Advocacy

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The Professional Governance Act (PGA) defines a “Professional Organization” as “a corporation that acts as an advocate for persons who practice a profession and is not a professional regulator.”

TPBCA is working to make sure there is no misunderstanding about TPBCA's mandate and its role, which is NOT the role of a professional regulator.  We also wish to be clear that the Professional Governance Act does not in any way regulate professional organizations such as TPBCA or lend authority to advocacy activities conducted by professional organizations.

The TPBCA Board is also clear that TPBCA will respect the role of Professional Regulators in their advocacy and will, to the extent appropriate and possible, strive to consult with Professional Regulators and others in the formulation of its advocacy initiatives. 

The TPBCA Board is currently developing an Advocacy Policy that will frame the work of TPBCA as it serves to advocate for Technology Professionals. It is anticipated that the Policy will be finalized by mid 2024.

It is still early days in the life of TPBCA and hence not possible to forecast what lies ahead on specific matters in which some form of advocacy might be embraced by TPBCA.  It is anticipated that both a Professional Regulator and TPBCA may be a common interest on certain matters, in which case TPBCA will consider whether it is appropriate and helpful, in the public interest, for TPBCA to engage as an advocate for Technology Professionals. 

The Office of the Superintendent of Professional Regulation (OSPG) has established a Guide for professional regulators. The Guide cites the PGA on advocacy:

“A regulatory body may only act in an advocacy role in accordance with this act and in accordance with rules, conditions or limits prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. (S22(3)

Pursuant to the PGA the OSPG has framed for professional regulators the OSPG Guidance: Advocacy Activities Evaluation Framework.:

https://professionalgovernancebc.ca/app/uploads/sites/498/2023/07/Advocacy-Framework-Web-20230728.pdf

Professional Regulators, including ASTTBC, have established a policy to guide their advocacy:

https://asttbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ASTTBC-Advocacy-Policy-FINAL.pdf