On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the Association’s governing board of directors, OAA Council, met at the Toronto headquarters, with some Councillors and other attendees joining virtually through Zoom. It marked the last meeting for long-time member, Elaine Mintz, a Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) appointee since 2007. (Elaine's contributions will be celebrated later this year.) The meeting included various updates from staff, the chairs of OAA Committees, and Association executive, as well as discussions on activities and initiatives in 2027, including the forthcoming SHIFT Challenge, Local Architectural Society events, the new Continuing Education (ConEd) cycle, and engagement of a strategic planning consultant.

The full agenda, minutes, and meeting package for this and past meetings can be found on the OAA Website.

Including Climate Action in the New ConEd Learning Cycle

In 2022, Council first approved a requirement for a content specific area of mandatory learning within the OAA’s Continuing Education Program for that cycle. Members became responsible for gaining two hours of Structured Learning focused on addressing the climate crisis, sustainability, and/or energy conservation. The Climate Action requirement was also part of the 2024–2026 cycle, which ends on June 30, 2026.

Council agreed to maintain this prerequisite for the 2026–2028 cycle as well, supporting public confidence that members of the architectural profession remain informed about emerging climate-related responsibilities and best practices relevant to their practice. Climate action continues to be a strategic priority for the OAA and will continue to be a lens through which the Association views its work to ensure it aligns with the Strategic Plan.

Conference and Proposed Programming for 2027

Previously, Council had agreed to pause Conference for 2027 and instead explore other opportunities to connect with members in the context of four key areas usually covered by the annual event. These were defined as:

• celebration;
• in-person networking;
• education and training; and
• raising appreciation of architecture.

Prior to the Council meeting, the Local Architectural Society Chairs and Councillor liaisons participated in discussions to determine whether any of these objectives could be filled at the regional level by the Societies. As well, the OAA’s Communications & Public Education Committee (CPEC) was asked to consider how the SHIFT Challenge awards program could be celebrated outside of the usual Conference format. (See later in this article for more.)

This allowed an alternate “menu” of potential programming options to take shape for next year, including initiatives that a Society could adapt to facilitate regionally. Council approved this high-level plan in principle, with further details to be developed in the coming months in consultation with local society chairs.

Council also reviewed feedback from the 2026 Conference, Collaboration Powering Innovation, which took place throughout Waterloo Region from May 13 to 15 and brought together more than 700 attendees. The event was widely recognized as a success, with strong participation, robust sponsorship, and positive commentary. As always, OAA staff reviewed the detailed feedback to identify areas of improvement for future conferences.

On that note, Council also explored possible locations for the 2028 Conference, with more conversation to come later this year.

SHIFT Theme for 2027

The SHIFT Architecture Challenge is an aspirational, biennial awards program created to highlight the distinct contribution that the architecture profession and architectural thinking bring to addressing key societal issues. It invites OAA members (as well as those on the path to licensure) and their collaborative teams to respond to an identified area of concern using their skills and insights. The program runs biennially, having begun in 2019.

As part of their annual work plan, CPEC is tasked with developing the theme for next year’s SHIFT Challenge. The Committee proposed the following, which was approved by Council.

SHIFT2027, The Streets Challenge

The built environment is an integral part of human life. The spaces we inhabit can shape our moods, our sense of safety, our health, and our collective well-being. Equally essential to this vital network of spaces are the connections—the system of pathways between places that allow us to get where we want to go.

These “streets”—whether urban main streets, pedestrian paths, suburban arteries, rural roads, or more figurative avenues—are more than liminal spaces or mere backdrops as we go from here to there. The streets can be different things to different people, with formal and informal uses, all overlapping and intersecting in communities across Ontario and beyond. Streets can be places of celebration and gathering, but they can also be places of hardship and isolation. And design is central to how we experience our streets.

SHIFT 2027, The Streets Challenge, invites those in the profession to bring their unique design sensibilities to envision Ontario streets that are inclusive, versatile, sustainable, safe, welcoming, and enjoyable places to be for everyone, including the most vulnerable members of our communities.

From dense cities to quiet towns, how can streets be adaptable to meet the needs of today, while considering the needs of future generations? What does it mean to design for a truly great street?

More information on the deadlines for SHIFT, as well as plans to highlight the winning selections via publications and in-person events, will be shared in the months to come.

Engaging a Strategic Planning Consultant

At a previous meeting, Council directed the Governance Committee to proceed with the preparation of a draft RFP for a consultant to facilitate the OAA’s next strategic plan, as well as a budget estimate. Council has approved the RFP, which follows the previous version as a guideline for scope, timelines, and costs.

The Executive Committee will conduct the selection process in cooperation with Executive Director Kristi Doyle. A final recommendation would be presented to Council at the September meeting for approval. Work is anticipated to begin in December and focus on updating the existing five-year Strategic Plan, set to end with 2027.

Next Council Meeting
The next Council meeting will take place at the OAA Headquarters on Thursday, September 17. Those interested in attending the open session virtually can contact the Association’s Tina Carfa to learn more.