October 2007 Issue
Compliance
Report a Violation
If you are aware of practice or title violations and you are able to provide evidence (reports, letters, business cards, website addresses, etc.), we encourage you to contact Allison Cammaert at acammaert@apegga.org.
Because the Compliance Department deals with non-members, we do not reveal the source of complaints when making contact.
Editor’s Note: The Compliance Department’s job is to enforce the right-to-practice and right-to-title provisions of the Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act. The department’s focus, therefore, is on individuals and companies that are not registered — those that may be, inadvertently or otherwise, holding themselves out as professional members or practicing the professions illegally.
Statistics in the Activity Report track activity from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31. During this period, a total of 35 practice and title violations were resolved. Six involved individuals and 29 involved companies. Also included in our monthly Compliance report are explanations of the various categories with examples, and the Frequently Asked Question.
Violations are identified primarily out of the Compliance Department’s proactive efforts, and member, public or anonymous complaints with supporting evidence.
Ceased using restricted title/holding out applies to individuals or companies that were using a restricted title or holding out in some other manner as entitled to practice while not licensed. Investigation by the Compliance Department confirmed that the activities were either not the practice of engineering, geology or geophysics, or that the individuals were practicing under the supervision and control of a professional member.
-
APEGGA Examinee candidate using engineering designation and Civil Engineer title in e-mail signature.
-
Individual using the title Engineering Sales while not registered.
-
Life member practicing and using the title Consulting Geologist.
-
Individual using the title Creative Engineer on company website advertising corporate branding.
-
APEGGA membership candidate using the E.I.T. designation before being accepted as a member- in-training.
-
Company without a permit advertising for engi-n-eering positions on its website. The department determined that those hired would not be en-gaging in the practice of engineering, and the company changed the titles.
-
Public complaint received that a company website implies the practice of engineering through the job titles of two individuals. A review of the company revealed its activities do not constitute the practice of engineering and the job titles were revised.
Permits issued/reinstated applies to non-permit-holding companies whose activities constitute the practice of engineering, geology or geophysics, as well as companies whose permits have lapsed or been struck while their activities have not changed. The companies contacted have either obtained a permit to practice or applied for one.
-
Twelve companies involved in oil and gas exploration in Alberta.
-
Amalgamation between permitted company and non-permitted company. Contact by the department resulted in new entity obtaining a permit.
-
Environmental company engaging in the practice of engineering.
-
Company advertising engineering positions in the Calgary Herald.
-
Company employing APEGGA members found on Crown land purchase listing.
Verified not practicing applies to individuals or companies whose activities do not constitute the practice of engineering, geology or geophysics. Websites and all other information are required to be modified to remove all implications of practice. In addition, a disclaimer letter is sent advising that if activities should change in the future to include the practice, a permit will be required.
-
Staff biography indicating an unregistered individual is an “accomplished petroleum geologist.”
-
Four companies listed in the Environmental Services Association of Alberta directory.
-
Incorporated company using the word engineering in its name found in the Alberta Gazette.
-
Two companies with professional members employed found on Crown land purchase listing.
-
A company found to be contracting out engineering work.
Other applies to files resolved for other reasons such as confirmation that an individual or company is already registered with APEGGA; clarification that a company is actually a trade name or a member operating as a sole proprietor; lack of sufficient evidence or information available to further pursue the violation at this time; determination that an exemption under the EGGP Act is applicable.
-
Company with cancelled permit found to be working in association with a permitted company. Investigated to determine possible EGGP Act violations, but confirmed that the company with the cancelled permit is providing administrative support to the permitted company.
-
Company advertising for a geologist position for several projects in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Determined company’s assets have been sold off to various companies.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
Q: Are terms such as sanitation engineer and domestic engineer
violations of the Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act?
A: Part 1, Section 3(1), states that “no individual shall use the word engineer in combination with any other name, title, description, letter, symbol or abbreviation that represents expressly or by implication that the individual, corporation, partnership or other entity is a professional engineer, licensee or permit holder.”
APEGGA is responsible for administering the EGGP Act in a reasonable and responsible manner. APEGGA’s Compliance Department vigorously enforces the use of the word “engineer” in titles whenever the title plus the context of its use would lead the public to believe or to legitimately assume that the title holder is a professional engineer. Terms such as sanitation engineer and domestic engineer, in most contexts, do not lead others to believe that the user is a member of APEGGA nor that the user is certified or licensed to practice engineering.
|