History of the Institute Read a history of the Institute from 1938 - 1988 as published in Canadian Appraiser Magazine. Click here [pdf]

Since its founding in 1938, the Appraisal Institute of Canada has a rich history of supporting its members and promoting the appraisal profession in Canada.  AIC has continued to champion the importance of the valuation professional and has played an integral role in the area of real property valuation. AIC is a strong and vibrant professional organization, continuing to designate new members with the strongest possible educational backgrounds, solid mentored experience and ongoing professional development requirements.

In the early months of 1980 the 2,000th AACI certificate was awarded to M. Berthelot and the 1,000th CRA certificate was granted to R.O. Holmes.  Mr. Holmes went on to achieve his AACI designation in 1987 and continues to be an AIC member.  The first CRA certificate was awarded to Mrs. L.E. Gueland, from Ottawa on August 27, 1970. 

To date 4,149 AACI designations have been granted and 4,077 CRA designations have been granted.  The 4,000th AACI designation was awarded to Tristan Bock of Ontario in March 2006.  Dwayne Chung of British Columbia was the recipient of the 4,000th  CRA designation on February 1, 2008.

THEN & NOW
Using extracts from The History of the Appraisal Institute of Canada produced by AIC in 1988,  we can compare the visions of Institute leaders at various points in history with those of today. 

Then….
“The 50th Anniversary is an excellent opportunity to show what an appraiser is and does – to make our Institute and appraising better known to the general public by members talking to their neighbors down the street and to their neighbor’s neighbor.  Go to your schools and sow the seeds among our young people.  Young Canadians will then know of our Institute and some will perhaps take up a career in real estate appraising.”
Jack Warren, AACI, P.App, AIC President 1987

David Hildebrand, AACI, P.App in 1981 kept his ear to the grass roots, and then went public to comment on matters well within the competence of real estate professionals.  During a two-day media blitz in Toronto, for instance, he appeared on four radio interviews, two television shows and gave six newspaper interviews.

Now….
“AIC’s Marketing Program will showcase how AIC members, as first tier professionals
and leaders in their field, add value to every aspect of the appraisal cycle. 

An appropriate balance will be struck between promoting core appraisal work and the many valuation related advisory services that members may provide.  Further, the program will emphasize the value for public and private sector corporations of hiring AIC members as managers and solution providers. A media road show, not unlike what David Hildebrand undertook in 1981is also planned across Canada in the next 12 months.”
Paul Olscamp, AACI, P.App, Chair, Marketing & Communications Committee

Then….
“Can one be so bold as to predict that, by 2038 we shall be fully recognized throughout Canada, alongside the other established professions?  I believe this will happen”.
Jack Warren, AACI, P.App, AIC President 1987

Now…
“As we, the Real Value Experts in Canada, continue to advance our status as a first tier profession, our foundation of education and experience is proving fundamental and there is no doubt in my mind that we we are well on our way to achieving this nationwide recognition 30 years in advance of Jack Warren’s prediction”
Gordon J. Tomiuk, AACI, P. App, AIC President  2007

Then…
In the early 1940’s “six members of the AIC who had earlier been inspired by Doane’s address (an ASFMRA representative) were the first to qualify as ARA’s.  They had passed rigorous examinations, prepared a demonstration appraisal, and had met the other prerequisites (five years of practical commercial appraisal experience, 250 written appraisals, a university education or its equivalent of four years of “additional reputable experience as an appraiser.”
~ extracted from The History of the Appraisal Institute of Canada Chapter 2, The Taproot 1938-1946 

Now….
“The implementation of a two-step qualification process is a major advance for AIC and its members.  Our designations are held in high regard and those holding them must be held to a high standard.  Qualifying members must have both the experience and qualities that are expected of us.”  
David Highfield, AACI, P.App, Chair, AIC Learning Advisory Committee

Then….
“John A. MacDonald was assessment commissioner for the City of Winnipeg.  As such, he supervised a staff whose duty it was to appraise property for assessments which in total would establish the tax base for the city.  He had previously held a similar position in Edmonton, where he had been active in the local chapter.  Although he himself never qualified for the AACI, he insisted that his staff of over 100 appraisers enroll in the Institute course, and the AACI eventually became the standard professional requirement for the City of Edmonton.  This recognition was strong endorsement of the Institute and the quality of its educational program.  Similar endorsement by the public service at the provincial and federal levels played a major role in establishing the Institute’s credentials and ensuring strong membership demand for years to come.”
~ extracted from The History of the Appraisal Institute of Canada Chapter 3, Going with Growth – 1947-1958

Now….
“As our designated members take advantage of the opportunities available to them, they need education and learning packages that match the valuation advisory expertise demanded by clients. The public, and our clients, need to know that members that hold either the CRA or AACI designations bring the skills of a first tier professional.”
George Maurice, AACI, P.App, AIC President 2008

Then….
“Increasingly, it was the nucleus of members who shouldered the burden of committee work, who demanded a quality educational program that insisted on strict standards of professional ethics and the discipline of unworthy peers.” 

“December 11, 1959, the national Ethics Committee reported its first infraction of the Code of Ethics to Council, who directed that it be investigated.”  
~ extracted from The History of the Appraisal Institute of Canada Chapter 3, Going with Growth – 1947-1958

Now….
One of the hallmarks of true self-regulation of a profession is the ability to regulate the affairs of members for matters relating to professional conduct, competence and discipline.  Today, as then raising the professional competence of members by their peers stands out as the cornerstone of the profession and the AIC. 
Peter Lawrek, AACI, P.App Chair, Adjudicating Committee

September 7, 2011