Frequently Asked Questions

A: In 2002, the AIBC established a task force with representation from architects, and Building, Residential, and Interior Designers to work on proposals for a new Architectural Professions Act. In recent years the task force has been joined by Architectural Technologists. It has since been renamed the Task Force for Legislative Change.

Q: Why are Building Designers, Residential Designers and Interior Designers involved with the task force?

A: These three allied groups are seeking a credible and effective model for regulating protection of the public interest, one that better recognizes their close professional connection to the architectural profession.

Q: Why is it necessary to change the existing legislation?

A: The Architects Act, established in 1920, is outdated, inefficient, difficult to administer, and does not reflect modern circumstances for professional practice and consumer protection.

Q: What areas have proven to be most problematic?

A: Two ongoing challenges are the sections pertaining to definition of practice and the intersection of architecture and engineering. Consultation with our engineering colleagues is ongoing.

Q: What has prompted the AIBC to pursue a new act?

A: In recent years, the provincial government has taken it upon itself to update various pieces of legislation. Given the potential for the interests of the profession to come into conflict with proposed legislative changes in other areas (such as professional engineers), as well as the likelihood the province might simply introduce changes with little or no input from the profession, the AIBC chose to take a leadership role in bringing forward revised legislation that better suits the needs and interests of the public and its membership.

Q: What is the basis for the changes suggested by the draft legislation?

A: As with the existing legislation, the guiding principle continues to be that of protecting the public interest, followed by assuring the strengths of the profession.

Q: Would the new legislation impact one’s professional designation?

A: No, although it will introduce several new designations. The AIBC has already made the necessary submissions to reserve the titles Architect.AIBC, Architectural Technologist.AIBC, Building Designer.AIBC, Residential Designer.AIBC and Interior Designer.AIBC, as well as the designations Arch.AIBC, AT.AIBC, BD.AIBC, RD.AIBC and ID.AIBC as official marks under Canadian trademark legislation..

Q: When will these come into effect?

A: These designations take effect new provincial legislation is acclaimed.

Q: Why does the AIBC now include Building Designers and Residential Designers?

A: Building Designers and Residential Designers were existing professions seeking a regulatory home as well as having a shared interest with the AIBC in offering solutions to the built environment. By bringing them into the fold, it both better protects the public interest and strengthens the AIBC’s status as the home of architecture.

Q: Where does the AIBC get the authority to expand its membership in such a way?

A: Under Section 40 of the Architects Act, the AIBC Council may admit any person into the institute as an associate, as is the case with Building, Interior and Residential Designers, as well as Architectural Technologists. As Associates, they have limited status within the institute and no defined scope of practice. Under the proposed new legislation, all would be regarded as members with the potential for limited scopes of practice.

Q: How can AIBC Council simply create classes of architects or other members, or scopes of practice?

A: It can’t. As explained above, the authority exists to introduce categories of associate, not full members. This will continue to be the case under the proposed new legislation, where such decisions will be the product of by-laws requiring a member vote. The same applies to any proposed changes to scopes of practice.

Q : Does that mean Building Designers and Residential Designers are now subject to the same standards and requirements of other members?

A: Yes. Having chosen to join the AIBC, registrants are subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the AIBC. The existing Architects Act, as well as the AIBC’s bylaws, rules, policies and procedures (including such things as the Code of Ethics, standards of conduct, and continuing education requirements) now apply to each and every registrant.

Q: Is this not going to take away business that architects have traditionally been responsible for doing?

A: No. These individuals have been practicing independently as long as many architects. However, it does have the desirable effect of bringing these professionals under the authority of the AIBC, where they will be required to offer the same levels of service and meet the same standards while working with a limited license.

Q: What impact has this had on the various scopes of practice?

A: The Architects Act remains unchanged for now. This means the definition of professional practice, scope of practice provisions of the act, and Bulletin 31 (“Buildings requiring the Services of an Architect”) also remain unchanged. The proposed new legislation will extend the area that architects regulate to include everything larger than a duplex residence.

Q: What has the response been from Building Designers and Residential Designers?

A: To date, more than 70 of 90 previous BDIBC members – close to 80 per cent - have transferred to the AIBC, with more applications arriving. Even more encouraging has been the expressions of interest received from previously unaffiliated now that the AIBC offers a regulatory home.

Q: Where do Interior Designers stand in all this?

A: The interior design community, represented by the Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia (IDIBC), has agreed to join the AIBC and is actively engaged with the institute in supporting new legislation as well as strengthening administrative and regulatory ties with the AIBC. Since the IDIBC is a formal society under the Societies Act and has title protection under that legislation, its members will transfer registration to the AIBC when the new legislation comes into effect.

Q: How can AIBC Council simply create specialist designations, as I understand it is now prepared to do?

A: The authority to create specialist designation within the architectural profession is not the result of an AIBC Council initiative but rather the provincial government under recently introduced legislation (Bill 10). While the authority for AIBC council to do so now exists, it can only be implemented through members approved by-law. The introduction of Bill 10 further illustrates the need for the AIBC to take a proactive approach to influencing government legislation.

Q: Has membership had any input into the process and proposal?

A: Discussions within the AIBC first began in 2002, and the evolving legislative proposal has been shared with AIBC membership at various stages over recent years, including information sessions, conference workshops, and ongoing written communications (for a timeline, click here). The current proposal reflects the input and support of members as well as other stakeholders

Q: Where does the provincial government stand on all this?

A: The AIBC proposal has the support of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, our host ministry in the provincial government. The province is eager to see legislation that is less problematic, less confusing, more logical, and better for the public. The government has expressed its desire to bring about changes to the legislation under which architects as well as others in the built design community function. It is in the best interests of AIBC members that the AIBC help shape this change, rather than having it imposed.

Q: What is the projected timeline for the passing of new legislation?

A: It is anticipated the proposed new legislation will move forward as part of the government’s Spring 2010 legislation session, thought it is subject to government prioritization and electoral cycles. The Minister has expressed interest in having new legislation for professional engineers accompany that of architects.

Q: Will members get a final vote on the proposed new act?

A: Rather than a final vote, effort will continue to be made throughout the process to gather input and advice from AIBC members, both through committee representatives, individual submission and open dialogue. Keep in mind that the draft legislation eventually put forth by the AIBC will undoubtedly undergo extensive revision by the provincial government. The reality is, it is not our act; it is the provincial government’s legislation.

Q: Where can members obtain a copy of the proposed new legislation?

A: The most current version, while still subject to change, is available to members and the public here.