FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, August 29, 2025 – The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) today reported substantial progress on its enhanced advocacy strategy, nearly nine months into implementing its 2025-2027 Strategic Plan to position architects as critical actors in addressing Canada's most pressing challenges.
"Architecture in Canada is not just at a crossroads, it is at the centre of the most urgent national challenges of our time," said Jonathan Bisson, RAIC President. "Our problems at this stage aren't just a matter of convenience or optics, but of necessity."
Since launching its strategic plan in early 2025, the RAIC has demonstrated concrete progress as Canada continues to face a significant housing shortfall, deteriorating infrastructure, and growing climate risks that demand architectural solutions grounded in evidence, creativity, and responsibility.
Importantly, the RAIC’s advocacy extends beyond its membership to represent and support the entire architectural profession in Canada, whether individuals are members or not, because the challenges facing housing, climate, and community well-being require a unified, national voice.
Strategic Plan Progress Update
Nine months into its 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, the organization has concrete actions underway in the following advocacy fronts:
Housing and Affordability: Advancing procurement reform and qualifications-based selection to ensure quality and accountability in public projects
Climate Leadership: Implementing a Climate Action Plan to accelerate the transition to a regenerative, equitable, and low-carbon future across the built environment
Indigenous Reconciliation: Strengthening the work of the RAIC Indigenous Task Force and Truth and Reconciliation Task Force to ensure architecture supports equity and self-determination
Public Accountability: Developing tools such as the RFP review process, construction cost calculator, and a renewed Canadian Architectural Practices Benchmark Report to strengthen practice and transparency
National Vision: Pursuing an architectural policy for Canada to establish a coordinated framework for the built environment at the federal level
"We are continuing to formalize regular meetings with senior federal officials on housing, climate, and procurement while developing clear advocacy briefs to empower both architects and the public," said Mike Brennan, RAIC Chief Executive Officer. "Nearly nine months into our strategic plan, these initiatives are building the momentum needed for transformational change."
To further strengthen our advocacy impact, the RAIC is engaging specialized consultants in government and public relations to ensure the profession’s voice is both heard and influential at the national level.
The RAIC emphasizes that architecture is inherently political because it shapes the social, economic, and environmental conditions in which Canadians live. The organization is positioning architects at the forefront of housing solutions, climate action, and community resilience. In doing so, the RAIC recognizes its responsibility to serve as a national voice for all architects in Canada, for RAIC members and non-members alike, ensuring that the profession is heard and understood at the highest levels of government and society.
About RAIC
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is a not-for-profit, national organization dedicated to representing architects and architecture since 1907. The RAIC is the only national voice for excellence in the built environment in Canada focused on providing Canada’s architectural community with the tools, resources, and education to elevate their practice. The RAIC is committed to showcasing how design enhances quality of life, while advocating for important issues of society through responsible architecture. The RAIC’s mission is to build a better world for all by empowering a strong culture of design excellence in Canada. Through our work, the organization's vision is to establish Canada as a global leader in design and architecture. The RAIC’s national office is based in Ottawa with a growing federated chapter model. Current chapters and networks are based in British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.
Media Contact: