The Institute is guided by the Professional Governance Act (PGA), Bylaws, the Governance Manual, and other agreements including the Agreement on Internal Trade, the Montreal Accord and the New West Partnership.
Professional Governance Act (2018) - effective February 5, 2021.
The Professional Governance Act (the PGA), of which received Royal Assent in 2018, provides a new regulatory framework for professions in BC. The Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG) was established under the Ministry of the Attorney General in June 2019. The OSPG strengthens government oversight while being independent from the ministries that regulate sectors in which professionals practice. It provides the impartiality needed to create an effective and trusted framework for professional governance.
The PGA brings regulatory bodies under one act and provides a consistent governance framework for their professions that incorporates best practices of professional governance. The OSPG is responsible for administering the PGA and for ensuring that best practices for professional governance are implemented.
Professional Governance Act [SBC 2018] CHAPTER 47
Office of the Superintendant of Professional Governance (OSPG) Website
The Agrologists Act (2003) was repealed on February 5, 2021
The Agrologists Act provided a legislative framework that outlined the parameters of the profession and the responsibilities of professionals and the regulatory body. BCIA is recognized as being a self-regulating profession and is a privilege granted by government through legislation. There are exclusive title rights, and in some cases, the exclusive right to practice within the profession. The composition of Council for the Institute and the terms of the councillors are stated.
BCIA Bylaws - effective February 5, 2021
The Bylaws guide BCIA forward as the profession of agrology upholds its protection of the public interest and assists in the responsible development of British Columbia’s natural resources and environmental sectors under the Professional Governance Act.
BCIA Bylaws with Schedules included
Governance Manual - February 2021 Version
- Section 1 - History of the BCIA
- Section 2 - Authority, Vision, Mission, Mandate and the Strategic Plan
- Section 3 - Governance/Management Philosophy and Conflict of Interest Policy
- Section 4 - Council Policies
- Section 5 - Committee Policies
- Section 6 - Committee Terms of Reference (Draft Nov 2020) Nomination Committee TOR (Feb 2018)
- Section 7 - Professional Governance Act (PGA), Bylaws with Schedules A, B & C
- Section 8 - Contact Lists: Council; Standing Committees (names only); BCIA Staff
- Section 9 - Travel and Other Expenses Guidelines and Travel Allowance Policy
- Section 10 - BCIA Council Meeting Minutes (access only to BCIA Registrants)
- Section 11 - BCIA 2019-2023 Strategic Plan; Diagram version here
Agreements
The Institute has committed to other agreements, including: