About the Project
Professional governance, or how a profession and its professionals are regulated, is a longstanding topic of interest for planners and PIBC. Enacted in 2018 by the Province of British Columbia, the Professional Governance Act (PGA) allows for the provincial government to mandate that a profession become regulated under the Act, as well as provides a pathway for professions to voluntarily apply to be regulated under it. Several professions in the natural resource and built environment sectors were required to be regulated under this new provincial regulatory framework.
There is currently no pending requirement of the Province of British Columbia for planners to become regulated under the PGA. PIBC has not decided to voluntarily apply to become regulated under the PGA. But given the changing context of professional governance in British Columbia, ongoing interest within the planning profession, and the evolving regulation of planners elsewhere in Canada, the PIBC Board has identified this matter as a strategic priority for engagement with the membership and other stakeholders.
Over the past 15 months, PIBC has been engaged in a research and engagement initiative on the topic of professional governance and the PGA, and the current phase of work has now concluded and been reported to the Board. Please see below for an update on the conclusion of this work.
Board Direction on Phase 1 Outcomes & Recommendations
(March 2026)
At its meeting on March 20, 2026, the PIBC Board received a final report from the RPP Regulation Subcommittee from the now completed Phase 1 Professional Governance and Research Project. The Board approved the following recommendation from the RPP Regulation Subcommittee:
That PIBC will not apply to the Office of Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG) for a designation assessment under the Professional Governance Act (PGA) at this time.
Next Steps
The Board further directed the RPP Regulation Subcommittee report back in September 2026 with a work plan for further ongoing work (Phase 2) that will focus on actively monitoring and engaging on key external factors that may affect the planning profession related to professional governance and regulation, including but not limited to legislative and regulatory changes (e.g. Bill M216 Professional Reliance Act), the future work and activities of the OSPG, and actions of other professional regulators. No additional financial resources are anticipated to be allocated or required for this work.
PIBC will also be communicating an update and summary of the Institute’s direction on these matters to the OSPG to express continued interest with ongoing liaison and information exchange on matters related to best practices in professional governance.
The Board expressed appreciation for the members' engagement and thoughtful participation throughout this project to date, as well as thanks to the volunteer Subcommittee members for all their work.
PIBC will continue to share updates on the Professional Governance Research and Engagement project with members through the PIBC e-News, Planning West magazine and updates on this web page.
Questions? Please e-mail professional-governance@pibc.bc.ca.
Integrated Research and Engagement Work Plan
In November 2024, the PIBC Board endorsed the work plan for the first phase of the Professional Governance Research and Engagement Project. Phase 1 begins in Fall 2024 and will conclude in Summer/Fall 2025. Phase 1 will focus on:
Educating and engaging members and potential members about professional governance and the Professional Governance Act by offering information, resources, and varied opportunities to participate.
Undertaking and presenting research and analysis on the issues, potential opportunities and trade-offs with professional governance considerations
Conveying the Phase 1 engagement and research findings to the PIBC Board to inform its deliberations and to share with the membership.
Research and engagement actions are integrated in order to foster inclusive and informed dialogue amongst members and other stakeholders. The work plan is designed to be adaptable to respond to emerging needs and directions. Research and engagement actions include:
Engagement survey in Fall 2024 to gauge engagement and research needs
Key informant interviews with experts in professional governance, allied professional regulatory bodies, provincial territorial institutes and associations, etc.
Research-based discussion paper analyzing the status quo and potential implications of transitioning to provincial oversight
Online discussion forum to empower members to engage in dialogue and peer learning
Focus groups to engage members and non-members in a more targeted away
Webinars to share information and answer questions
Articles in the Planning West magazine.
Explore the Integrated Research and Engagement Work Plan.
Please stay tuned to PIBC e-News bulletins for updates.
RPP Regulation Subcommittee Chair Update
To ensure a fully inclusive and transparent process, the Chair of the RPP Regulation Subcommittee provides quarterly updates about the status of the project to the PIBC Board, all PIBC committees, task forces, working groups, and Chapter Chairs.
Q1 2025 Chair Update
Q2 2025 Chair Update
Q3 2025 Chair Update
Q4 2025 Chair Update
Engagement Survey #1 Report
Q1 2026 Chair Update
Engagement Survey #2 Report
Resources
Lunch and Learn - Strategic Assessment of Professional Governance (Feb 12, 2026)
Speakers from The Regulator's Practice join us for this special session to discuss key findings from PIBC's Professional Governance Research & Engagement Project and the next round of engagement.
Watch this Lunch & Learn.
Strategic Assessment of Professional Governance of the Planning Profession in BC - Consultant Report (Feb 12, 2026)
This report provides a foundation for informed discussion by the PIBC Board and PIBC members on public-interest considerations, strategic options, and potential risks associated with different approaches to professional governance and public protection. Click here to read this report.
Strategic Assessment of Professional Governance of the Planning Profession in BC - Report Appendices (Feb 12, 2026)
Read the Appendices.
The Planning Profession and the BC Professional Governance Act – PIBC Special Webinar (May 21, 2025)
This webinar provides an overview of PIBC's Professional Governance Research and Engagement Project and ways to get involved. In addition to speakers from PIBC's RPP Regulation Subcommittee, speakers from the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance, Forest Professionals BC, and the BC Society of Landscape Architects shared their strategic perspectives about professional governance.
Watch this webinar.
RPP Regulation Subcommittee Presentation (PDF)
Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance Presentation (PDF)
Forest Professionals BC Presentation (PDF)
BC Society of Landscape Architects Presentation (PDF)
Background Memorandum about the Professional Governance Act (October 17, 2023)
In 2023, PIBC commissioned its legal counsel to undertake an initial, internal review and analysis of the Professional Governance Act (PGA) as it might pertain to PIBC and the planning profession, should PIBC at some point either voluntarily, or at the direction of the Province, become regulated under the Act in the future.
This internal memo was transmitted to PIBC on October 17, 2023 and subsequently received by the Board on December 1, 2023. The memo informed the Board’s decision to undertake a process of research and member engagement on the topic of professional regulation and the PGA, and the ultimate scoping for the Phase 1 Professional Governance and Research Project. The Board has made a copy of this original internal memorandum available as historical background material, for information.
Planning West Articles - Project Updates
'PIBC’s Professional Governance Research and Engagement Project - A Focus on You!' - Planning West (Winter 2026 - February)
This article includes an update on the status of PIBC’s Professional Governance Research and Engagement Project with a summary of the focus group engagement and initial findings.
'PIBC’s Professional Governance Research and Engagement Project - In Full Swing!' - Planning West (Fall 2025)
This article includes an update on the status of PIBC’s Professional Governance Research and Engagement Project and the engagement plans for focus groups.
'Membership Engagement: An Update on PIBC’s Professional Governance Research and Engagement Project' - Planning West (Summer 2025)
This article includes an update on the status of PIBC’s Professional Governance Research and Engagement Project and a summary of the session at the PIBC 2025 Annual Conference - Next Chapter.
'Progress Update on the Professional Governance Research and Engagement Project' – Planning West (Spring 2025)
This article provides a progress update on the Professional Governance Research and Engagement Project with insight summaries from the Engagement Survey.
‘A Licence to Plan or Just Government Oversight?’ – Planning West (Fall 2024)
This article provides the context and motivation for the PIBC Board to undertake engagement about professional governance and also provides an overview of the Professional Governance Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ resource document was created to encourage a common base of understanding about professional governance and the Professional Governance Act. The FAQ resource document will evolve and expand as new information emerges from the research and engagement.
Read the FAQ. *Update September 2025*
Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG)
As per the its website, the OSPG is the centre of provincial expertise for professional governance of regulatory bodies outside the health sector. The Superintendent is the head of the OSPG, and with a focus on public interest, is authorized by the Professional Governance Act to carry out various functions including overseeing the governance of regulatory bodies under the Act, conducting research and promoting best practices, administering the Act including enforcement, and publishing information that is related to professional governance and deemed in the public interest. Learn more about the OSPG.
Engagement with OPSG: Read the letter addressed to Acting Superintendent Kate Haines from PIBC Board President, Emilie K. Adin (August 27, 2024)
