Appraisal Institute of Canada supports diversity, equality, inclusion
Posted in: News Item
Date Posted: 2021-03-24
Organization Name: Appraisal Institute of Canada
As Canadians continue reflecting on important matters of diversity, equality, and inclusion, Canada’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers has reiterated its efforts to expand opportunities for aspiring appraisers and help combat bias in the real property appraisal process.
Late last fall, the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC) announced the creation of the President’s Council on Diversity. The council had a mandate to promote equity and diversity within the profession. It is the policy of the AIC to foster an environment that respects people’s dignity, ideas, and beliefs within its organization and in the profession at large.
Regarding bias in valuation, the AIC acknowledges that discrimination and bias – both conscious and unconscious – exists in society and is working to ensure it is not reflected in the appraisal process.
One of the objectives of the Council on Diversity – as well as governing documents such as the nationally and internationally recognized Canadian Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, regulations, bylaws, ethics standards, and the complaint resolution process – is to ensure discrimination and bias is eliminated to the greatest extent possible within the AIC membership and throughout the appraisal profession.
Every Canadian needs to do their part by reflecting on their own behaviour and biases and the AIC and its membership are no different. The organization wants to continue to be part of the conversation and solution when it comes to discrimination and bias. Its belief is that appraisers are not market participants but rather providers of unbiased, independent, and professional opinions of value must be true both in words and deeds.
The AIC will continue its work on establishing its Council on Diversity and will explore additional actions to support its commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion. The organization would encourage any individual that feels they have experienced bias in the real property appraisal process to submit a complaint through AIC’s Complaint Resolution Process. AIC also encourages Canadians to consult the Consumer’s Guide to Understanding the Residential Appraisal Process.