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Part of New and proposed legislation

Streamlining professional governance legislation

Bill 40 would promote good governance and help certain professional regulatory organizations protect the public interest.

Status: Bill 40 was introduced on March 11, 2025
Ministry responsible: Advanced Education

Overview

If passed, Bill 40, the Professional Governance Act, will ensure governance structures are up to date and effectively meeting the needs of 22 of Alberta’s professional regulatory organizations.

Professional regulatory organizations would have more self-governing authority and control through their bylaws, reducing red tape and freeing up time and resources for them to focus on ensuring their members provide the best possible services to Albertans.

Bill 40 would consolidate and streamline Advanced Education’s professional governance legislation from 9 separate acts into one. Proposed changes would enhance fairness, transparency and accountability by implementing a modernized framework for complaints, discipline and appeals.

Professional regulatory organizations would also have access to an alternative complaint resolution process and the Ombudsman.

Key changes

If passed, Bill 40, the Professional Governance Act, will consolidate the:

  • Agrology Profession Act
  • Architects Act
  • Chartered Professional Accountants Act
  • Consulting Engineers of Alberta Act
  • Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act
  • Land Surveyors Act
  • Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act
  • Regulated Forest Management Profession Act
  • Veterinary Profession Act

Proposed changes would fix inconsistencies or lack of information in current legislation for professional regulatory organizations, including:

  • the purpose, authorities, powers, and functions of professional regulatory organizations
  • distribution of provisions between various levels of legislation (act, regulation, bylaws)
  • requirements for reporting, transparency, accountability, and offences and penalties
  • Ombudsman access
  • information privacy and disclosure requirements

Outdated provisions would be repealed and replaced to recognize technological advancements and ensure Advanced Education’s regulatory bodies’ bylaws and practices reflect digital processes, including:

  • electronic signatures
  • electronic records
  • delivery of electronic notices
  • virtual meetings

Read the Bill 40, the Professional Governance Act fact sheet to learn more.

Next steps

If passed, Bill 40, the Professional Governance Act, is intended to be proclaimed in June 2026, and implementation would be staggered for professional regulatory organizations.

New regulations would be expected to be presented starting in fall 2025.

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