FEBRUARY 2026
Member Update: Advancing our Transition to the Professional Governance Act (PGA)
The transition to the Professional Governance Act (PGA) is moving from the planning phase into active implementation. We are pleased to provide you with a progress report on several key milestones that solidify the future of the AALA.
A Major Milestone: General Regulation Approved
On January 12, 2026, the Government of Alberta officially approved the PGA Professional Governance General Regulation. This is a significant step for all 22 professional regulatory organizations impacted by the PGA. It establishes the foundational rules for governance and conduct that ensure our profession remains aligned with provincial standards for public interest and transparency.
Progress on the Landscape Architects Regulation
With the overarching framework now set, our focus is on the Landscape Architects Regulation—the document specific to our profession.
Status: A full draft is currently under review by the Province.
Timeline: We are optimistic for a formal approval this Spring.
Note on Scope & Title: We want to confirm that this regulation maintains our current Protection of Title (restricted title). While the new regulation does not establish an "exclusive scope of practice" at this stage, the AALA has expressed a formal interest to the Province in revisiting these discussions once the PGA transition is complete.
Updating Governance: Bylaws, Policies, and Committees
Our governance documents are being meticulously updated to ensure we hit the ground running when the Act comes into force.
Bylaws: Halford Consulting is currently drafting our new Bylaws using the Province's latest templates and the expert input of our PGA Task Force. These will soon be submitted to the Province for review.
Policies: We are taking this opportunity to modernize our internal policies, ensuring they are not only PGA-compliant but also more efficient for our current operational needs.
Committee Structure: The PGA framework mandates a specific structure for certain committees to ensure consistency across professions. While we will be updating our committee alignment to meet these requirements, the AALA retains the flexibility to create additional committees—much like we do now—to serve our unique professional interests.
What This Currently Means for You
We understand that legislative changes can bring questions about the impact on your practice. Here is what you can expect:
Continuing Education (CE): We do not anticipate changes to the requirements of our CE program, though you may see a minor name change to the program to align with PGA terminology.
Dues: There are no fee increases associated with the PGA transition; any future adjustments will remain consistent with our typical annual reviews.
Representation: Our dedicated PGA Task Force continues to act as your representative voice, ensuring the drafting process reflects the needs of Alberta’s Landscape Architects.
Virtual General Membership Meeting
We are planning a Virtual Membership Meeting in the near future. This will be an opportunity for the Board and the Task Force to present the proposed materials in detail and for you to ask questions. Stay tuned for a formal invitation and date.
Thank you for your continued patience and engagement as we navigate this important evolution for our profession.
OCT 2025
The following is to provide an update on the provincial government's Professional Governance Act (PGA), also known as Bill 40, and its significance for the AALA. We know this is the first communication on this topic in a while, so we'll start with a brief overview.
What is the Professional Governance Act?
Introduced by the Government of Alberta, the PGA is umbrella legislation that will modernize and consolidate nine separate acts and 28 regulations governing 22 different non-health professional regulatory organizations (PROs) into a single, unified act. The primary goal is to promote good governance, consistency, and transparency, ensuring that PROs like the AALA are effectively protecting the public interest.
For the AALA, this means a shift from our current legislation under the Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act (POARA) to the new PGA. This change will give us more self-governing authority to manage our professional regulatory matters through updated bylaws, while also providing a consistent framework for things like professional conduct, discipline, and continuing competence across all regulated professions under the act.
Our Engagement and Progress
Your Board and Staff have been actively involved in this transition process, meeting with the Province over the past year to provide feedback on the draft General Regulation. This is a crucial step as it will establish the foundational framework for all PROs under the PGA. Our dedicated PGA Task Force has also been engaged on key items, such as membership classifications, to ensure that the unique needs of our profession are accurately represented and inform the opinions we share with the government.
We're also pleased to announce that the AALA has hired Halford Consulting to provide professional support and guidance on governance matters. This was necessary after our previous professional support became unavailable. The firm will be instrumental in helping us navigate the new legislative landscape and update our governance documents.
What's Next and How to Stay Informed
The Province has shared the following timeline for PGA implementation for the AALA:
Fall 2025: Approval of the General Regulation.
Spring 2026: Approval of select PRO regulations, including the Landscape Architects Regulation specific to the AALA.
Summer 2026: The PGA and supporting regulations come into force for select PROs.
In the coming weeks, we expect to meet with the Province to discuss the Landscape Regulation and receive a draft template. This will then be reviewed and commented on by our PGA Task Force. In the meantime, we'll also be working in the background to review and update all our bylaws and policies, which will also be issued for review to the Task Force and the Board.
We will continue to keep you informed as we receive more details and move forward with this important transition. Thank you for your continued dedication to the profession.