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.
In December 2023, the PIBC Board approved direction to undertake outreach and education about the PGA and possible opportunities and implications for PIBC and the planning profession. The Professional Governance Research and Engagement Project is designed to implement the Board’s directions in a transparent and inclusive manner. The Policy & Public Affairs Committee and RPP Regulation Subcommittee are providing strategic oversight for this project. Other PIBC committees, members, and stakeholder are being engaged as well.
As PIBC embarks on this work, please visit this page for current updates, resources, and ways to get involved. Regular updates will also be shared with members via PIBC e-News bulletins.
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.
Engagement
Engagement Survey #1. Let us know what you think. Your input will help inform the Board’s approach to engaging effectively with members and other stakeholders about professional governance considerations for PIBC and the planning profession in British Columbia. You will be automatically entered into a random draw for a chance to win one of four complimentary registrations to the 2025 PIBC Annual Conference in Vancouver. The survey closes on January 29, 2025.
Click here to take the survey.
Resources
‘A Licence to Plan or Just Government Oversight?’ – Planning West Article
The Fall 2024 issue of Planning West includes an article that provides the context and motivation for the PIBC Board to undertake engagement about professional governance. The article also gives an overview of the Professional Governance Act.
Read the article.
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.
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)
