1. Progress Report -The Montreal Accord 2009
National Standardization for a Professional Agrologist (P.Ag)

2. Table of content Context 2016 Status Agrologists Canada
Provincial Institutes
National Standardization Progress Report
Definition of Agrology
Entrance Requirements
Education
Experience
Areas of Practice
M.O.U. Renewal
Next Steps

3. Context
The Montreal Accord in 2009 was developped to meet the obligations of the AIT – Chap. 7 on Labor Mobility;
Mutual recognition of registered professional agrologists (P.Ags) between provinces has been respected;
There are remaining gaps in the initial entrance requirements and lisencing procedures that need to be addressed and harmonized in order to respect the provincial regulatory mandate of public protection;
New chairs (and councillors) in Provincial Institutes need to receive up to date information and be re-engaged in the process;
The need to refocus and align actions with labor mobility pertinent issues;

4. 2016 Status- Agrologists Canada
Corporation created in 2012
Represent all P.Ags – +>10k in Canada
In 2016, 9 provincial members
National website launched in 2014
One part time General Manager hired in January 2016
Two key objectives:
National Standardization and harmonization of entrance requirements
National Communications to promote the profession of agrology

5. 2016 Status –Provincial Institutes

6. Progress Report – Definition of Agrology
“Agrology is the practice of Bioresource and Economics sciences to provide advice to the Agriculture, Agri-food and Natural Resources Sector and contribute to the health of Society, Environment and Economy”
50% of the provincial institutes have integrated the national definition in their bylaws and documents;
The existing definitions in the remaining provinces do « fit » under the national definition;
More precision and distinction of the practice of agrology should come from a clear description of practice areas that support the definition.

7. Progress Report – Education Requirements
120 credits in fundamental and applied sciences
Fundamental/
foundational
15 credits
Applied science
60 credits in 3 agrology fields
300/400 level
courses
33 credits (min. 24 in agrology)
P&E/legislation/
practice
12 credits
Remaining issue is to ensure:
the 60 credits in applied science, in 3 agrology fields
The 24 credits in 300/400 level in agrology

8. Progress Report = Experience Requirements
Minimum of one year in the practice of agrology (training in, articling or working in)
With supervision or mentoring or professional inspection
Remaining gaps
No uniformity : measurement, process or duration
some articling can be completed in less than < 1 year
The approach of competency profile and competency evaluation needs to be developped

9. Progress Report – Areas of Practice
A common core has emerged – 7 main areas
Remaining lack of uniformity: between 12 and 38 areas of practice described

10. New M.O.U.-2016
To have all the provincial institutes recognize, formally agree and work towards the harmonization of the entrance requirements;
To communicate and promote the national standard to members, educational institutions, stakeholders and the general public;
To inform applicants to any professional agrology institute about what education requirements are necessary to gain entrance into the profession;
To provide a working framework for the national organization (AAC), who is accountable to its members, ie: the provincial institutes.

11. Next Steps
Distribution of the Draft M.O.U. to the AAC Board (June 16th, 2016)
Consultation in each provincial institute (councils) to ensure collaboration and a clear understanding the objectives of the M.O.U. (July-August 2016)
Production of the final version of M.O.U. (September 1st, 2016)
Adoption and signature of M.O.U. at the Annual General Meeting of AAC – September 28-29, 2016