P.Eng. and P.Geo. Registration Resumes
The effect of a BC Supreme Court Judge’s September 21st, 2007 decision declaring one of APEGBC’s registration bylaws invalid has been delayed until March 21, 2008.
The Association had earlier ceased registration of professional members (P.Eng. and P.Geo.) following the judge’s ruling regarding the invalidity of Bylaw 11(e)(2), which sets out the experience requirement for registration.
The judge delayed the effect of his decision on December 14, 2007, as he felt significant harm would be done to applicants who would otherwise have satisfied the Association of their qualification to become members. This allows the Association to resume registration of professional members. Some 189 applicants affected by the September decision will be granted their professional designation as a professional engineer or professional geoscientist immediately.
APEGBC’s ability to register applicants will expire on March 21, 2008 unless other legislation exists to permit continuing registration. In a special bylaw vote, the membership voted 97% in favour of the new registration bylaw, which is now being reviewed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The process, if successful, will be concluded in early February 2008, after which the new bylaw will take effect.