Looking Ahead

A new year inspires many to think about what we resolve to do better or different in the months ahead. Although 2020 was certainly full of hardship and struggle, the crisis also showed us that we are resilient. Some can even see the shimmer of a silver lining coming out of the pandemic—a better environment, the ability to adapt and the opportunity for innovation, a renewed focus on work-life balance, and the strength of the human spirit.

The RAIC is resolved to continue to meet the immediate needs of our members, listening and responding to issues as they emerge, continuing to provide services that you can depend on, and advancing in the pursuit to build a resilient organization.

Wishing you a safe, healthy, and happy start to 2021.

Promoting Equity and Justice

The RAIC continues to actively develop an organizational action plan for Promoting Equity and Justice. At this time, the Action Plan has three main themes-

1] Examining Existing Organizational Structures

2] Educating Ourselves

3] Educating Others

Falling out of the themes are specific actions and we are working to identify short, medium, long term goals, priority areas, and implementation strategies.

• The plan is a living and evolving document, constantly informed through engagement with stakeholders and members. As a snapshot, here a few of the activities the RAIC is currently engaged in or developing:
• Active and ongoing consultations with key stakeholders
• An ongoing environmental scan
• The organization-wide implementation of a voluntary self-identification question to support information gathering about marginalized populations; specifically collecting data on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identification, disability status, and age
• Recruiting volunteer membership to a Promoting Equity and Justice Advisory Committee to act as subject matter resource experts to the RAIC operational team (Apply before January 31, 2021)
• An updated statement on equity and justice
• The reaffirmation of our commitment to an inclusive and diverse workplace 
• Planning to incorporate education for staff and volunteers on the history—and the continuation—of racism and discrimination in Canada 
• The establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation task force
• Incorporating indigenous awareness education for staff and volunteers
• Building cultural competency knowledge among staff
• Working to incorporate a diversity and race equity lenses in the development and implementation of programs, policies, and services
• Implement the use of gender-neutral language to increase accuracy, respect and consistency with values of equality
• Increase accessibility for virtual events

These are a just a few examples of what the RAIC is currently engaged in and we will continue to build on these actions. We always welcome your feedback on what you think the RAIC can further do in taking steps to promote equity and justice.

Feel free to reach out to us directly info@raic.org.

• The Practice Support Committee will be considering the issue of long-term care home design and health in the coming months. Tell us what you think - join the conversation with the Director of Practice on RAIC Connects

• In collaboration with the Black Architects and Interior Designers Association (BAIDA), the RAIC hosted a conversation on lived experiences in architecture. The event brought together BAIDA Executive Committee members Samuel Oboh, FRAIC, Anne-Marie Armstrong, Shane Laptiste, MRAIC, and Farida Abu-Bakare. Click here for media coverage of the event.

• RAIC President John Brown sent a letter to the Prime Minister and several Ministers in response to the release of Canada’s strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy advocating for the role of architects in the work towards sustainable buildings, communities, and cities and requesting a voice on Canada’s new Net-Zero Advisory Body

• The RAIC joined CaGBC and other stakeholders to support Canada’s green recovery:

Presented by: The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the U.S. Embassy in Canada 

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021 

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET  

Free for Members

In celebration of the first anniversary of the Accessible Canada Act and the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the RAIC and the U.S. Embassy are coming together to present a one-hour discussion on the similarities, differences, challenges, and opportunities that these two national acts pose for architects, and those they are designing for.  Canadian architect Annie Boivin and American architect Karen L. Braitmayer will present their experiences and insights on designing functional, accessible, barrier-free environments that are inclusive for all users. Host Thea Kurdi will also address the landmark legislation in both countries, the development of accessibilities codes, and the implications for the design and building industries. A moderated Q+A session will explore the similarities and differences that these two national approaches pose to accessible design.  

There’s a new way for RAIC members to connect with each other and join the conversation! Launched this past October, RAIC Connects is a community-based, online venue for members to start discussions, share resources, and find events on topics and matters that affect them and the profession alike. The RAIC Member Community is a place to ask questions, get feedback, and share information in real-time with hundreds of other members.

Some of the discussions so far include the architectural licensing process in Canada, the adaptive reuse of Calgary's Castell Building, collaborating remotely on Revit, and, of course, getting to know everyone a little better through the ‘Introduce Yourself' thread.

Topic-specific communities, including the Climate Action and Emerging Practitioners communities, are spaces to meet like-minded members, network, and share information and ideas. Connects is a valuable tool that allows you to search for and message other members in ways not possible before.

Below are a few simple steps you can take to quickly get acquainted with this new platform.

1. Sign in. Select SIGN IN at the top right of the home page. For your first sign in, this button will redirect you to the RAIC website to enter your member username and password. Subsequent sign-ins will be automatic if you are already signed into the RAIC website.

2. Set your messaging preferences. To change your messaging preferences or opt-out of receiving emails, visit your Community Notifications page.

3. Update your profile. Simply enter your information on your Profile Page. Check out our FAQ page for additional help on setting up your profile.

4. Find other members. Use Find Member to search for other RAIC members and send them a “Contact Request”. Search for someone, then click the “Add as Contact” link next to their name in the search results.

5. Start a discussion. If you have a member or industry-related question you would like to ask your peers, post your discussion in the RAIC Member community and watch the responses come in. You can also use the “Post Message” link you’ll find in the discussion emails that you receive from RAIC Connects.

You can learn more about RAIC Connects here. If you have questions or suggestions for this new platform, please email connects@raic.org or complete the RAIC Connects contact form.

We are happy to be able to provide this service to our members and we hope to connect with you soon!

Over the past several months, the organization has been actively developing a framework for a Promoting Equity and Justice Action Plan. The focus of the advisory committee is to support the development and implementation of the RAIC Promoting Equity and Justice Action Plan.

Deadline: January 31, 2021 

The RAIC is calling for volunteers to join this new advisory committee to support the RAIC Continuing Education program. If you are interested, complete an application before January 15, 2021. The key responsibility of the RAIC ConEd-AC is to serve as an advisory committee to the RAIC regarding the goals, objectives, and content of the continuing education program.

Deadline: January 15, 2021

The RAIC is seeking one volunteer to join CORE, a committee of the board. The purpose of the Committee is to support the profession’s collective capacity, collaborative agency and ability to respond to complex systemic challenges, in a way that is inclusive, inspiring, and equitably enabling; so that we can collectively help create a world that nurtures quality of life and empowers people and place to thrive. Learn more about CORE here.

Deadline: January 15, 2021

The Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) is the national body that creates and manages construction contracts, guides and documentation. It is comprised of the key national stakeholders of Canada’s construction industry. 

A volunteer position is open on the CCDC panel for an RAIC representative from Quebec. The candidate must be conversant in construction contracts and possess ample experience in the design-construction industry to understand the nuances of client-contractor and client-architect relationships. The candidate should be familiar with the Civil Code as it applies to construction contracts, payment, lien rights, and related legislation. 

CCDC Documents are produced in both official languages.  The Committee operates in English.  This RAIC appointee is required to function in both French and English.    

The volunteer position requires travel to different Canadian cities approximately 6 times a year with expenses covered by Canadian Construction Association. Terms of Reference for the position will provided on request.

Wellness Together Canada was funded by the Government of Canada in response to the unprecedented rise in mental distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People are being challenged like never before due to isolation, physical health concerns, substance use concerns, financial and employment uncertainty, and the emotional dialogue around racial equality. Wellness Together Canada is a resource to support everybody on that journey. Learn more.

Building Mental Health into Operations During a Pandemic: Guidelines to Support Employers through COVID-19 (Mental Health Commission of Canada). Learn more. 

Return to the Workplace: A psychological toolkit for heading back to work. Learn more.

6 Tips to Respond to Employee Anxiety about COVID-19. Learn more.

Why Working from Home is So Exhausting and How to Reinvigorate. Learn more.

Zoom Exhaustion is Real. Here Are Six Ways to Find Balance and Stay Connected. Learn more.

Working from Home During COVID, With and Without Children. Learn more.

How to Cope with Social Distancing and Working from Home. Learn more.

Resource Hub: Mental Health and Wellness during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Mental Health Commission of Canada). Learn more.

The RAIC is committed to equity and inclusion and encourages anyone interested in the volunteer positions to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability or age.