2008 marks the 10th year anniversary
of the Real Property Institute of Canada as an incorporated
organization. To celebrate this occasion, the Board of
Directors will be recognizing those who have, over the
years, contributed to its success, namely past presidents
as well as its founding members, Steve Johnston, Indian
and Northern Affairs Canada and Marc Landry, National Research
Council (retired).
2008 also marks the creation of the
Federal Real Property Week and its ADM Champion. The objective
is to increase awareness of the importance of real property
in support of the federal government’s plans and
priorities. Mr. John McBain, Associated Assistant Deputy
Minister, Public Works and Government Services has graciously
accepted to be the inaugural ADM Champion.
As I articulated last fall, RPIC
would be seeking ways to renew itself in responding to
the needs expressed by its community. I would like to highlight
some of our initiatives that will pave the way for the
future of RPIC:
I Establishment
of four key governance committees
- Community Development and
Outreach Committee that strives to promote and recognize
the professionalism and important contribution of the
federal real property community across Canada; and raise
awareness of the Real Property Institute of Canada (RPIC)
with officials from all levels of government, academia
and private sector organizations with similar interests;
- Fundraising Committee that
raises awareness of the Real Property Institute of Canada
(RPIC) and solicit and obtain funds to underwrite the
Institute’s initiatives;
- Professional Development Definition
Program that identifies professional development and
information sessions required by the federal real property
community across Canada. In addition, the Program will
evaluate, assess and, where feasible, incorporate provincial,
territorial and municipal requirements in the professional
development and information sessions. The outcome of
the Program will be to provide a mechanism for real property
professionals in all levels of government to remain current
on issues, methodologies and best practices applicable
to government operations and to provide a channel for
industry to access government professionals and determine
where and how their services might be applicable to government;
and
- Professional Development Delivery
Program that will, based on the needs identified by the
members of the real property community, deliver strong
and relevant programs at its annual National and Regional
Workshops; Federal Contaminated Sites Workshops and other
forums of interest such as Professional Development Days,
seminars, and panel discussions on economic, social and
environmental issues affecting the management of real
property.
II Development of Real
Property Survey
It is the Real Property Institute
of Canada’s (RPIC) goal to develop and foster a high
professional standard of real property management within
the Federal Public Service and to provide a forum for information
exchange and continuous improvement. One important element
in achieving this goal is to provide training and career
development for personnel in the federal Real Property
community. We have worked in collaboration with the Procurement,
Materiel Management and Real Property Community Management
Office of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS)
in developing a questionnaire. The results will help in
the development of a capacity building strategy by the
Community Management Office.
III Successful National
Workshops
In 2008, we made a commitment to
make this a true national organization. As a result, we
have expanded our program delivery curriculum to include
the Federal Contaminated Sites National Workshop held last
May in Vancouver, BC. Combined with this year’s National
Real Property Workshop here in Gatineau, Québec,
RPIC is planning a regional workshop in Halifax in 2009
and we will be taking our bi-annual Federal Contaminated
Sites National Workshop to Montréal, Québec
in 2010.
IV Scholarships
Another 2008 highlight was the creation
of a First Nations of BC Scholarship in Environmental Studies.
At the Federal Contaminated Sites National Workshop, RPIC
offered a scholarship valued at $2,000 to a First Nations
student who will be pursuing a degree in environmental
studies at a post-secondary institution.
RPIC will continue to seek opportunities to support post-secondary students
who are pursuing a degree in a real property or environmental management
related field.
V Protection
of the Environment
RPIC takes great pride in environmental
stewardship. At our 2008 national workshops, RPIC ensured
that a comprehensive recycling program is in place; opting
for recycle cloth bags, not printing the proceedings, using
television screen for program information, etc., and using
the hotel recycling program to its full extent.
VI Recognition of Outgoing
Board Members
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank outgoing board members who have made a significant
impact to RPIC’s role in the federal real property
community. Thank you Gerry Davy, Maureen Holmes, Dave Burden,
Terry Homma and Michael Blaschuk. Your contribution has
been greatly appreciated and will be missed.
With the departure of a few results
in the arrival of new board members who seek to make a
difference in our community. The Board continues to attract
senior level officials and I would like to welcome Gary
Lacey, Daniel Leclair, Anne Auger, and Krishna Sahay.
VII National Workshop
Co-Chairs
I would like to recognize the immense
contribution of our national workshop co-chairs; namely
Irene Wolanskyj and Michael Nahir, co-chairs of the Federal
Contaminated Sites National Workshop in Vancouver; this
year’s National Real Property Workshop co-chairs,
Heather Kane (chair) and Peter Linkletter (co-chair). I
would also like to thank Peter Linkletter who has graciously
accepted to be next year’s chairperson for the National
Real Property Workshop. Many thanks for your immense contribution
and commitment to the success of our organization.
VIII Moving Forward
In collaboration with Seneca College,
RPIC is developing a survey specific on the development
of a training program for real property managers in the
area of the built environment. This survey will be released
shortly.
RPIC will be negotiating a service
level agreement with the Certified Commercial Investment
Members (CCIM) with a view to allow RPIC members to complete
a 4 course education program in commercial real estate
and obtain a CCIM designation- the highest professional
certification one can earn in commercial investment real
estate.
In conjunction with its 10-year anniversary,
RPIC will be seeking to negotiate a Service Level Agreement
with Tree Canada Foundation to formalize and further enhance
RPIC’s commitment to offset CO2 emissions with the
planting of trees in Canada.
These are exciting times for RPIC
and we hope that the next 10 years are just as exciting
as the first 10. The participation and involvement of the
federal real property community is critical to its success.
The Board of Directors encourages federal real property
managers to get involved in RPIC planning activities to
ensure a bright and prosperous future.
The proposed RPIC Slate of Officers
for 2008-2009 is:
Jean-Pierre St-Amand, President
First Vice-President ¬– Vacant (to be filled)
Anthony Thompson, Second Vice-President
Gilles Champoux, Secretary Treasurer
Tara Dinsmore, Director
Heather Kane, Director
Robert Kilpatrick, Director
Gary Lacey, Director
Luc Ladouceur, Director
Peter Linkletter, Director
Colleen Post, Director
Krishna Sahay, Director
Anne Auger, Ex Officio
Jean Bilodeau, Ex Officio
Brian Card, Ex Officio
Irene Wolanskyj, Ex Officio
Moved by Jean Bilodeau, seconded
by Robert Kilpatrick to accept the Slate as presented.
Carried.
The financial position of the Real
Property Institute of Canada (RPIC) as at September 30,
2008 shows that the Institute incurred a modest increase
in operating revenues in 2008 of a $19,751 increase compared
to a deficit of ($13,039.71) in the previous year. More
importantly, the Unrestricted Fund Balance which corresponds
roughly to the Members Equity in RPIC, has increased to
$19,751 compared to ($13,039.71) one year earlier, a 251%
increase and is mainly due to a significant increase in
members attending the 2008 Contaminated Sites Conference
in Vancouver in April/May of this year. These figures have
been confirmed in the auditor’s report that the Institute
will make available on the RPIC web site. The Board continues
to be committed to monitoring the Institute’s finances.
The new Board expects to have a balanced budget for this
year. The audited financial statements show that the Board
is fiscally sound and is meeting its legal obligations.
For the upcoming fiscal year, the Board will engage the
firm of Parker Prins Lebano Chartered Accountants to undertake
the next audit. As a side note, as of November 4, 2008,
the Board has current assets of $142,609.
Moved by Irene Wolanskyj,
seconded by Anthony Thompson to accept the Treasurer’s
Report as presented. Carried.
