The PEGG

September, 2000

Across Canada

News briefs from associations in other provinces and territories.

New Ontario Advocacy Body

Professional engineers in Ontario have created a new member-services advocacy body, the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) to serve as the voice of the profession and advance the professional and economic interests of engineers.

In a referendum conducted by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), the regulatory body for the profession, 80 per cent of respondents supported establishing the new organization, which, in addition to its advocacy role, will take over providing member services from PEO.

Currently, although PEO performs both regulatory and member-interest functions, the greatest emphasis is on regulation. "In recent years, there has been a mounting desire among professional engineers in Ontario to create a separate organization dedicated to advancing the interests and aspirations of members, and promoting the profession," said Jeremy Cook, P.Eng., the first chair of OSPE.

Patrick Quinn, P.Eng., outgoing PEO president, and Canadian Society for Professional Engineers President Gary Macro, P.Eng., signed a memorandum of understanding on April 15 outlining terms and conditions for the transfer of services and funding support from PEO to OSPE.

Manitoba to Emphasize Certificate of Authorization

The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba will raise awareness about the Certificate of Authorization (C of A), the mechanism for corporate registration in APEGM. Manitoba's Engineering and Geoscientific Professions Act makes provision for Certificates of Authorization.

According to a message from APEGM President John Hosang, P.Eng.: "The intent in the implementation of the C of A is to be unintrusive and as reasonable as possible and still meet the requirements of the Act. The bottom line in this initiative is to issue a licence (C of A) to provide professional services as a corporation. Incumbent upon a C of A holder is the requirement to carry liability insurance."

Mr. Hosang notes that engineering and geoscience practice most commonly is carried out through groups or within corporations, and he adds: "If APEGM is to effectively govern and regulate, it must have some means of accessing information within that group and requiring accountability by that body."

NWT Moves Toward CDP

The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of the Northwest Territories (NAPEGG) Council has called upon the Professional Development Committee to implement a guideline on voluntary professional development at the earliest possible opportunity. The program is very similar to those in Alberta and Prince Edward Island while reflecting "educational access limitations and the unique learning environment of the north." Following the first period of implementation, Council will seek member feedback.