ACROSS CANADA

Recommendations On Equity Issues In Saskatchewan

A task force of Saskatchewan's Women in Engineering Committee has suggested dissolving the committee which, it is noted achieved a number of its objectives, including creating a Women in Engineering Mentoring Program. In making the recommendation, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan task force urged:

• encouraging participation by all Association members in social events sponsored by
  local engineering societies;
  
• continuing support for the Mentoring Women in Engineering Program;
  
• establishing an Equity Committee to address issues related to equity, including
  gender equity;
  
• having professional development activities target the needs of starting and
  re-entering women engineers and geoscientists; and
  
• continuing encouragement for representation on committees from all groups of
  membership.
  
  

Manitoba Registers Geoscientists

Manitoba has proclaimed a new Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act, opening the way for registration of professional geoscientists in that province. The legislation will require approximately 300 geosientists in the province to registered with the newly reconstituted Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba. As a result, APEGM membership is expected to rise to approximately 3,800. The new act also includes other measures, among them ones updating the definitions of the practice of engineering. Other sections of the legislation cover:

• procedures for taking disciplinary actions against former members;
• provisions for mandatory professional development; and
• issuing of certificates for group practices.
  
  

Newfoundland Adopts Carver Model For Governance

The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland (APEGN) has adopted a new governance policy based on the (John) Carver model. APEGGA used the Carver model as a guide when it revamped its governance process several years ago. Generally, the model places greater emphasis on staff overseeing administration, thereby freeing up governing boards or councils to concentrate on long-term planning.

New Brunswick Foundation Seeks Funds

The Foundation for Education, established by the Association of Professional Engineers of New Brunswick has set a $1-million target for its capital fund. The foundation, established in 1994, provides scholarships, bursaries, grants and financial assistance to undergraduate and post-graduate engineering students. The campaign will be targeted at more than 5,000 engineering graduates of the University of New Brunswick and the Universit‚ de Moncton, as well as other friends of the engineering community.

Quebec to Replace E.I.T. With "Junior Engineer"

The Ordre des ing‚nieurs du Qu‚bec expects to replace the term "engineer in training" ("ing‚nieur stagiaire") with the term "junior engineer" ("ing‚nieur junior") in the coming year. OIQ suggests the current term is perceived as inadequate and even pejorative. OIQ also has announced that its experience requirement prior to professional registration will rise to three years, from two years. However, up to four months of credit will be granted for work done during the second half of engineering studies, if such experience is considered adequate.

Judge Heads PEO Task Force

Professional Engineers Ontario's Council has approved the appointment of Justice Douglas H. Carruthers, Q.C., to chair PEO's Admissions, Complaints, Discipline and Enforcement Task Force. PEO Council established the task force in April to recommend improved policies and procedures relating to PEO admissions, complaints, discipline and enforcement functions. Justice Curruthers retired from the Ontario Court of Justice, General Division, in 1997 and was appointed Deputy Judge of the Supreme Court of the Yukon in 1998.

APEGBC Considers Structural Engineers Qualifications Issue

The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia's Council has adopted in principle (but subject to further refinement) the findings of an APEGBC Structural Qualifications Review Task Force. The task force was established in 1997 to make recommendations on a qualification process and specialist designation for structural engineers in B.C. In its report to APEGBC Council, the task force reported strong support in the structural community for some means of ensuring the competency in the practice of structural engineering.

Nunavut Sticks With NAPEGG For Time Being

Council of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of the Northwest Territories agreed that the Nanavut Section of NAPEGG remain as is, once the new Nunavut Territory is carved out of the Northwest Territories April 1, 1999. A change will be made when the Nunavut Section believes it has the numbers and willingness to go it alone. The division of equity will be based on numbers of registrants and the question of representation on NAPEGG Council is being held in abeyance.