May 2007 ISSUE
regulatory model ballots succeed
 |
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED |
Strong majorities of votes cast by ASET and APEGGA members favour a new regulatory model. The one Act, two Associations regulatory framework, arrived at by a discussion team of ASET and APEGGA, was voted on by members of both organizations in special mail-in ballots held in the first quarter of 2007.
The framework, once it is represented in provincial legislation, will create a new category of ASET membership and bring ASET under self-regulatory legislation.
Of APEGGA special ballots cast, 75.5 per cent had the “yes” box marked in answer to the question, “Should The Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act be amended to create a one Act, two Associations regulatory model, as per the Memorandum of Understanding signed by ASET and APEGGA on December 18, 2006?” In all, 5,657 or 16.4 per cent of APEGGA’s 34,547 professional members eligible to vote did so in the special ballot, with 4,273 answering in the positive.
ASET’s ballot — with a wording identical to APEGGA’s — also garnered strong results in favour, with 2,660 votes or 94 per cent cast in the yes box.
Full councils of the two organizations endorsed the memorandum on Jan. 25. ASET and APEGGA have officially requested that the Alberta Government amend the EGGP Act to accommodate changes outlined in the memorandum.
The Hon. Iris Evans, Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry, said in the Legislature on April 11, “This is an historic day in Alberta.” The minister responsible for the EGGP Act called on MLAs to celebrate “the good work (ASET and APEGGA) have done on behalf of public safety in Alberta.”
An ASET-APEGGA Discussion Team, with the guidance of government-appointed mediator David Jones, QC, arrived at the memorandum after consulting with members through The PEGG and the e-PEGG. A town-hall-style meeting followed, which was held in Edmonton but electronically linked to branches throughout the province.
David Chalcroft, P.Eng., on the cusp of winding up his term as 2006–2007 President of APEGGA, said: “This is an historic day for both organizations. After years of sometimes spirited discussions, we have reached an agreement that both associations can support. The proposals included in the memorandum will serve to enhance public safety and well-being in Alberta.”
ASET President Larry Stone, C.E.T., said, “Legislation giving ASET a regulatory role is a significant development long awaited by Alberta’s technologists and will make our professional members accountable to the public.”
Changes outlined in the memorandum of understanding include
-
shifting ASET from the Societies Act to full legal registration within the EGGP Act
-
developing a new category of ASET member to be known as Professional Technologist, who would be granted a licence to practice engineering independently within a defined scope of practice and within the bounds of existing codes and standards
-
developing several ASET/APEGGA joint boards and committees to regulate the Professional Technologist category of membership.