Architect and Licensed Technologist Defence Lawyer for OAA Discipline Committee investigations, complaints, and professional misconduct hearings.

Architects and Licensed Technologists (LT aka. Lic.Tech.OAA) in Ontario are governed by the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) which is the province’s regulatory body for architects. Anyone wanting to refer to themselves as an architect or LT must be licensed by the OAA. Architects are required to follow all OAA rules, ethics requirements and regulations. Sometimes architects are the subject of complaints of professional misconduct, incapacity and incompetence which can lead to compliance investigations and Disciplinary Committee action being taken against them. The OAA can also take action against those they allege are illegally practicing, violating the rules, or working without a valid OAA license.

The OAA Council, Lieutenant Governor in Council Appointee (LGIC) and Discipline Committee have the power to investigate potential claims of misconduct that arise from complaints from clients, members of the public, co-workers, and other architect professionals. Sometimes disciplinary action is taken as a result of criminal charges being laid or upon the completion of a quality assurance practice assessment that can be conducted at any time. If any professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity is found your architecture career could be put at risk. This can include mistakes, fraud, illegal practice, sexual misconduct or a lack of mandatory reporting or self-reporting compliance.

Since architects and LTs must be authorized by the OAA to practice, losing OAA credentials or having restrictions placed on your practice can have a devastating impact on your career and future employability/earning potential.

It is easy to be accused of professional misconduct because filing a complaint with the OAA is an easy process available to anyone.

It is relatively easy to be subject to an OAA complaint as the regulator encourages members of the public to submit complaints on their website, see: https://oaa.on.ca/protecting-the-public/make-a-complaint.

Once a complaint is filed the OAA has a mandate to investigate it. The architect or licenced technologist will be asked to provide supporting documentation and allow access to their books and records for analysis. The complaint may then be elevated to a hearing or tribunal to hear evidence, witness testimony, and evaluate whether sanctions are warranted.

Potential penalties resulting from Ontario Association of Architects investigations and hearings

OAA disciplinary committees, Council and LGIC actions, appeal committees, and judicial reviews can have a devastating impact on a architect's career if not handled properly.

The OAA and their Council have broad powers to discipline architects and LTs who are found to have violated the Architects Act and associated Regulations and By-laws, such as:

1. Reprimands, cautions, and warnings
2. Revoke the architect or LTs license and Certificate of Practice
3. Impose terms, limitations or conditions on the architect’s certificate of practice
4. Pay fines and restitution for 3rd party losses
5. Undertake rehabilitation counseling
6. Participate in classes and training programs
7. Work under the supervision of other architects
8. Undergo practice inspections
9. Loss of permission refer to yourself as an OAA “Member”, “Architect” and/or use the professional title “Architect OAA” designation or Lic.Tech.OAA

The process of being investigated by the OAA is also open to the public meaning the architect’s reputation is put at risk. The result of the proceedings will be published online and may show up in online searches for the architect’s name or practice. Having a history of disciplinary action or complaints can scar the architect’s reputation which can cause them to lose existing clients (or job opportunities) and scare off new ones.

Any investigation by the OAA discipline committee is an extremely serious matter that an architect or licensed technologist must successfully respond to.

Ignoring the complaint is not an option as architects and LTs are required to respond, produce documents, and fully cooperate with the investigation along with any subsequent hearings, tribunals, and appeals. If you or your practice is the subject of a OAA discipline committee complaint, investigation, or hearing, it is in your best interest to hire a lawyer to help you respond to and defend the claims being made against you. You may be targeted for something that is standard practice or behaviour that was reasonable in the circumstances.

A lawyer can help you formulate your best possible response to the OAA which is the first step in having the complaint against you (hopefully) dismissed. This is a process that often requires substantial research of the applicable statutes, regulations and generally accepted architect practices along with prior case precedents that may demonstrate you did nothing wrong or that any mistakes, errors, or omissions made do not warrant significant sanctions being placed on you or your practice.

While it is best to obtain legal representation from the beginning of the complaint process, it is also essential that you have legal representation if your matter has already been elevated to a hearing or tribunal, or you need to appeal a decision via a judicial review or action in the court of appeal. Whether you have just been notified that you are the subject of a complaint or your matter has been ongoing for quite some time, give us a call today for assistance and a free no obligation quote.

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You don't have to jeopardize your future or waste thousands of dollars on excessive legal fees. We provide effective and affordable lawyer representation for those facing professional regulatory body complaints and investigations throughout Ontario, Canada.

Have a skilled lawyer represent you and protect your professional license, standing, and reputation.




Please note: We do not accept legal aid certificate cases. All clients are handled on a private retainer only. Not all cases are handled personally by Mark Zinck, nor does Mark Zinck warrant to be an expert in or practice in all areas of law and topics discussed on this website including, but not limited to, civil, administrative, and/or regulatory law.

*2024 Results: the percentage of 99% of clients avoiding a criminal record (conviction) stated on this page is based solely on Lawyer Mark Zinck's personal representation of approximately 2000 criminal defence case clients as of the year 2024. Past results are not necessarily an indication of future results.

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