What is a Professional Home Economist?

Member Home Economists (approximately 300 members in Ontario) work in all areas of the public and private sectors. We utilize our specialized education and training to assist people in enhancing their daily lives. A provincial Act respecting the Ontario Home Economics Association recognizes the right of individuals who have met the membership qualifications to use the designation Professional Home Economist (PHEc).This registered status provides for self-regulation of member home economists by their peers via an established code of ethics, rules of professional conduct and standards of practice.

As professionals we are committed to empowering individuals and families with the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a desirable quality of life.

We are educated and knowledgeable in such areas as:

• nutrition

• food production & preparation

• clothing

• child development

• family resource and development

• housing

• consumer issues

• family relationships

Reciprocity agreements have been established with:

• Alberta Human Ecology & Home Economics Association (formerly Alberta Home Economics Association)

• New Brunswick Home Economics Association

• British Columbia Home Economics Association 

• Manitoba Association of Home Economists

These agreements make it possible for the transfer of PHEc status if an OHEA member moves to one of these provinces.

"Who are Ontario Professional Home Economists? - What Do They Do?" - An OHEA publication compiled by Mary Carver, P.H.Ec. and several Ontario Professional Home Economists in response to a question posed by Clarence Lochhead, Executive Director of the Vanier Institute of the Family at OHEA's recent conference in Ottawa.  

Home Economists in Action

A home economist may choose to specialize in one home economics study area or may be a generalist in many facets of home economics. Examples of the fields in which home economists are active include:

• Community Service / Development

• Advertising

• Marketing and Sales

• Product Research

• Food Writing/Editing

• Promotion and Public Relations

• Journalism

• Dietetics

• Media Relations

• Recipe Development/Food Styling

• Co-op Housing

• Teaching

• International Development

• Resource Management

• Textile Design

• Financial Counselling

• Fashion/Craft Editing

• Public Health Nutrition

• Consumer Consulting