As a board of directors, OAA Council is the governing body of the Ontario Association of Architects. Comprising elected members from the profession and appointees from the public, it is guided by the Strategic Plan, and makes policy decisions that influence long-term planning to ensure alignment with the OAA’s regulatory mandate and mission. 

This fall, there will be six seats up for election for three-year terms that begin in January 2026. They include five opportunities for Architects and one for a Licensed Technologist. 

This news item includes important information about the roles of Councillors and how you can participate in this electoral process, both as a candidate and as a voter.  You can learn more on the Council Elections Page.

Council 101

 In October, nominations will open for six seats across four districts:

• Central Ontario (two seats);
• City of Toronto (one seat);
• Western Ontario (one seat); and
• Province of Ontario (one seat for an Architect and one for a limited licence holder). 

To be eligible to run in one of the first three districts, candidates must be an Architect with an address of record in the corresponding area. In November, Architects will then vote within their own “home” electoral district. You can see the electoral district boundaries on the Electoral District Boundaries Page.

For the Province of Ontario district, there are two seats—one for an Architect and another for a limited licence holder (i.e. Licensed Technologist). All OAA members are eligible to run and vote for their respective Province of Ontario seat. 

While elections are grounded on geographic representation across the province, Councillors do not represent a member constituency—rather, they govern on behalf of the public. Members of Council have a fiduciary duty to the Association; they must be able to focus on the big picture and material issues while considering regulatory matters. They need to make decisions without being influenced by external pressure and collaborate effectively with their peers, even when viewpoints differ.

Serving on Council is an excellent opportunity to participate in the privilege and responsibility of self-governance entrusted to the profession. From developing educational requirements and standards of practice to enforcing the Architects Act, being a Councillor means you are helping shape the architectural profession in order to protect the public interest. You can learn more by watching this orientation video from last year on the OAA YouTube channel. 

Finding the Right Candidates

To ensure good governance, it is critical to have a well-rounded, inclusive Council that includes a diversity of voices, opinions, skills, and knowledge. Experience in any of the following areas can be particularly important:

• corporate leadership and strategic alignment;
• governance (including understanding the principle of self-governance, fiduciary duties, and the OAA’s mandate);
• financial literacy, accounting, and investment management; 
• legal issues and risk management; and
• emerging technologies that impact standards of practice.

If you have strength in any of these areas, consider running for Council this fall. If you know someone else who might be ideal, please encourage them to participate.

The Elections Process

The OAA Council elections process occurs using a dedicated online system, with an initial email sent out to all eligible participants on the first Monday of October (i.e. October 6). The nomination period is then open until the fourth Monday of that month (i.e. October 27). As part of the nomination submission process, nominees will be able to provide a text-based candidate statement as well as links to other sources, such as social media or a brief video speaking to issues related to serving on Council. This will be available on the OAA Website after the nomination period. Voters will also be able to ask candidates questions through the website and OAA News.

Voting by OAA members takes place from November 10 to 24, with the OAA Registrar announcing the results on the OAA Website and social media by December 1. The new three-year terms begin on January 1, 2026.

More information is on the OAA Council Elections Page, but if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Office of the Registrar. Otherwise, all eligible participants should watch their inboxes for an email on Monday, October 6. 

Please note: Only holders of a licence or limited licence may vote in the Council elections. The Regulatory Bulletin was also provided to Retired Members, and students and interns on the path to licensure, to keep them informed of the Association’s electoral processes.