Professional regulatory organizations play an essential role in protecting the public interest for Albertans. Recognizing the need to keep the governance of these organizations up to date, Alberta’s government is modernizing the province’s professional regulatory legislation.
Currently, Alberta Advanced Education administers nine pieces of legislation, supporting 28 regulations that govern 22 professional regulatory organizations. If passed, the Professional Governance Act would consolidate and streamline Advanced Education’s professional governance legislation from nine separate acts into one, ensuring all affected professional regulatory organizations are held to the same high standard of practice, including the requirement to protect public interest.
“The Professional Governance Act will serve as an example of what good governance and modern policy can really achieve. This legislation will promote high standards of competence, conduct and ethics, ensuring regulatory organizations have flexibility and improved regulatory tools. The passage of this act will be greatly beneficial for both regulatory organizations and Albertans.”
Under the Professional Governance Act, professional regulatory organizations would have more self-governing authority and control through their bylaws, reducing red tape and freeing up time and resources for them to focus on ensuring their members provide the best possible services to Albertans.
“This bill is a significant opportunity to modernize the legislation that regulates Alberta’s engineers and geoscientists – something APEGA has been focused on for more than a decade. It will make effective changes to our regulatory toolbox while ensuring our century-long mandate remains the same: acting in the best interests of Albertans and public safety.”
“This is landmark legislation, laying the groundwork for providing an environment for best practices in professional regulation and protection of the public interest in professional practice. The ASPB fully supports this legislation and appreciates the diligent and supportive work of Minister Sawhney and her team in the consultation and building of the PGA.”
The Professional Governance Act would enhance fairness, transparency and accountability by implementing a modernized framework for complaints, discipline and appeals. Professional regulatory organizations would also have access to an alternative complaint resolution process and the ombudsman.
“Land surveyors are responsible for protecting the property rights of Albertans by providing certainty on property boundaries that underpins economic growth in our province. The Professional Governance Act will give us greater opportunity and flexibility to ensure land surveyors have the competencies and skills they need in these modern times. We are ready to go.”
Quick facts
- The Professional Governance Act covers professions regulated by Advanced Education, including accountancy, engineering and geoscience, veterinary medicine and architecture, among others.
- Other regulated professions, such as lawyers, teachers and health professionals, are not included in this legislation.