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The following is a joint communication between the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) and the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA).
Dear ,
ARIDO and the OAA continue to work in partnership toward the regulation of interior design through the
Architects Act under the direction of our Joint Task Force. This work is based on the model of direct regulation, which received the approval of both organizations in June 2018.
Earlier this spring, a comprehensive Briefing Package was provided to the office of the Attorney General, the Minister responsible for the
Architects Act, in order to provide an update on the project and the progress over the past 18 months. The briefing also provided a summary of the intent of the model for direct regulation, including governance details, scope of practice of interior design, elements of stakeholder consultation as well as a proposal for transition to the regulation of interior design.
Over the past two months, a meeting with the Attorney General and ministry staff had been anticipated. With last weeks cabinet shuffle, the Task Force is meeting this week to consider next steps as it will be working to bring the new Attorney General, the Honourable Douglas R. Downey, up to speed quickly. Our ongoing conversations with existing Ministry staff continue. The intent is for a meeting with the new Minister to occur shortly and, in doing so, obtain feedback on the model and whether or not its intent meets government expectations. Once feedback is obtained by the Attorney General, ARIDO and the OAA will share a copy of the package with our respective memberships.
Recently, ARIDO and the OAA have also worked with representatives of Pro-Demnity Insurance Company toward the establishment of a program of professional liability insurance that will be designed specifically for interior designers licensed under the new model of regulation. A survey of existing ARIDO members is currently being conducted in order to determine how best to protect the public interest and serve the profession.
ARIDO and the OAA will be reaching out to specific stakeholder groups in the near future to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the future state as it pertains to the regulation of interior design amongst allied industries and related fields. One of the specific elements of discussion will focus on the requirements for licensure for those that are not currently ARIDO members, as well as firm ownership requirements for those wishing to offer services to the public.
The intent of the model as presented to both organizations in June 2018 has not changed. The Joint ARIDO/OAA Task Force is continuing to refine and develop the details of the model, including the necessary legislative changes, operational matters, the financial model, communications and awareness.
ARIDO / OAA Joint Task Force
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