Running for Council

Councillors participate in the decision-making that charts the direction taken by the architecture profession. Council must govern the OAA and the profession according to the rules set out by the Architects Act, the Regulation, By-laws, and policies, always keeping the public’s best interest in mind.

The duties of a Council member are set out in Section 7 of the By-laws, and include:

• becoming familiar with the laws and rules that govern the profession;
  
• attending and participating in every Council meeting;
  
• serving on OAA Committees and Task Forces; 
  
• taking an active role in one of the 14 regional Local Architectural Societies; and
  
• performing such other duties as may be agreed upon.
  

Council is an opportunity to share your expertise and help shape the future of the profession. It also allows you to learn about other aspects of the profession, regulation, the Association’s structure, as well as numerous programs and services. Further, participating in Council strengthens self-regulation, ensuring architects govern architects.

There is a Non-Voting Intern Architect Seat on Council, which is for a one-year term, from January 1 to December 31. Those running for this position must be:

• able to participate in Council Meetings (but not vote); 
  
• an active Intern Architect;
  
• in good standing with the OAA; and 
  
• a resident in the Province of Ontario.

The Intern Architect representative is expected to be present and to participate at every meeting of Council. There are typically seven full-day meetings of Council, two full-day Council planning sessions, and two additional full days required for the annual OAA Conference—a total of 11 full days. These are the minimum number of days for which each Councillor is required to be present. There are additional time obligations required to sit on various committees.

Sitting on additional committees is at the Intern Architect’s discretion, except for the Intern Committee with which they would liaise. Most committee meetings are held during business hours at the OAA Headquarters, though the Intern Committee has been meeting downtown Toronto after regular business hours.

The elections take place at the same time and in the same manner as elections of Architects to Council. This seat is elected by every active Intern Architect in good standing with the OAA (no matter where they live) and all OAA Architects eligible to vote in a Council election. 

You will receive the ballot by email. Please review the Election Procedures and the FAQ to ensure you have taken steps to white-list the electronic election provider, preventing these emails from being diverted into spam filters.

There is a Licensed Technologist OAA Seat on Council, which is for a three-year term. Those running for this position must be:

• able to participate in Council Meetings; 
  
• a Licensed Technologist OAA;
  
• in good standing with the OAA; and
• a resident in the Province of Ontario.

The elections take place at the same time and in the same manner as elections of Architects to Council. The seat is elected by every active Licensed Technologist OAA in good standing with the OAA no matter where they live, and all Architects who are eligible to vote in a Council election.

You will receive the ballot by e-mail. Please review the Election Procedures and the FAQ page to ensure you have taken steps to white-list the electronic election provider, preventing these emails from being diverted into spam filters.

There are five seats available for Architects, one seat available for a Licensed Technologist OAA and one Intern Architect Non-Voting Seat available in the forthcoming election.

The members of Council whose terms expire on December 31, 2020 are:

Donald Ardiel                Province of Ontario
Amir Azadeh                  City of Toronto
J. William Birdsell        Province of Ontario
Jeremiah Gammond   Province of Ontario (LTOAA)
Sarah Murray                 Eastern Ontario
David C. Rich                  City of Toronto
Milda Miskinyte            Intern Architect Non-Voting Seat

Being a Councillor is a voluntary position. Only the President and Vice Presidents receive a modest honorarium in recognition of the significantly higher workload of their positions within the Council.

Architects and Licensed Technologist OAA seats are for three-year terms while the Intern Architect Non-Voting Seat is for one year.

Architects or Licensed Technologists OAA are eligible for election to the Council if they:

• are Canadian citizens; 
  
• are residents of Ontario;
  
• have an address of record in the Electoral District that they want to represent; and are members in good standing.

Intern Architects are eligible for election if they are:

• active Intern Architects; 
  
• in good standing with the OAA; and 
  
• residents in the Province of Ontario.

All candidates seeking to run for Council must be nominated by three members of the electoral district in which they are running. You can read more about the nomination process on the Election Procedures page.