ASET/APEGGA DISCUSSIONS
Communiqué #2 to Members
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October 30, 2006 |
Background
Earlier this year, ASET and APEGGA had
discussions with the government about how engineering and technology should be
regulated in Alberta. The Minister
of Human Resources and Employment, Hon. Mike Cardinal, instructed both organizations
to discuss a regulatory model involving “one Act, two Associations” and
to return to the government with a solution which protects and serves the interests
of all Albertans. The government has provided a mediator to assist in these
discussions.
In mediated discussions in June and August
2006, the two negotiating teams reached a consensus about three basic principles
(which are set out in bold regular type below). These basic principles were accepted by the two Councils,
which in turn communicated them to the members in Communiqué #1 (28 August
2006). Members were invited to provide comments and feedback to the negotiating
teams.
The negotiating teams took this feedback
into account during further mediated discussions in September and October, and
have reached a consensus elaborating on the three basic principles and identifying
a number of transitional issues (which are set out in the italicized text below). Both Councils have reviewed
this communiqué and approved it for issue to Members. Members are
again invited to provide comments and feedback to the negotiating teams.
PRINCIPLE 1: The
professions will be regulated under a “One Act, two Associations” model.
The purpose of regulation is to protect the public and assure competence
across the spectrum of practice.
PRINCIPLE 2A: Certified
technologists practicing under supervision will be regulated by ASET.
This is the status quo.
C.E.T.s, A.Sc.T.s, C.Tech.s and R.E.T.s
who are practising engineering and geoscience under supervision will continue
to be members of and regulated by ASET.
PRINCIPLE 2B: Engineers
and geoscientists practicing independently will be regulated by APEGGA.
This is the status quo.
P.Eng.s, P.Geol.s, P. Geoph.s and R.P.T.s
will continue to be members of and regulated by APEGGA.
PRINCIPLE 2C: Technologists
practising independently will be regulated jointly by ASET and APEGGA.
This is new.
It is proposed to create a new category of technologists who are licensed
to practise independently within a specified scope of practice in accordance
with applicable legislation and industry recognized codes, standards, procedures
and practices through the application of established engineering or applied science
principles and methods of problem solving.
The members in the
new category—provisionally
named Professional Technologist (P.Tech.)—will be members of ASET
and regulated jointly by APEGGA and ASET.
PRINCIPLE 3: All
practitioners under the Act will adhere to a common standard of professionalism.
It is anticipated that the two Associations will:
a) |
Work towards the development of a common
code of ethics. |
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b) |
Have similar regulatory processes for registration,
practice standards, practice review, investigation, discipline and appeals. |
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c) |
Jointly perform the six functions listed in b) for
P.Techs. |
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d) |
Have similar requirements for continuing professional
development. |
TRANSITION
It is anticipated that:
a) |
The R.E.T. designation will be phased out
over time. R.E.T.s
may retain their title, but after a predetermined date no new R.E.T. designations
will be granted. |
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b) |
R.E.T.s and other certified technologists who are interested in practising
independently may apply for registration as a P.Tech.. |
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c) |
R.E.T. status will no longer be required for registration as an R.P.T.,
and R.P.T.s will be members of APEGGA. |
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d) |
The R.P.T. title will be renamed to facilitate national mobility. |
You are invited to provide feedback by sending an email to asetadmin@aset.ab.ca or e-pegg@apegga.org, or
online at: www.aset.ab.ca or www.apegga.org. This
information will be provided to the negotiating teams prior to the next meeting.
The negotiating teams will be meeting again in November and December and are
planning a joint information session for members in the first quarter of 2007.
Negotiating teams
ASET
President Derek Tsang, A.Sc.T.
Past President Scott Turner, R.E.T., CCEP
Executive Director Tim Schultz, M.S.A.,
B.Comm.
APEGGA
President Dave Chalcroft, P.Eng.
Past President Larry Staples, P.Eng.,
Executive Director and Registrar Neil
Windsor, P.Eng.
Mediator
David Jones, Q.C
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