November 2009 issue
|
|
Joint Regulation Era Begins
Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong has signed the proclamation — amendments to the Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act have turned the vision of One Act, Two Associations into a reality.
ASET is now a self-regulatory association. With APEGGA, it will jointly regulate a new category of ASET member called Professional Technologist.
Joint regulation is a powerful symbol of a new level of cooperation between APEGGA and ASET, said Neil Windsor, P.Eng., APEGGA Executive Director & Registrar. “Our members and ASET’s members have been working together on effective teams for decades — teams that drive the economy of Alberta. Now, the two associations will work together, too, in this new era of joint regulation.”
“This is great news for our two
organizations and for those technologists qualified to step up to the new level of responsibility self-regulation has to offer,” said Mr. Windsor, “The biggest beneficiary, however, is the
public, who we believe will be better protected through expanded self-
regulation.”
Under the revised EGGP Act, Professional Technologists will have the right to practice independently and use their stamps within, according to the legislation, “a scope of practice that is the routine application of industry recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices using established engineering or applied science principles and methods of problem solving.” These scopes will be tailored for each prospective P.Tech., and must be approved and specified by a new Joint Board of Examiners, made up of an equal number of ASET members and APEGGA professional members, plus at least one public member.
Mr. Windsor said the amended legislation came into being because of the hard work of a number of dedicated individuals. “There are many more people to thank, but I’d like to single out two of our past presidents and two past presidents of ASET.”
David Chalcroft, P.Eng., of APEGGA and Derek Tsang of ASET were the sitting presidents when the One Act, Two Associations Memorandum of Understanding was signed in December 2006. The two past-presidents involved in the negotiations were APEGGA’s Larry Staples, P.Eng., and ASET’s Scott Turner.
“The biggest thank you of all goes out to David Jones, QC, the government-appointed discussion leader. Mr. Jones was a highly effective mediator. He got us all working from the same page, allowing us to come up with a mutually satisfactory framework. This day has become a reality because of his help.”
Mr. Jones was appointed as facilitator by former Assistant Deputy Minister David Wismer, who, together with Director of Professions and Occupations Adrian Pritchard, “played pivotal roles in bringing all the necessary players to the table and establishing a regime under which such outstanding progress could be made after so many years of discord,” said Mr. Windsor.
Mr. Windsor also praised the leadership of the Hon. Clint Dunford, the former minister responsible for the EGGP Act, and the Hon. Hector Goudreau, the current minister, who worked with both associations to seek a mutually agreeable resolution to the matter.
More Info
PEGG Online
October 2009
e-PEGG
Oct. 19, 2009