November 2006 ISSUE
ASET/APEGGA Discussions
Communiqué #2 to Members
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 practicing 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 practicing 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 practice 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.
b) Have similar regulatory processes for registration, practice standards,
practice review, investigation, discipline and appeals.
c) Jointly perform the six functions listed in b) for P.Techs.
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.
b) R.E.T.s and other certified technologists who are interested in
practicing independently may apply for registration as a P.Tech.
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.
d) The R.P.T. title will be renamed to facilitate national mobility.
You are invited to provide feedback by sending an e-mail 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.