The RAIC continues to work on several fronts to ensure that architects and architecture are represented during this pandemic.  

• We continue to advocate with the federal Government—most recently to Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade—by submitting policy ideas on commercial rent and evictions, supporting costs related to compliance with public health direction, support for vulnerable communities and distressed community retail, business resuscitation, leveraging powers of procurement, investment in infrastructure, digital transformation, and extension of eligibility times for all federal emergency programs. 
  
  
• We are an active member of a national construction industry roundtable led by senior government officials with Public Services and Procurement Canada, Infrastructure Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada. 
  
  
• We are members of Global CEO and Global Presidents groups on COVID-19, engaging regularly with the USA, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Poland. 
  
  
• We are an invited steering committee member in Bring Back Main Street—a coast-to-coast, multi-stakeholder research and advocacy initiative about finding the best solutions to ensure Canadian main streets recover from COVID-19 and emerge from the crisis more resilient than ever. 
  
  
• We are developing a design challenge to produce a free, open access main street design playbook, in partnership with the Canadian Urban Institute. 

In a follow-up to the virtual Town Hall, the RAIC is planning to host virtual small business forum(s). The deadline to sign up is tomorrow May 22.

Discussion topic ideas include but are not limited to: 

• Shovel-ready projects 
• Procurement 
• Keeping people and workplaces safe 
• Business strategy post-pandemic 
• Overhead cost management 
• Quality-based selection 
• Fees versus value 

RSVP is required to participate. (Member-only event) 

All webinars are free to access for members. 

NEW! COVID-19: FAQ Practice Questions

In response to member practice-related queries during the COVID-19 pandemic, the RAIC has brought together a panel to answer frequently asked questions. Moderated by Past-President, Michael J. Cox, this webinar features panellists Louis-Pierre Grégoire (Partner, Gowling WLG), Craig J. Stehr (Partner, Gowling WLG) and Don Ardiel, MRAIC, Director of Practice Support, RAIC). Watch this new webinar now. 

AVAILABLE SOON: Coping with COVID-19
Are you struggling to cope with COVID-19? With the rapidly changing environment and the strains caused by the pandemic, join Anxiety Canada’s Registered Clinical Counsellor Mark Antczak to talk about why anxiety is so prevalent in everyone’s life, learn strategies and tools from evidence-based research to reduce our anxiety, and how to use the Mindshift app—developed by Anxiety Canada—to help you and your loved ones in managing our overwhelmed brains. 

WATCH HERE: Financial Management during COVID-19
The full impact of COVID-19 on the architecture profession is unknown, and no one can say what the future holds. But by planning, responding promptly, making the right immediate decisions, and thinking long-term, you and your firm will be better prepared for whatever comes next. This is the time to protect your financial position and make financial management a priority. Presented by Basima Roshan, CPA, MBA. 

AVAILABLE SOON: Everyday Mindfulness for Architects
In this session, you will find out what mindfulness is, and how it can help you to manage some of the stresses in your life. You will also be introduced to some of the research supporting mindfulness. The instructor will guide you through some short mindfulness practices that you can use in daily life, including guided meditations, an eating meditation, and mindfulness tools to help manage challenging emotions and thoughts. Presented by Tom Heah, a registered occupational therapist.