On November 24, the year’s final Council meeting, appreciation was extended to the departing Councillors—Andy Thomson, VP Regulatory Paul Hastings, and Pearl Chan (Intern Architect)—whose terms have concluded.

The meeting included various updates from Councillors, as well as appointments to several OAA Committees for the new year. There were also discussions with respect to the OAA’s response to Bill 23 (More Homes Built Faster Act) and possible next steps with respect to obtaining exemption from requirements related to Canadian experience from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLTSD) via the Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC). Council also approved the OAA’s endorsement of the updated National Competency Standard for the Architectural Profession in Canada.

 Recognition of Life Members and Architects of Long Standing

All those who have been with the OAA for at least 50 years are recognized as Members of Long Standing, presented with a certificate at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)—in this case, scheduled for May 2023 as a virtual event. The following members were approved by Council for this honour:

- Robert T. Grossmann (architect since January 25, 1972);

- John Hackett (architect since January 25, 1972);

- Wayne Murray (architect since January 25, 1972);

- Robert J. Woodman (architect since June 27, 1972);

- Stephen Bernatt (architect since November 7, 1972);

- Stephen Propst (architect since November 7, 1972);

- Salomon Wassermuhl (architect since December 18, 1972); and

- Mykola Wasylko (architect since December 18, 1972).

You can see profiles of some recent Long Standing Members on the OAA’s blOAAg.

As well, Council appointed several more individuals to Life Membership, effective January 1, 2023.

K–12 Education Event

Council approved the OAA hosting a “Big Think” roundtable early next year, focused on architectural education in Ontario for kindergarten to Grade 12.

In May 2021, Vice President Education Natasha Krickhan presented a draft concept of Architecture Education for Students: An Educator’s Guide To Teaching Architectural Concepts, initially intended for the Ministry of Education Learn@home portal. To further develop this guide, a virtual or hybrid “consortium” event, including numerous stakeholders within the architecture profession and beyond, is now being planned for later this winter. This roundtable session is aiming to include representatives of government (such as the Ministry of Education), various district school boards across Ontario, Indigenous communities, Local Architectural Societies, and other organizations working on initiatives pertaining to K–12 architectural education.

Keynote Speaker for 2023

The 2023 OAA Conference takes place in Sudbury from June 21 to 23, 2023. As part of its "Designing for Dignity” theme, this in-person event will explore how the architecture profession can better accommodate human needs by listening to local communities. It will examine the imperative of respecting the land and planning for several generations... while also considering the need for safe housing, healthy spaces, and inspiring projects here and now.

As has become the norm over the last few years, a special virtual-only keynote speaker event will take place a few months prior to the event as a means to raise awareness about the “Dignity” theme as well as to launch registration. The goal was to select someone who could speak to the idea of “Designing for Dignity” from both a personal and high-level viewpoint and perspective.

The Communications Committee found consensus in putting forth motivational speaker, disability advocate, and author Spencer West as its choice for Council’s consideration. From his speaker bureau profile:

The life of visionary and activist Spencer West has been marked by both obstacles and triumph. After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five, he entered a world that might have easily defeated him. Instead, he tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate in a world set against those with disabilities. His many accomplishments, including summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, and the lessons learned along the way, led him to discover the techniques business leaders, professionals, educators, and young people can use to redefine possible in their own lives and careers. He speaks about overcoming adversity and uses social media to advocate for the disability justice movement and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

More information on the keynote, scheduled for April 18, and how to attend via Zoom will be shared in the new year.

Architectural Policy for Canada

Council approved several recommendations related to the Rise for Architecture project, which has a goal of “empower[ing] the building sectors, educators, and governments to create inclusive, sustainable, and inspiring communities for all Canadians.” The OAA, along with other members of the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC), in collaboration with members of the Canadian Council of University Schools of Architecture (CCUSA) and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), are leading a nation-wide discussion about how architecture can help create a better quality of life for all people across Canada.