APEGGA Offers to Partner with Technologists
In 2005 the Alberta Society of Engineering Technologists (ASET) submitted a change of name to the Corporate Registry of the Government of Alberta, the agency responsible for the Societies Act. Despite the objections of APEGGA and other professional associations, approval was received for a change of name to the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta.
APEGGA’s primary concern was the use of the words “engineering” and “professional” together in this name, which has significant potential to confuse the public as they might perceive that members of ASET are licensed to provide services independently.
On January 30, 2006 ASET appeared before the government’s Standing Policy Committee on Education and Employment to request a new act for all “applied science, information and engineering technologists” that would make ASET a regulator of technologists holding the right to practise independently and accept responsibility for their work.
On March 21 the Pro 10 group (APEGGA and nine other professional groups in Alberta) made separate presentations to the Standing Policy Committee jointly addressing concerns about the name change as well as the proposal to make ASET a regulator of a wide range of technologists, many of whom are already provided for under existing legislation that regulates professional groups.
APEGGA, in addressing specific concerns for the proposed legislation, rejected the concept of independent legislation and instead suggested partnering with ASET under a one act, two association model. APEGGA’s proposal is three-part:
1. Government to reject separate legislation for technologists (ASET is currently constituted under the Societies Act and does not have separate legislation). (In BC, ASTTBC has had separate right to title legislation since 1985.)
2. The Engineering, Geology and Geophysics Professions Act, which governs APEGGA, be amended to include ASET, which would have right to title and a regulatory role in relation to technologists practising under supervision. APEGGA and ASET would jointly regulate technologists who may be qualified to practise independently.
3. A government-appointed mediator be requested to work with APEGGA and ASET to develop a mutually acceptable solution within a specific time frame.
Details of the proposal can be found on the APEGGA website at www.apegga.com/ASET/default.html.