John Leech
Sun
The debate on how best to ensure that the public has access to qualified and accountable house inspectors has made for some compelling TV of late. This debate, unfortunately, has not produced solutions.
The minister of public safety and solicitor-general, John Les, has indicated that the public must make informed decisions when selecting a house inspector.
The challenge, as Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer correctly noted, is how to determine which inspectors are competent. This is not easy, given that any group can set up shop and claim to be certified, registered, licensed or accredited, with little or no basis for making such claims. The current approach is not working for consumers.
And while we agree with the minister when he questions the need for the “heavy hand of government,” and the usefulness of industry regulation, the Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of B.C. believe that we have a workable, common-sense solution.
First, we need a balanced approach involving consumer awareness and regulatory reform.
Second, government wants a non-restrictive approach to regulation where consumers are not compelled to engage a house inspector, but when they do they are assured that the inspector is professionally certified and accountable.
Third, we need a uniform standard for certification, a single certification body and the involvement of a broad group of stakeholders and consumers in the process.
Finally, we need to provide industry and those working in the sector time to transition into the new system, so that legitimate people’s livelihoods are not threatened.
How does this roll out in real terms?
First, the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority should be granted the authority to license those house inspectors who choose to seek and achieve professional certification and offer their services as an inspector.
Second, certification should be managed by ASTTBC, the one organization in British Columbia with a government-sanctioned mandate and the organizational capacity to fully govern the certification of house inspectors.
Third, the BPCPA governing board should initiate a broad consumer awareness program.
This model does not compel inspectors to get certified; does not compel consumers to hire an inspector; brings together all key stakeholders to provide oversight for the certification initiative; does not involve a new government bureaucracy or legislation, and enhances consumer awareness.
John Leech is the executive director of the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of B.C., a self-governing professional association of 9,000 technologists, technicians and technical specialists.
© The Vancouver Sun 2006
