On October 24, 2025, the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC) posted an opening for a new Director of Professional Practice.
This position is one of the most powerful within the Institute, directly shaping how member investigations, sanctions, and hearings are conducted.
Given recent changes to AIC’s disciplinary rules and growing concerns about fairness, transparency in this hiring process is critical.
Why This Appointment Matters
The Director of Professional Practice oversees investigations and discipline through the Professional Practice Committee (PPC) and its five subcommittees:
Investigating Working Group
Adjudicating Working Group
Appeal Working Group
Advocates Working Group
Standards Subcommittee
Many of the current PPC and subcommittee members helped draft or enforce the June 1, 2025 Professional Practice Review Policy (PPRP) — the document that:
Grants legal immunity to all AIC decision-makers;
Permits non-disclosure of conflicts of interest; and
Removes limits on fines and interim sanctions.
These changes have drawn concern among members because they weaken accountability and concentrate authority without external oversight.
Who Should Be Ineligible for the Role
To protect member confidence, current or recent PPC and subcommittee members should be disqualified from applying for the Director position.
This includes individuals presently serving in policy-making or adjudicative roles such as:
Professional Practice Committee (2025):
Andre Pouliot (Chair), Joanne Slaney, Pat Cooper, Larry Dybvig, Allan Beatty, Peter Lawrek, Cliff Smirl, David Simes, Deana Halladay, Thomas Fox, and Terry Brooke.
Investigating Working Group:
Terry Brooke (Chair), Chris Marlyn, Maryanne Espie, Peter McLean, Steven Gomes, Hugo Généreux, Lisa Campbell, Ian Day, Eric Tworo, Alireza Alvandi, Daniel Harvey, Brian Varner, and Daniel Doucet.
Adjudicating Working Group:
Pat Cooper (Chair), Dan Jones, Femi Rufus, Grant Uba, Simon Chin, Stephen Waqué, Kenneth Young, Marc Dallaire, Michael Fox, Sandra Behm, and William Gibbs.
Appeal Working Group:
Larry Dybvig (Chair), John Shevchuk, Carl Nilsen, Stan Jugovic, Ray Bower, Jeff Lynch, Barton Bourassa, and Charles Johnstone.
Standards Subcommittee:
Deana Halladay (Chair), Dianna LeBreton, Brian Varner, Dan Brewer, Stephen Kooyman, John Farmer, Kari Benum, Rosa Villacob, Scott McEwen, and Jeff Thompson.
These names are listed as published by AIC, not to allege wrongdoing, but to highlight the overlap between those who designed, interpreted, and enforced the new disciplinary policy.
Best Practice Recommendations for the Hiring Process
Independent, merit-based search
Use an external recruitment firm with no prior AIC affiliation.
Evaluate candidates on administrative law, regulatory governance, and procedural fairness expertise — not internal tenure.
Conflict-free eligibility
Exclude anyone involved in drafting or approving the 2025 Professional Practice Review Policy.
Require written disclosure of all past AIC committee or advocacy roles.
Member oversight and transparency
Publish the shortlist of qualified candidates.
Allow members to provide written feedback before the appointment is finalized.
Governance separation
The Director must report to the CEO and independent oversight board, not to the Professional Practice Committee.
Why Members Should Care
The new Professional Practice Review Policy fundamentally changes how members can be disciplined — without independent recourse, disclosure, or cost recovery.
Appointing another insider will only reinforce these problems.
An open, arms-length appointment is the only credible way for AIC to restore integrity to its professional practice system.
Transparency starts with leadership.
A Director chosen through a fair and independent process will help rebuild trust and ensure every AIC member is treated under clear, accountable, and lawful standards.
For background and analysis of the 2025 policy changes, visit
AppraisalDefense.ca
Sincerely,
Shawn P. O’Connor, P. App., AACI, Hon. B. Comm.
Founder, AppraisalDefense.ca
Links to fact check: AIC Consolidated Regulations – 2020
PPRP 2025 AIC PPRP 2025