The best press release of the day arrived in our in-basket late Tuesday. We offer it without comment. Well, almost without comment. Tim Peterson, the Liberal MPP for Mississauga South, is the brother of former premier David Peterson and respected MP and former cabinet minister Jim Peterson. While his brothers have soared to the highest heights of Canadian political life, the rookie MPP has his feet firmly on the ground, pouncing upon an issue that has gripped ordinary Ontarians for decades:
MPP Tim Peterson Introduces Interior Designers Act, 2006
Legislation will protect the public and regulate the practice of interior
design
TORONTO, June 6 / The Interior Designers Act, 2006, a Private
Member, Public Bill, introduced today by MPP Tim Peterson, will protect the
public from unqualified practitioners by regulating the practice of interior
design in Ontario.
Interior design is currently an unregulated profession in Ontario. There
are no restrictions on who may practice interior design. As a result,
consumers and businesses in Ontario have no reliable way of knowing if
practitioners possess the appropriate qualifications and training to practice
safe interior design. If the Bill is passed, Ontario will become the second
jurisdiction in Canada to regulate the practice of interior design.
Interior design includes the development of all public interior spaces,
such as corporate offices, restaurants, retail stores and shopping malls,
health and long-term care facilities, academic institutions, airports,
detention centres and public facilities. Interior design significantly affects
the health and safety of the public who occupy these spaces.
Interior Designers incorporate specialized knowledge of fire codes,
building codes, material flammability and toxicity issues, and barrier-free
design matters into each project to ensure the protection of the public.
Highlights of the proposed legislation include:
- Establishing the Association of Registered Interior Designers of
Ontario (ARIDO) as the self-governing body responsible for regulating
the profession of interior design in Ontario
- Granting ARIDO the authority to set standards of practice and entry
to practice requirements for the profession; including, education,
experience, examination and professional liability insurance
- Defining the scope of practice for interior design and restricting
the use of the title "Interior Designer" to members of the profession
who meet the necessary qualifications
The Bill regulates the practice of interior design but excludes most
residential buildings, such as residential buildings under 600 sq. m (6,450
sq. ft.). The Bill does not regulate interior decorating. Architects and
Engineers can continue to practice interior design subject to their own
regulatory statutes.
"I am proud to introduce the Interior Designers Act, 2006" said MPP Tim
Peterson. "If passed, the Bill will regulate the practice of interior design
and protect the health and safety of Ontarians. ARIDO and the interior design
community have been pursuing regulation for many years and I am pleased to be
a part of realizing their public interest objectives."
ARIDO has widespread support for the Bill. ARIDO has consulted
extensively with a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including the Ontario
Association of Architects and the Professional Engineers of Ontario. The Bill
is consistent with NAFTA, the National Building Code and the Ontario Building
Code.
Interior design in Ontario generates over $4 billion of economic activity
in the province annually. The majority of Interior Designers are small
business owners. ARIDO currently has 1,800 plus members.
About ARIDO
ARIDO is currently a voluntary professional association for Interior
Designers in Ontario. ARIDO’s mandate is to serve the interests of both the
public and the interior design industry. It does so by registering Interior
Designers who voluntarily meet required standards of education, experience and
examination. For more information on ARIDO, please visit: www.arido.ca.
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