Protecting Landscape Architect Title and Standards

Summary#

The Registered Landscape Architects Act sets up rules for who can call themselves a “landscape architect” in Manitoba and how the profession is overseen. It gives the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects the power to register members, set standards, and handle complaints, with a clear focus on the public interest.

• Protects the titles “Registered Landscape Architect,” “R.L.A.,” and “landscape architect” so only registered people can use them.
• Creates public registers for “registered landscape architects” and “candidate members” (trainees on the path to full registration).
• Sets education, competency, and ongoing learning requirements through by-laws; allows recognition of credentials from other provinces under labour mobility rules.
• Establishes a complaint and discipline system with investigations, hearings, and penalties, and requires at least one-third public members on key committees.
• Allows inspections of members’ offices and records to check compliance.
• Requires employers to report when a member is fired for incapacity, incompetence, or misconduct.
• Lets the association publish disciplinary decisions, and sets fines for offences like misuse of title or breaching confidentiality.

What it means for you#

• Public and clients

  • You can check if someone is registered on a public, searchable register.
  • If you have a concern about a member’s conduct or skill, you can file a written complaint.
  • Disciplinary hearings are generally open to the public, and outcomes can be published, including the member’s name when penalties are imposed.

• People working in landscape design

  • To use the title “landscape architect” or “R.L.A.,” you must be registered and meet set education and competency standards.
  • There is a “candidate member” category for people working toward full registration.
  • You may have to complete continuing professional development and carry professional liability insurance if required by by-laws.
  • Inspectors can review your practice and records; serious breaches can lead to suspension, conditions on practice, fines, or cancellation of registration.
  • You can appeal registration refusals and disciplinary decisions, first within the association and then to the courts in some cases.
  • Coming from another province or territory, you may qualify under labour mobility rules.

• Employers (firms, municipalities, institutions)

  • You must not present unregistered staff as “landscape architects.”
  • If you terminate a registered member for incapacity, incompetence, or misconduct, you must report it to the registrar and give the employee a copy.
  • You can verify staff status and any practice restrictions on the public register.

• Government and communities

  • Stronger title protection and standards aim to improve the quality and safety of site planning, parks, and public spaces.
  • The association must include public representatives on its council and committees, adding public oversight.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Protects the public by ensuring only qualified people can use the title and take on complex site design work.
• Provides clear, transparent oversight with public registers, public representation on committees, and the ability to publish disciplinary outcomes.
• Creates a fair, step-by-step process to investigate complaints and address problems, from extra training to suspension if needed.
• Supports worker mobility by recognizing credentials from other provinces under labour mobility law.
• Keeps regulation close to the profession while requiring it to act in the public interest.

Opponents' View#

• Could raise barriers to entry and reduce competition if education and fee requirements are high.
• Title protection may limit how related professionals (e.g., designers, horticulturists) describe their work, even if they have experience.
• Self-regulation may risk the profession prioritizing its members over the public without strong external checks.
• Compliance duties, inspections, and potential fines may be burdensome, especially for small firms or solo practitioners.
• Publishing names and details of discipline may have lasting reputational impacts, even after issues are corrected.