FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) welcomes informed public discussion regarding architecture, design competitions, and public projects. Robust debate strengthens both our profession and the public interest.
Public discussion regarding the international design competition undertaken for the redevelopment of the 200 Block of Banff Avenue and the future Banff Visitor Centre has raised questions about aspects of the competition process and governance structure.
Because public confidence in design competitions is important, the RAIC believes it is helpful to provide additional context regarding its role and the competition process.
The RAIC Was Not Retained to Provide Architectural Design Services
The RAIC was not retained to design a building, prepare architectural drawings, or provide architectural services associated with the development of the Banff Visitor Centre.
The RAIC was retained by Parks Canada to provide Competition Advisory Services, including professional advisory services, competition administration, competition management, jury support, independent oversight, and related technical and administrative services.
The governing contract explicitly states that the services provided by the RAIC do not constitute architectural services as defined under applicable professional legislation.
The successful design team was selected through an independent competition process. The RAIC did not act as architect, designer, consultant, or decision-maker regarding the design itself.
The Jury Was Independent
A central objective of the competition was to ensure that design submissions were evaluated by an independent jury composed of experienced professionals and subject matter experts.
The jury reviewed submissions, deliberated independently, and reached a unanimous recommendation regarding the preferred design concept.
The RAIC’s responsibility was to support the integrity of that process by ensuring fairness, consistency, anonymity, transparency, and adherence to established competition procedures.
The RAIC’s role was to support and administer the competition process while preserving the independence of the jury’s deliberations.
Jury Recommendation and Owner Authority Are Not Contradictory Concepts
Questions have been raised regarding the relationship between the jury’s recommendation and Parks Canada’s retained authority as project owner.
This distinction reflects the different responsibilities that exist within many public-sector design competitions, and is neither unusual nor controversial.
In public-sector projects, design competition juries are commonly tasked with evaluating submissions and making recommendations based on professional expertise and established competition criteria. At the same time, public agencies, retain legal responsibility and accountability for procurement, contracting, public expenditures, governance obligations, Indigenous consultation requirements, environmental responsibilities, accessibility commitments, operational considerations, and ultimate project implementation.
These responsibilities are different and complementary.
The existence of owner authority does not diminish the independence of a jury, nor does it invalidate the jury’s recommendation.
The Banff competition was structured to recognize both realities.
Transparency Was Built into the Process
From the outset, the competition was designed to incorporate multiple layers of review and engagement.
The process included:
- Independent jury review
- Technical evaluation and expert advice
- Public engagement opportunities
- Indigenous participation and feedback
- Competition rules and procedures consistent with accepted professional standards
- Public announcement of results and jury findings.
The objective was to create a process that was fair, transparent, accessible, and accountable to both participants and the public.
Understanding the Contract Value
Questions have been raised regarding the value of the contract awarded to the RAIC.
It is important to understand what that figure represents.
The contract value reflected a maximum multi-year authorization covering a broad range of services and resources required to administer and support an international design competition. These included professional advisors, jury members, technical experts, communications support, project management, administration, competition coordination, travel, reimbursable expenses, and related professional services.
The contract was not a design fee and did not represent compensation to the RAIC for architectural services.
As with all federal contracts, expenditures were subject to established government procurement, reporting, auditing, and accountability requirements.
The Importance of Design Competitions
The RAIC has long supported design competitions as a means of advancing design excellence, encouraging innovation, fostering public engagement, and ensuring that important civic projects benefit from a diversity of ideas and perspectives.
Design competitions are not simply about selecting a winning proposal. They provide a structured, transparent, and merit-based framework through which ideas can be evaluated in the public interest. They are about creating a transparent and credible process through which the best ideas can emerge.
That principle guided the Banff competition.
Supporting Public Understanding
Design competitions play an important role in shaping public projects and the built environment. They also involve distinct responsibilities for juries, project owners, advisors, technical experts, and participating design teams.
The RAIC believes that continued public understanding of these processes contributes to confidence in decision-making, transparency, and design excellence. As Canada’s national architectural Institute, the RAIC remains committed to sharing information and supporting informed dialogue about how design competitions serve the public interest.
Looking Forward
The RAIC remains proud of its role in supporting Parks Canada through the administration of this competition and appreciates the work of the professional advisors, jurors, technical experts, Indigenous participants, public contributors, Parks Canada staff, and design teams who contributed to the process.
Reasonable people may hold different views regarding architectural outcomes, procurement approaches, or public policy priorities.
Public discussion is strongest when it is grounded in complete information and an accurate understanding of roles, responsibilities, and governance structures.
The RAIC remains committed to transparency, professional integrity, and design excellence in service of Canada’s architectural community and the public interest.
Mike Brennan, Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan Bisson, FIRAC, President
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada