Council Sets Association Priorities for 2010

APEGBC’s Council held an intensive two-day planning session in late November to discuss issues of strategic importance to the association and to the professions. One of the key outcomes of the session was the generation of the Council work plan for the coming year. In addition to their regular responsibilities, this year Council will be focusing on the following strategic items:

The Regulation of Engineering and Geoscience Technologists
This issue continues to be a priority for Council as the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC continue to seek the right to independent practice. Changes to requirements for interprovincial mobility for all skilled practitioners have also driven this issue to the forefront. APEGBC would like to ensure that any resulting decisions on this issue are in the public interest and do not compromise public safety. APEGBC’s Council has been examining a number of models currently in place across the country as potential frameworks for how the regulation of technologists might be undertaken in BC. Models currently under examination include:

  1. One Act, One Association - This would see professional engineers, professional geoscientists, licensees and technologists regulated under the same legislation within one organization. The Association of BC Forest Professionals is an association that operates under this type of regulatory framework.
  2. One Act, Two Associations - This model would have all self-regulated engineering and geoscience practitioners regulated under same legislation, but there would be two organizations responsible for administering the same Act. APEGBC would hold responsibility for regulation of professional engineering and professional geoscience, and ASTTBC would hold responsibility for the regulation of those practicing engineering technology. This model has recently been put in place in Alberta.
  3. Two Acts, Two Associations - Under this model, two separate pieces of legislation would exist—one governing the practice of professional engineering and professional geoscience, and the other regulating the work of certified engineering technologists. This model has been in place in Manitoba for some time.

Ultimately any decisions on what framework is put in place will be the decision of the BC government. Over the coming year, Council will continue to consult with stakeholders on this issue and work with government to achieve a resolution that protects the health, welfare and environment of the people of British Columbia.

Non-Practicing Status
Currently, in order for members of APEGBC to hold non-practicing status, they must be out of the workforce with no income from employment or self-employment and commit in writing not to engage in the practice of professional engineering or professional geoscience until released from the commitment. There are a number of issues that arise because APEGBC recognizes members who are working, but not practicing professional engineering or professional geoscience as practicing members. APEGBC’s Council has determined that this matter should be examined further and will therefore be undertaking work on this issue as part of their work plan for 2009/2010.

Act Modernization
The Engineers and Geoscientists Act was first established in 1920, and was last rewritten in 1955. The Association has been working for a number of years to have a complete rewrite of the Act undertaken by government so that it meets the needs of current times. Council will continue work on this initiative this year.

Professional Renewal
In September 2009, the Professional Renewal Task Force delivered its final report which included 38 recommendations. These recommendations have all received Council approval. Recognizing that implementation of many of these recommendations will required additional volunteer, staff and financial resources, Council worked at the planning session to prioritize the order in which the recommendations will be dealt with.

Recommendations identified as the highest priorities are:  

#3 - Promote and enhance the Code of Ethics
#4 - Web interface for registration application tracking
#5 - Develop a registration competency framework
#9 - Develop national compendium of practice guidelines
#10 - Organizational Risk Management
#14 - Mandatory disclosure of practice area
#17 – Position and written materials on engineering and geoscience practice
#18 - Direct supervision
#26 - Alternative dispute resolution
#29 – Sorting and directing of complaints
#30 – Fitness to practice
#34 – Proactive quality assurance

More details on these recommendations can be found in the Report of the Professional Renewal Task Force at www.apeg.bc.ca/prtf.  Over the coming year, Council will be actively involved in the implementation of the recommendations.

Building the Engineering and Geoscience Community
At the Council planning session there was recognition that the focus of APEGBC is often dominated by the “infrastructure disciplines.” The engineering disciplines of civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical and structural make up just over 80% of the membership. Council discussed the need to provide greater support and attention to the “non-infrastructure” focused disciplines and will examine this issue further.

Positioning on Matters of Public Interest
Many professional associations publish Association positions on matters of public interest. This is not currently actively undertaken by APEGBC. At the planning session, Council discussed the benefits of publishing position papers and will be examining the issue further at future Council meetings.

Council is appreciative of the input of Dr. Ralph Sultan, P.Eng. to the planning session. Dr. Sultan is the MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano and he appeared as a guest speaker at this event.