Thesis Defence: Hagop Terzian

Canada has a reputation of maintaining a positive experience to immigration and it prides itself in the strong belief that its doors are open to individuals of all walks of life. Its core success stems from building a diverse society of immigrants who have come to Canada for a wide range of reasons including economic pursuits, family reunification, or seeking protection as refugees. According to 2017-2018 Canadian statistics, 80% of the nation’s population growth was due to the international migration of newcomer Canadians. Of those permanent residents admitted into Canada, 58% were of Economic Class. Though in general migration might be open to all cultures, there is a less visible barrier that might prevent some immigrant professionals, including architects, from migrating to Canada. Self-governing professional bodies have systemic implicit biases that establish barriers and bar newcomer professionals from practice. This thesis investigates and unpacks the practices of these professional bodies in many disciplines, including architecture. While rules and regulations ensure the safety of both the public and the client, the question becomes, how can self-governing bodies in Canada offer opportunities to professional newcomer architects to encourage practice? Practicing architecture in Canada is mandated by provincial self-governing bodies such as the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA). This thesis investigates the history, organizational processes, and public interface of the OAA and compares its practices with other self-governing professional organizations research and proposes recommendations for their integration into practice.