Update: Consensual Resolution Amendments to Architects Act

Earlier this month, the B.C. Legislature concluded second reading of Bill 18: The Advanced Education Statutes Amendment Act, proposed legislation introduced by Minister of Advanced Education Naomi Yamamoto that, if passed, would enshrine consensual resolution as an option to disciplinary inquiries for resolving professional conduct matters. The draft bill now proceeds to Committee of the Whole before the third and final reading stage. As previously noted, the AIBC has been seeking legislative amendments to authorize consensual resolution since the autumn of 2009, when a B.C. Court of Appeal decision involving the professional engineers led AIBC Council to put the institute’s successful consensual resolution process on hold pending statutory reform. Since that time, all charges of unprofessional conduct have been heard at formal disciplinary inquiries as the only statutory mechanism available. If enacted, the amendments would require AIBC members to pass bylaws relating to consensual resolution practices and procedures. Any related questions can be directed to Director of Professional Conduct and Illegal Practice Thom Lutes at tlutes@aibc.ca.