Minister Kicks Off National Engineering and Geoscience Week in BC
(From left) President Timothy Smith, P.Geo., Eng.L. (second from left) with the Hon. Pat Bell, Hon. Murray Coell, Hon. Ida Chong, Hon. Kevin Falcon, Past President Dr. Bob Ito, P.Eng., MLA Ralph Sultan, P.Eng., Hon. Claude Richmond, and the Hon. John Van Dongen.
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On Monday February 26, 2007, Minister of Advanced Education Murray Coell launched National Engineering and Geoscience Week (NEGW) in BC at an informal breakfast organized by APEGBC at the Empress Hotel in Victoria.
In attendance were a number of elected ministers, deputy ministers, and APEGBC Councillors and executive staff. Minister of Transportation, Kevin Falcon was present; as was Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Pat Bell; Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, John Van Dongen; Minister of Community Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors’ and Women’s Issues, Ida Chong; and Minister of Employment and Income Assistance, Claude Richmond.
In his remarks, Minister Coell, whose ministry is responsible for the Engineers and Geoscientists' Act, said that he was looking forward to a renewed and ongoing partnership with the Association.
President Timothy Smith, in his speech, told attendees that the Association was proud to be a partner of the government in ensuring public health and safety in BC. He said that engineers and geoscientists were ready and willing to be a resource to advise on sustainable practice and environmental issues.
On behalf of the Association, President Smith expressed his appreciation for the government’s collaboration on key projects, such as the Pilot Project for Internationally Trained Engineers and the Seismic Retrofit Upgrades for Schools. He also noted the recent $50,000 in funding contributed to the Seismic Slope Stability Assessment Guidelines.
To thank Minister Coell for attending and for kicking off NEGW, President Smith presented the Minister with a popsicle stick bridge built by nine-year old Ryan Guscott of Richmond, an example of what BC children create at locally hosted National Engineering and Geoscience Week events throughout the province.
Guests at the breakfast viewed interactive displays on sustainability, mining, seismic retrofit upgrades in schools, and National Engineering and Geoscience Week. One of the most popular exhibits consisted of Association artifacts including a hand-written register containing the names of the first 1,200 members of the Association of Professional Engineers of BC in 1920, along with old slide rules, levels and formula books.
National Engineering and Geoscience Week is an annual celebration of professional engineering and geoscience, held February 24 - March 4, this year. Local events held across the country provide excellent opportunities to raise public awareness of the significant contributions made by engineering and geoscience professionals, while highlighting the exciting career opportunities available to young Canadians.
 This display includes a hand-written register of the first 1,200 members of the Association of Professional Engineers in 1920, old levels, formula books and slide rules. |