Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) senior vice president, Lara McKendrick, has written an open letter to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow to express concerns and provide clarification in light of a recent announcement from the City regarding the expansion of its Certified Plans Program.

The letter begins by stating that the OAA has heard from numerous architects, including those who practise in Toronto, who have shared their worry about Chow’s comments regarding steps the City is taking to reduce design costs and speed up building permit approvals.

“We are amid a housing affordability crisis that requires practical and immediate solutions, but the OAA was quite confused and surprised by your remarks. They seem to suggest new changes to the law concerning when an Architect is required for a project, and they unfairly place blame on our profession for delays and cost increases,” reads the letter.

The letter goes on to state that neither of these items are true and that the Mayor’s statement that the City’s pre-approved laneway house designs “eliminate the need to hire an architect” create confusion for the public.

The OAA notes that under the provincial Architects Act, an architect has generally never been required for work involving laneway or garden suites. “When undertaking such projects, a homeowner can retain a variety of design professionals to obtain a building permit, whether an OAA member like an Architect or Licensed Technologist or a member of the public who holds a BCIN,” reads the letter.