act to the Professional Governance Act. The letter from the government, which announces the transition, can be read here.

This transition does not change the AIBC’s core function, mandate, or operations – the AIBC will continue to exist, and will continue to regulate the profession of architecture in British Columbia in the interest of the public. Over the next several years, the AIBC will work with Attorney General and the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG) as partners in professional regulation to transition Ministries and legislation.

The AIBC has sought to modernize the Architects Act for many years. Although changes to the Architects Act now won’t be made, the PGA contains key items that were being considered as amendments to the Act. The transition to the Professional Governance Act better aligns the profession with current societal and governmental expectations and standards, and will allow the AIBC to more effectively regulate the profession in the public’s interest.

Information, including next steps and updates, will be shared on this webpage. We encourage you to check back frequently – the AIBC is committed to keeping registrants and the public informed at each stage of the transition process.

Current Status

Transitioning Ministries

The AIBC will be working with the OSPG to transition ministries, from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training to the Ministry of the Attorney General. We are in the preliminary stage of this phase, and are still gathering information about the transition and government’s proposed approach for implementation. It is important to note this part of the transition does not involve any regulatory or operational changes.

This stage is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2020.

Updates & Next Steps

Virtual Town Hall
To provide registrants an opportunity to speak with the government directly about the transition, the AIBC hosted a virtual Town Hall session with Paul Craven, the Superintendent of the Office of Professional Governance (OSPG) on September 17, 2020. He was joined by Council President Ian R. McDonald and Mark Vernon, CEO of the AIBC.

• View the OSPG Virtual Town Hall Presentation 

Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions
The AIBC is compiling a frequently asked questions list, which will be published on this webpage. Registrants are encouraged to send all questions to pga@aibc.ca.

Submit Comments, Questions and Feedback

If you have any questions about the transition, please email them to pga@aibc.ca. This will allow the AIBC to compile and categorize questions, as well as gain a better understanding of the public’s and registrants’ comments and concerns.

Your questions will be answered in a Frequently Asked Questions section on this webpage. Please note submitted questions will remain anonymous.

Question and Answers

Resources

• • • Letter from the Government of B.C. Announcing Transition
    • OSPG Virtual Town Hall Presentation 
    • Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance website
    • Bill 49 – 2018: Professional Governance Act (Full Act)
    • Professional Governance Act (Items in Force)
    • Factsheet: Professional Governance Act Overview
    • Implementing the PGA Timeline
    • Professional Reliance Review
    • ABCFP Forestry Conference – Q&A with Paul Craven, Superintendent of Professional Governance

AIBC Contact

If you have any questions about the legislation and ministry transition, please email pga@aibc.ca.