Introduction

In November of 1996, representative members of the Home/Property Inspection profession in Canada agreed in principle to develop a national strategy guiding the future of the Canadian Home Inspection profession. A national framework/proposal was developed by a working group and amended by industry leaders at a validation session held in April, 1997. The resulting strategy/framework is presented in a Report from the Advisory Steering Committee.

The Report represents the best efforts of leaders of the profession to define a strategy which works in the best interests of the home inspection profession throughout the country. The report conceptualizes a strategy which can accommodate the interests of all associations and members of the profession throughout the country. This report has now been accepted in principal as a working document by the leadership of all Home/Property Inspection Associations in Canada

The Rationale for Change

At the November '96 Planning Session, stakeholders identified the need for a mechanism to allow each of the existing inspector associations/groups to work together toward common goals. Participants also identified a series of longer-term goals primarily focused on establishing a system which would develop a common national standards for inspector certification, education and training and standards of inspection performance.

The Report identifies the expected benefits from developing a strong national program and certification system - including the potential for increased market share and expanded for certified inspectors, improved market identity of, and credibility for, certified inspectors.

Many individuals within all current associations share a commitment to improving their profession. The challenge to the profession is to implement a strategy which focuses the energies of all members of the profession towards achieving common goals. The authors of the Report believe that unifying the profession around common goals is desired not only by members of the profession, but also by a host of stakeholders in the Canadian housing and financing community.

Proposed Mission Statement and Objectives

Vision

The Canadian Home Inspection profession is committed to earning a position of respect and trust through the provision of excellence in inspection for their clients. The National Alliance will coordinate efforts across the country in support of that vision.

Organizational Objectives

To elevate the status of the profession in the minds of the consumer, home inspectors, government, and key stakeholders across Canada.

To establish one recognized body as speaking on behalf of the Canadian private sector home inspection profession at the national level.

To establish national performance standards for home inspections, a code of ethics and criteria for inspector certification so that the general public can have confidence that all certified Home Inspectors have met the requirements of the national certification process.

To ensure that inspections comply with that standard throughout Canada.

To approve, support and coordinate provincial/regional accrediting agencies to administer, certify and provide disciplinary control of private-sector home inspectors.

The National Alliance

A National Alliance (Organization of Organizations) is being proposed to coordinate, develop, implement and maintain strategies at the national level - which will then be applied at the provincial and regional level by accrediting agencies. As decisions at the Board of the Alliance will be made by provincial representatives, the organization can be seen to support a bottom-up structure. The provinces will jointly determine policy to be applied at the national level. As representatives on the Board of the Alliance will be practicing members of the profession, it can be stated that decisions will be made by the profession, on behalf of the profession.

The term "Alliance" and "The Alliance of Canadian Home/Property Inspection Associations (ACHPIA)", are used for description purposes only.

Responsibilities of the National Alliance

The Conceptual Framework would require that the National Alliance oversee the development and implementation of procedures and criteria which would be applied by all accrediting agencies throughout the country. The workload of the Alliance will be primarily focused at the front-end:

developing minimum criteria for accreditation of provincial/regional agencies for certification of individuals;

coordinating the development of National Curriculum(s) guiding the development of education and training programs, and overseeing the development of a National Examination Bank(s);

overseeing the development of a minimum national standard of performance and reporting procedures guiding the work of certified home inspectors;

developing strategic alliances with national stakeholders to the benefit of members of the Society.

Once the Accreditation Agencies are in place and certification procedures are being implemented at the provincial/regional level, the Alliance will assume more of a maintenance role:

coordinating efforts between the accreditation agencies;

maintaining strategic alliances and initiating new alliances;

validating and approving educational courses to the National Curriculum;

coordinating the development of new educational initiatives required by members of the profession.

The Board of Directors of the National Alliance

Based on the work of a Transition Steering Committee (empowered to direct the initiative through to a point at which formal constitution of the Alliance is possible), the National Alliance will be formally structured and in place by a target date of July 15th, 1998. The proposed Board of Directors of the Alliance will include:

1. One person appointed by each accredited provincial/regional/jurisdictional administrative body. At a minimum it would include representation from accrediting agencies representing:

* British Columbia

* The Prairie Provinces

* Ontario

* Quebec

* The Atlantic Provinces

* The Assembly of First Nations

2. Appointments deemed appropriate to benefit the Alliance.

3. Three certified inspectors (providing business, technical and educational expertise).

Financing of the Alliance

Once the National Alliance is operational and inspectors are being certified, the system must be financially viable. The Transition Steering Committee will be responsible for developing specific financial plans for the Alliance.

To finance the National Alliance, fees charged may include the following:

Application Fee: Each applicant will pay an application fee when applying for recognition as a Certified Inspector.

Annual Renewal Fee: Each Certified Inspector will be required to pay an annual renewal fee to maintain certification and listing in the official record.

Examination Fee: Each applicant who wishes to challenge part(s) of the national certification exam shall pay a fee.

Course Validation Fee: Each course provider will be required to submit their course(s) for validation against the National Curriculum/Occupational Analysis.

Annual Course Fee: The owner of each validated course would be required to pay an annual renewal fee to be able to offer the course.

Provincial/Regional Accrediting Agencies

Provincial/Regional Accrediting Agencies will adopt and implement the strategies as established by the National Alliance within their respective jurisdictional areas. The framework calls for the Alliance to work toward a single Accrediting Agency in each province.

Responsibilities

1. Accrediting Agencies will assume responsibility for administering the certification process. administering assessment procedures, keeping track of people, and collecting fees.

2. Accrediting Agencies will approve individuals for certification through administration of the following measures:

administering of written or oral examination procedures to assess applicant knowledge;

administering of procedures to assess applicant skills; and

administering procedures to evaluate applicant experience and ability to comply with standards.

3. Accrediting Agencies will collect prescribed fees as required by the Alliance for such items as:

annual membership renewals;

examination/assessment fees;

disciplinary penalties.

4. Accrediting Agencies will maintain a current listing of all approved educational courses available in the province/region in which the organization is active.

5. Accrediting Agencies will enforce compliance of members with minimum standards of performance and with the Code of Ethical Behaviour.

Certification of Home Inspectors

Participants at the April Planning Session worked from the perspective that national certification criteria must be evenly and equally applied to all those seeking certification, including existing members of the profession, to eliminate concerns and criticism relating to arbitrariness and favouritism. Existing members of the profession can, however, be credited with requirements relating to proven skills and ability - based on validated experience in the marketplace.

Criteria for Certification - Entry Level

1. Succesfully complete standardized examination(s) administered in written or oral format.

2. As required, attend mandatory educational courses.

3. Successfully perform monitored inspections (proposed 3) with process assessed by a peer.

4. Provide proof of performance of up to 150 inspections/reports and an assessment by peers to determine adequacy/capacity of the candidate and their track record/experience.

5. Pay the prescribed fees.

6. Sign an agreement to comply with the terms and conditions of certification:

Criteria for Certification - Experienced Professionals

Members of existing Associations on record as of July 15, 1998, will have 12 months in which they can gain certification by meeting the requirements identified below.

1. Succesfully complete a standardized examination(s) administered in written or oral format or attend an update course and attain a passing grade on a standardized examination.

2. As required, show proof of attendance at mandatory educational courses.

3. Provide proof of performance of 500 inspections and peer acceptance of report writing skills.

4. Pay the prescribed fees.

5. Sign an agreement to comply with the terms and conditions of certification:

The Occupational Analysis

A National Occupational Analysis will be developed to serve as the basis for the establishment of knowledge and skill requirements of the individual performing home inspections Developing an Occupational Analysis is a process by which one defines:

What one needs to know in order to perform those functions;

What skills/abilities need to be applied in the performance of those functions; and

Trends (technological, economical, political social and geographic) which affect (or might affect) how the occupation operates.

The development of the Analysis is based on direct input from a large number of members of the profession representing all regions of the country, all types of companies/operations, and representing the different education and experience backgrounds of members of the profession.

The Occupational Analysis will serve as a fundamental tool for the development of:

Education and training Curriculum;

Examinations and evaluation procedures; and

Industry developed standards of performance.

For each inspection service, a separate task analysis would be required, such as for:

Pre-purchase real estate inspections;

Pre-delivery inspections on newly constructed houses;

Pre-renovation inspections and project planning consultations;

Problem-solving and trouble shooting consultation; Fee-for-service Code compliance inspections.

The National Curriculum

Based on the approved National Occupational Analysis, a minimum National Curriculum will be developed. The National Curriculum will represent the road map applied to the development of education and training initiatives for the profession.

Assessing and Validating Existing Courses and Programs

The development of the National Curriculum (based on the Occupational Analysis) will, for the first time, allow for the implementation of a process whereby existing and new courses can be evaluated. Based on the National Curriculum, all existing courses could be evaluated to determine:

which elements/tasks of the National Curriculum/Occupational Analysis they cover;

the extent of coverage of the specific task/required areas of knowledge;

elements which, if added to the course, would enhance coverage of that specific area of the Curriculum;

elements of the course which are not deemed essential within the scope of the National Curriculum;

the currency/accuracy of course materials in relation to the Curriculum.

The process of course validation can occur either at the provincial/regional accrediting agency level, or if courses are available for delivery throughout the country, at the national level.

Developing a National Examination Bank

The National Occupational Analysis and resulting National Curriculum would also serve as the tool by which a National Examination Bank is created. The examination Bank will serve as the assessment tool to determine whether an individual candidate has acquired the knowledge required of the certified Home Inspector.

As with the Curriculum, the examination bank will need to be sub-divided to follow the functions and tasks identified in the Occupational Analysis. Each separate function (i.e., marketing, electrical, foundations, etc.) would require a separate set of evaluation questions, allowing the exam to be challenged in course-specific areas or in larger sections.

The examination bank would include a variety of options to 'test' each element of the Curriculum - ensuring that no two examinations are alike. This will prevent any concerns relating to altering course to 'teach to the examination', and will reduce the likelihood of fraud. Specific procedures for ensuring the security of the examination bank will need to be put in place.

Developing a National Standard of Performance

The National Occupational Analysis, and associated task-specific analyses will serve as the guide for the development of a minimum National Standard of Performance for the profession. These Standards would be applied to the performance of the different types of inspections which the profession may offer.

The Advisory Committee Report has addressed the concept of Performance Standards based on insightful input received from members of the profession. The group believes that the development of the Standard should be guided by several key principles:

the Standard should address what needs to be done - not simply what is currently done;

the Standard should be more driven by a desire to provide a valuable service to the client - not simply serving as a means of 'protecting the inspector's butt';

the Standard should be guided by a clarification of House Performance Expectations - allowing the inspector to comment specifically on performance problems with housing.

Expanding the Marketplace (Strategic Relations)

The ability to take advantage of the strategic relationships forged with the major national stakeholders such as CMHC, GE Capital, Canadian Real Estate Associations, Canadian Bankers' Association and Federal government agencies and departments, will elevate the title of 'Certified Inspector' and increase the business value of the designation many fold. Strategic relationships both at the national and provincial level which establishes 'preferred supplier' status for certified inspectors will lead to enhanced business opportunities and increased consumer protection.

During the transition period, existing associations and association members will have the opportunity to develop their business plans allowing them to respond to the increase in business and to the new 'competitive' environment among building inspectors in the marketplace.

Building Support within the Profession

If there is agreement in principle to move forward in the direction proposed, the process of building support within the profession must begin. In the same way in which 5 working grop members cannot assume responsibility for transforming a profession, nor can 25 individuals - regardless of their duly elected positions. The membership of CAHI, WAPI, and PACHI, as well as non-aligned members of the profession, need to be informed of the initiative and have the opportunity to understand it and respond. This responsibility will clearly be in the hands of each of these association executives, as represented at the April 1997 meeting.

As the benefits of being a Certified Inspector become more broadly understood and known, the demand for the designation will grow in all areas of Canada providing a highly trained and professional cadre of private sector inspectors.

How the membership requirements of the existing provincial/national/regional associations will dovetail with the national 'Certified Inspector' designation requirements will become clear during the transition period. A fundamental premise of the new organization is that members of existing associations will be recognized for the work/training they have undertaken already.

Experienced inspectors moving toward gaining their 'Certified Inspector' status will find their vast knowledge and experience will serve them well in meeting the criteria. This fact needs to be circulated among all current association members to help reduce the anxiety that naturally occurs when people are being asked to meet a standard by being evaluated.

Individuals Involved in the Development of the Report

Participants at Strategic Planning Session Nov. 25-26

Ashdown, Graham, St. Catherines, Ontario

Johnson, John, Saint John, New Brunswick

Brewer, Mike, Mississauga, Ontario

Kindred, Greg, Regina, Saskatchewan

Carson, Alan, Toronto, Ontario

Leech, John, Surrey, B.C.

Carson, Terry, Toronto, Ontario

Lucas, Lloyd, Coquitlam, British Columbia

Chace, John, Maple Ridge, B.C.

Madsen, Moe, St. Albert, Alberta

Clarke, Jeff, Toronto, Ontario

Marshall, Terry, Ottawa, Ontario

Crawford, Bill, London, Ontario

O'Grady, Michael, Baltimore, Ontario

Crewe, Brian, Notre Dame de Perrot, Quebec

Robar, Jim, Ottawa, Ontario

Dennis, Bob, Kelowna, B.C.

Rodrigues, Joe, Kirkland, Quebec

Dickie, Owen, Oyama, B.C.

Smith, Dewey, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Goddard, Phil, Langley, B.C.

Welby-Solomon, Trevor, Scarborough, Ontario

Healey, John, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Wilson, Paul, Nepean, Ontario

Horsman, Brian, North Bay, Ontario

Wood, Charles, Moncton, New Brunswick

Appointed Members of the Interim Steering Group

Brewer, Mike, Mississauga, Ontario

Smith, Dewey, Ontario First Nations

Leech, John, Surrey, B.C.

Wilson, Paul, Nepean, Ontario

Madsen, Moe, St. Albert, Alberta

Advisory Steering Committee (and Affiliation) April 25-26, 1997

Ashdown, Graham, PACHI

Leech, John, WAPI/ASTTBC

Brewer, Mike, independent

Lindsay, Calvin, CAHI (B.C.)

Carson, Alan, Independent

Lucas, Lloyd, WAPI

Madsen, Moe, CAHI (Prarie)/CAHI National

Chace, John, Building Official

Marshall, Terry, CMHC

Clarke, Rick, CAHI (Prairie)

O'Grady, Michael, PACHI

Crewe, Brian, CAHI (Quebec)

Robar, Jim, CMHC

Dickie, Owen, CAHI (B.C.)

Smith, Dewey, OFNTSC

Goddard, Phil, WAPI

Welby-Solomon, Trevor, PACHI

Janssen, Harry, OAHI/CAHI National

Wilson, Paul, OACBI

Lecuyer, Norm, CAHI National & OAHI

Wood, Charles, CAHI (Atlantic)

The existing organizations agreed the program should go forward and sent the following dedicated people to the National level as members of the Transition Steering Committee to attempt to implement the recommendation made by the ISG and complete the plan.

The first meeting was held in Edmonton August 22 & 23, 1997.

The second meeting will be held in Toronto October 23, 1997.

The voting members of the TSC are:

Phil Goddard
P.O. Box 76, 20465 Douglas Crescent
Langley, B.C.
V3A 4B6
Phone: 604 - 530-2217
Fax: 604 - 533-1710

Owen Dickie
14314 Oyama Road
Oyama B.C.
V4V 2C7
Phone: 250 - 548-4131
Fax: 250 - 548-3837

Brent Applegate
159 Woodbend Way
Okotoks, Alberta
T0L 1T5
Phone: 403 - 938 - 3905
Fax: 403 - 938 - 3426

Norm Lecuyer
39 Terry Fox Avenue
Carlton Place, Ontario
K7C 4G2
Phone 613 - 253 - 7183
Fax: 613- - 253 - 8361

Trevor Welby-Solomon
2343 Brimley Road, Suite 888
Scarborough, Ontario
M1S 3L6
Phone: 416 - 410 - 7868
Fax: 416 - 609 - 9067

Dewey Smith
415 Yonge Street, Suite 1107
Toronto, Ontario
M5B 2E7
Phone: 416 - 977 - 3488
Fax: 416 - 977 - 3671

Brian Crewe
2741 Boulevard Perrot
Notre-Dame de1' Ile Perrot, Quebec
J7V 8P4
Phone:514 - 453 - 3429
Fax: 514 - 453 - 1389

Charles Wood
331 Elmwood Drive, Suite 4 - 139
Moncton, New Brunswick
E1A 1X9
Phone: 506 - 862 - 8555
Fax: 506 - 384 - 8134

Non Voting Members of the TSC:

Michael Brewer
5805 Whittle Road, Suite 211
Mississauga, Ontario
L4Z 2J1
Phone: 905 - 568 - 8608
Fax: 905 - 568 - 8137

Moe Madsen
15 Akins Drive
St. Albert, Alberta
T8N 2H 6
Phone: 403 - 458 - 9168
Fax: 403 - 459 - 0019

Greg Kindred
31 Metcalfe Road
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4V 0H6
Phone: 306 - 536 - 1799
Fax: 306 - 789 - 3083