INNOVATION January-February 2013

LNG Export for BC • Biomedical Engineering Education • SR&ED Tax Credit Program

JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS OF BC

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

New APEGBC CEO and Registrar Ann English, P.Eng.

Capacity Building for Sustainable Mining

Wireless Power Monitoring

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content s

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 20 13 [ vol .17 no .1]

features 16

New Leadership for APEGBC: CEO and Registrar Ann English, P.Eng. Melinda Lau

19 Capacity Building in the Developing World: The Continuing Evolution of Sustainable Mining Dr. Malcolm Scoble, P.Eng. 23 Canadian Innovation and the SR&ED Program Roz Seyednejad, P.Eng. 26 Awesense’s Wireless Monitoring for Power Grids Goes International Jean Sorensen 29 A Short History of Biomedical Engineering Education in British Columbia Dr. Andrew Rawicz, P.Eng. 32 LNG Export from BC: Opportunities and Challenges Dr. Zoher Meratla, P.Eng.

news 4

President’s Viewpoint – The Profile of Engineering and Geoscience in BC

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Association Notes – Innovation Gets a Fresh Start in 2013; Have You Declared Your CPD?; Providing References for Registration Applicants; Council Election Call for Nominations; APEGBC Volunteers May Qualify for Engineers Canada Fellowship; Members Invited to Share Intercultural Engineering Project Experiences; Online Game Encourages Students to Try Engineering Careers; National Engineering and Geoscience Month 2013; Call for Nominations: Environmental and Sustainability Awards, President’s Awards, Mentor of the Year

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Council Report – November 30, 2012

ON THE COVER: APEGBC’s new CEO and Registrar, Ann English, P.Eng. Photo: Andrea Sunderland.

depar tment s

6 Letters 6 Newsmakers 35 APEGBC Professional Development 36 Discipline and Enforcement 37 Membership 41 Professional Services 46 Careers 47 Datebook

National Engineering and Geoscience Month 11

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 VOLUME 17 NUMBER 1

v iewpoint

I sometimes hear that the stature and profile of our two professions— engineering and geoscience—need improvement. It is worthwhile reflecting on some of the factors that may have a bearing on these— both for better and worse—and thereby make an assessment of what might be done to improve them. As major benefits to our profile, our professions are key drivers of job creation, wealth creation, productivity increases and economic development. Engineering marvels are increasingly portrayed on television. We have a rigorous regulatory environment that assures the highest standards of public safety, thus enabling solutions that are safe, cost effective, sustainable and socially acceptable. And our professions are amongst a minority that require baccalaureate degrees (Apart from leading to engineering and geoscience careers, they provide an excellent base as well for careers in other realms.) On the other hand, there are a number of challenges associated with our profile. In my opinion, engineering is insufficiently introduced in schools; teachers are usually not engineers, and engineering is often viewed as akin to science, whereas the two disciplines are very different, especially with respect to the role of design. Einstein stated: “Scientists investigate that which already is; engineers create that which has never been.” And, although geoscience is indeed a science, professional geoscience has a strong focus on application and professionalism— more so than some other science disciplines—and this is insufficiently understood and appreciated. Engineering and geoscience are often associated with disasters, failures and negative environmental and societal impacts. Such perceptions are unfortunate since these disciplines are in fact the best means of preventing or limiting failures, minimizing environmental impacts, assuring sustainable development, and balancing competing societal needs in a rational and thoughtful way—for example with respect to energy or urban development. As well, our disciplines may be perceived as providing careers that are less well suited to women; engineers may sometimes be perceived as unduly conservative and low key; and finally, there are insufficient engineers and geoscientists in leadership positions. The above analysis reveals where efforts may be directed to enhancing our profile. First, more can be done with messaging and advocacy, directed in part to the high schools. Likewise, efforts are needed to promote the attractions of our professions to women, and to increase the number of women in both disciplines. Our image could also be benefit in the following way: while the high tech sector has come across as exciting, innovative and entrepreneurial, its engineers are less closely engaged with the engineering profession; therefore, our association’s embrace of the high tech sector, becoming more relevant to it and promoting it, may have the added benefit of enhancing our image. Finally, there needs to be an increased focus on leadership development—both at universities and beyond—so as to assure that a greater number of engineers and geoscientists maintain a big-picture perspective, are engaged in strategic thinking, are active in public speaking, and eventually move into leadership positions both within the professions and in public life. Overall, I am optimistic that, while our stature and profile are certainly sound, they can be enhanced notably over the long term.

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC Suite 200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC Canada V5C 6N2 Tel: 604.430.8035 Fax: 604.430.8085 E-mail: apeginfo@apeg.bc.ca Internet: www.apeg.bc.ca Toll free: 1.888.430.8035

2012/2013 COUNCIL, APEGBC P resident M.D. Isaacson, P.Eng., PhD V ice P resident M.B. Bapty, P.Eng., FEC P ast P resident J.H. Holm, P.Eng., FEC

The Profile of Engineering and Geoscience in BC

COUNCILLORS A.E. Badke, P.Eng.; S.M. Carlson, P.Eng.; J.J Clague, P.Geo. PhD; A Fernandes, CIM, FCSI; H. Hawson, P.Eng., FEC; D.M. Howes, P.Eng.; H.G. Kell,y P.Eng.; G.D. Kirkham, P.Geo.; J. Martignago; A.J. Mill, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC; K.E. Savage, P.Eng., FEC; M. Waberski, BCLS; M.C. Wrinch, P.Eng., PhD; S. Wynn, PhD

ASSOCIATION STAFF A.J. English, P.Eng. C hief E xecutive O fficer and R egistrar T.M.Y. C hong, P.Eng. C hief R egulatory O fficer and D eputy R egistrar J.Y. Sinclair C hief O perating O fficer M.L. Archibald D irector , C ommunications and S takeholder E ngagement J. Cho, CGA D irector , F inance and A dministration D. Gamble D irector , I nformation S ervices A. Lim A/ D irector , M ember S ervices P.R. Mitchell, P.Eng. D irector , P rofessional P ractice , S tandards and D evelopment D. Olychick D irector , M ember S ervices G.M. Pichler, P.Eng. D irector , R egistration G.A. Thiele, LLB D irector , L egislation , E thics and C ompliance R.M. F ilipiak, P .Eng. A ssociate D irector , A dmissions V. Lai, CGA A ssociate D irector , F inance and A dministration J.J.G. Larocque, P.Eng., LLB A ssociate D irector , P rofessional P ractice

Dr. Michael Isaacson, P.Eng. President

Melinda Lau M anaging E ditor

EDITORIAL BOARD S. Chiu, P.Eng.; R. Gupta, P.Eng., P h D; C.L. Hall, P.Geo.; S.K. Hayes, P.Eng.; K.S. Hirji, P.Eng.; M.A. Klippenstein, P.Eng.; I. Kokan, P.Eng.; M.E. Leslie, P.Eng.; B. Thomson, P.Geo., FEC (Hon)

president@ apeg.bc.ca

Advertising material should reach the publication by the 5th of the preceding month (e.g., January 5 for the Jan/Feb issue).

Advertising Contact: Gillian Cobban Tel: 604.929.6733 Fax: 604.929.6753 E-mail: advertising@apeg.bc.ca

Design/Production: Fusion FX Design & Marketing Inc Printed in Canada by Mitchell Press Ltd on recycled paper

Subscription rates per issue $4.50; six issues yearly $25.00. Annual subscriptions of Association members are apportioned from membership dues in the amount of $15 per member (rates do not include tax). Innovation is published six times a year by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia. As the official publication of the Association, Innovation is circulated to members of the engineering and geoscience professions, architects, contractors and industrial executives. The views expressed in any article contained herein do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Council or membership of this Association. Submission Guidelines: Innovation encourages unsolicited articles and photos. By submitting material to Innovation, you grant Innovation a royalty-free, worldwide license to publish the material in Innovation magazine; and you warrant that you have the authority to grant such rights and have obtained waivers of all associated moral rights. Innovation reserves the right to edit the material for length, clarity and conformity with our editorial guidelines (www. apeg.bc.ca/resource/innovation/editorial.html) and is under no obligation to publish any or all submissions or any portion thereof including credits. All material is copyright. Please contact the Managing Editor for reprint permission.

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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Innovation, Suite 200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC V5C 6N2.

US Postmaster: Innovation (ISSN 1206-3622) is published bimonthly for $25.00 per year by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, c/o US Agent-Transborder Mail, 4708 Caldwell Rd E, Edgewood, WA 98372-9221. Periodicals postage paid at Puyallup, WA, and at additional mailing offices, US PO #007-927. POSTMASTER send address changes (covers only) to Innovation, c/o Transborder Mail, PO Box 6016, Federal Way, WA 98063-6016.

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THERE’S A LEADER INSIDE OF YOU WAITING TO BE PROMOTED.

Darren, MOT MBA 2009

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ENGAGING THE WORLD.

l et ter s

Letters to the editor containing your views on topics of interest are encouraged. Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily endorsed by APEGBC. Letters should be 300 words or less and can be e-mailed to mlau@apeg.bc.ca.

Making a Choice While There’s Still One to Make I read with interest the letter from Niall Parker, P.Eng., and he does proffer some valid questions. I’d like to offer a different perspective. I was on the council of APEGA (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta) when the subject of “continuing competence” was brought forward by the Alberta Government. As most of the other professions in the province already had such a program, APEGA felt it had a choice to make—implement a program acceptable to the government, or the government would impose one. We wisely decided that the former was the better option. There was spirited discussion at Council meetings about how continuing competence could be assured with a program, whether voluntary or mandatory. Council came to the realization that Continuing Professional Development would ensure that members undertook activities in areas that at least held the pos- sibility of members continuing to learn throughout their careers. The assumption was made that all members demonstrated de facto continuing competence by virtue of remaining gainfully employed—the job market looked after that.

The program was implemented on a mandatory basis right from the start, but not without considerable resistance from members. At most of the consultation meetings the majority of members attending were opposed to it. That sentiment contin- ued for quite some time, and numerous members continued to express their displeasure until eventually they resigned them- selves to the fact that the program was not going to go away. To be fair, there were members who supported the initiative, but the overall sense was more negative than positive. To deal with those who refused to comply, APEGA subse- quently introduced cancellation of registration. Some 16 years later, there are only rare instances of someone complaining about the need to comply with the program. I would suggest that the membership of APEGBC should wholeheartedly embrace the program they designed and imple- mented, lest government decide they can do a better job of it. John Wood, P.Eng. New Westminster, BC

n ewsmaker s

Recent Appointments

Opus DaytonKnight is pleased to welcome to our team:

APEGBC Members Recognized by Mining Community

Timothy Phelan, P.Eng., P.E. Central Okanagan Manager

Five APEGBC members were honoured by the BC mining community at the 2012 Association for Mineral Exploration BC (AME BC) awards presented as a part of Mineral Exploration Roundup, January 28-31, 2013. Rob Carne, P.Geo., and Bill Wengzynowski, P.Eng., were recipients of the H.H. “Spud” Huestis Award for excellence in prospecting and mineral exploration. They were recog- nized particularly for their roles in the recent discovery and development of the Rackla Gold Belt in east central Yukon. The E.A. Scholz Award for excellence in mine develop- ment was awarded to David Fawcett, P.Eng., and Mark Fields, P.Geo., for their role in the rebirth of the coal mining indus- try in northeastern British Columbia through their efforts in establishing new coal mines in the coalfield. The recipient of the Gold Pan Award for Exceptional Meritorious Service to the Mineral Exploration Community through the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia was Dr. Robert Stevens, P.Geo. Stevens has been a director of AME BC since 2001 and was the association chair in 2008 and 2009. In 2011, Stevens was the recipient of the C.J. Westerman Memorial Award, APEGBC’s highest honour for a professional geoscientist.

Timothy Phelan has joined our Kelowna office as the Central Okanagan Manager providing municipal engineering services to the greater Okanagan and Kootenay areas. Tim has over 20 years experience in water and wastewater consulting, specializing in water treatment and

disinfection technologies, process design, transmission, and project management. His experience in the western U.S. and B.C. include high profile projects for Metro Vancouver, City of Portland, and several major utilities in southern California.

Stephen Burns, P.Eng., PMP, C.Eng., MICE Central Alberta Manager

Stephen Burns has undertaken the role of Central Alberta Manager, with a mandate to expand our capabilities throughout Alberta. He will oversee offices in Calgary and Red Deer. Stephen has over 20 years of broad-based civil engineering experience in water and wastewater, and has worked in both the private and public sectors in the UK, Ireland and Canada.

www.opusdaytonknight.com

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Providing References for

Innovation Gets a Fresh Start in 2013

Registration Applicants Professional members providing references for applicants to APEGBC have always played an important role in the application process. With the implementation of a new assessment process, your words carry more weight than they ever have before. Registration Process Re-engineering recommendations approved by Council in 2011 and 2012 have resulted in even greater emphasis on references to assist APEGBC’s registration staff to channel applications into review process streams aimed at reducing application review time and making the best use of volunteer resources. References are critical to completing an application for professional registration. What is said on the reference is now even more important as it can reduce or increase the time it takes to review an applicant’s experience. Completing the checkboxes on the form is helpful, but adding comments helps the reviewer to tell if an applicant’s skills and competencies for professional registration are good, excellent or in need of improvement, and is crucial to the process followed

If you’ve noticed that Innovation is looking a little different this issue, you’re not mistaken. This year we’ve made a number of subtle updates intended to freshen up the magazine, now in its 17 th year. The most notable of these changes is perhaps the re-introduction of punctuation of the P.Eng. and P.Geo. designations, as well as titles and other abbreviations. First introduced in the BC Professional Engineer journal (the forerunner to Innovation ) in 1979, dropping the periods from the designations was intended as a measure to simplify and save editorial space. Now, with the goal of greater consistency with the official mark held by Engineers Canada, the dots have been re-instituted. “PEng” is now “P.Eng.” once again within the pages of Innovation . Other changes introduced to Innovation this year include larger type and more consistent font use for ease of reading, as well as editorial style more reflective of contemporary usage. Innovation is distributed to an audience of more than 28,000 APEGBC member and non-member readers. Members receive a print copy of the magazine via post, or can opt to receive their copy via e-mail by logging into the member portal at www.apeg.bc.ca and updating their delivery preferences. Have You Declared Your CPD? Don’t forget to declare your continuing professional development (CPD) hours for the 2012 calendar year. APEGBC’s online public member directory includes a “Declared CPD Compliant” note recognizing members who are complying with the CPD Guideline. If you did not indicate compliance with the CPD Guideline during your membership renewal and would like to update your member record, you can do so online through the APEGBC website by signing into the Member Log-in area. Just look for “CPD Reporting” and you will be asked to indicate your compliance and report your professional development hours.

and the ultimate registration decision. Without comments to back up the checkboxes on the reference form, it’s difficult for reviewers to determine if an applicant is ready to be registered or if they need more experience in one or more areas. Comments on reference forms are taken very seriously and should reflect the referee’s opinions on the applicant’s experience and readiness for registration or licence be they negative, constructively critical or positive. Below is a “Good, Better, Best” guide to completing reference forms or the equivalent fields in the online competency-based assessment system. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Registration Support Desk at 604.412.4856 or register@apeg.bc.ca. Good 3. In your opinion, does the applicant apply engineering/geoscience principles in a knowledgeable and accurate manner? Yes X No Better 3. In your opinion, does the applicant apply engineering/geoscience principles in a knowledgeable and accurate manner? Yes X No Alex is a competent engineer. Best 3. In your opinion, does the applicant apply engineering/geoscience principles in a knowledgeable and accurate manner? Yes X No During his rotation, Alex applied complex electrical engineering concepts and was able to undertake detailed analysis of problems posed and complete the project with a robust design solution.

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APEGBC is governed by a Council of elected members, licensees and government appointees responsible for setting policy and overseeing the affairs of the association as regulated by the Engineers and Geoscientists Act . Every year members and limited licensees have the opportunity to elect a president, vice president, and a minimum of five councillors to serve on APEGBC’s Council. Candidate Eligibility Professional engineers, professional geoscientists and limited licensees are eligible for candidacy in the upcoming Council election. Under Bylaw 3(b), Nominating Committee candidates for the office of President must have served on Council for at least two years, and candidates for the office of Vice President must have served one year. Term of Office President and vice president are elected for a one-year term and councillors generally for a two-year term. Terms of office will commence October 26, 2013. Time Commitment Anticipate two to three days per month, including: • One and a half days of orientation for new Council members. • Six full-day Council meetings per year with two to four hours reading preparation. • Two-day Council planning session held in Fall 2013. • Committees and task forces: up to six meetings per year plus preparation time as chair or member of at least one key committee, and chair or member of one or more task forces as required by Council. • Attendance at occasional branch meetings in their local area. • Half-day annual general meeting and participation in two-day annual conference events (professional development sessions, networking events, branch representatives meeting, student representative meeting) held in October. • Individual travel considerations can add time to the above commitments. In addition, the President and/or Vice President will be expected to represent the association provincially and nationally as required. Nomination Process There are two ways candidates can be nominated: 1. Nominating Committee Candidates: The APEGBC Nominating Committee selects candidates for nomination based on candidate qualifications, experience and expertise (see sidebar). The Nominating Committee is accepting referrals for nominations and will meet from January to April to select the candidates it will support for election to Council. Members and limited licensees are encouraged to submit expressions of interest or referrals directly to the Chair of the Nominating Committee, Jeff Holm, P.Eng., FEC, at pastpresident@apeg.bc.ca. All referrals will be contacted to confirm their interest. Referrals must be received by Thursday, March 7, 2013. Shortlisted prospective nominees will be requested to provide a completed Prospective Nominee Profile and Declaration Form by Thursday, April 4, 2013. 2. Write-In Candidates: Members can submit a nomination form with the support of 25 members or limited licensees in good standing to the Registrar. Nominations made by 25 members or limited licensees in good standing require a nomination form signed by the members or limited licensees making the nomination, and the written consent of the nominee. These documents must be received by the Registrar no later than Friday, June 21, 2013. Nomination forms and information on the nomination process are available on the APEGBC website at www.apeg.bc.ca/aboutus/nominationcriteria.html or by contacting Simmarin Manhas at smanhas@apeg.bc.ca, 604.412.6059 or 1.888.430.8035 ext. 6059. Voting packages containing the nominee statements of candidacy will be available to all members in late August and the election count will take place in October. Council Election Call for Nominations

Candidate Profile Required Qualifications

All candidates must be members in good standing (P.Eng., P.Geo., Limited Licensees). Desired Experience/Expertise • Recent volunteer work within APEGBC at the committee, division, branch, or task force level • A minimum of three years practicing as a professional • Some experience at a policy and strategic level • Business and financial management experience • Volunteer work with other organizations • Ability to communicate effectively and act productively in a team environment • Ability to be pragmatic yet visionary • Have the desire and ability to lead others Jeff Holm, P.Eng., FEC Council Appointees Lindsay Bottomer, P.Geo., FEC (Hon.) Angus English, P.Eng. Glenn Pellegrin, P.Eng., FEC Central Interior Don Williams, P.Eng. Fraser Valley Martin Fandrich, P.Eng. Okanagan TBA Sea to Sky Horst Unger, P.Eng. Tri-City TBA Vancouver 2013 Nominating Committee Members Chair

Yuko Suda, P.Eng. Vancouver Island Lee Rowley, P.Eng. West Kootenay Elroy Switlishoff, P.Eng.

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APEGBC Volunteers May Qualify for Engineers Canada Fellowship To honour individuals who have given noteworthy service to the engineering profession, the national organization of the 12 provincial and territorial associations that regulate the practice of engineering in Canada—Engineers Canada—created the Engineers Canada Fellowship. APEGBC volunteers may be eligible to receive this distinction. Engineers Canada Fellowships may be conferred upon individuals who have given noteworthy service in one of five categories, one of which is to have served the engineering profession in a volunteer capacity for at least 10 years. The total length of service can be a combination of service on Engineers Canada boards and committees or service as a volunteer for an Engineers Canada constituent member, e.g., APEGBC, APEGA, etc. APEGBC would like to identify all members who qualify for this honour. If you have served the engineering profession as described above for at least 10 years, please visit www.apeg.bc.ca/ecf/ and complete your application by Tuesday, February 12, 2013. Engineers and non-engineers upon whom this honour is bestowed will receive a certificate and a pin, and are awarded the use of the distinction “Engineers Canada Fellow – FEC” or “Engineers Canada Honorary Fellow – FEC (Hon).

Members Invited to Share Intercultural Engineering Project Experiences APEGBC, ASTTBC, BCIT and Camosun College are partnering to develop a course on intercultural engineering for BC engineers and technologists. To gather case studies, course designers are seeking to speak with individuals willing to share their experiences of working on multicultural teams or as a part of a technology or engineering project whose outcome was affected by non-technical considerations such as culture and language. Participation would take less than an hour by e-mail or phone. The names of companies and individuals will be changed for anonymity unless participants indicate otherwise. This BCCampus-sponsored online course will examine the role of culture and language in technology and engineering projects, including international development projects. Case studies will be used to analyze the ways in which non- technical considerations may affect project success or failure. APEGBC members’ input will be instrumental in shaping the course, which is intended to prepare new engineers for a global workplace. To share your experiences in intercultural engineering, contact Joyce van de Vegte, P.Eng., by phone at 250.370.4438 or e-mail at vandevegte@camosun.ca.

Online Game Encourages Students to Try Engineering Careers The EnGenious project is finding a way to acquaint junior high students with engineering through familiar means. This national outreach project includes an engineering video game to provide a fun, interactive medium for students to explore engineering careers, as well as a career website to provide resources to teachers and parents. Led by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), EnGenious is a joint project of Engineers Canada and the provincial and territorial engineering associations. The online game features 10 mini-games featuring six engineering disciplines and a broad range of industries, as well as game avatars that players can create and customize. The game was developed with Pulp Studios Inc. and Gskinner.com. The career website for EnGenious will serve as a one-stop classroom resource, providing tips for classroom use, in-class engineering activities, outreach info that is relevant to the educator’s region and video game instructions. It also provides information to the public on types of engineers, what engineers do, where they work, and steps and support needed to become an engineer. Launching at the end of February 2013, EnGenious can be found online at www.engenious.ca.

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National Engineering and Geoscience Month 2013

APEGBC is gearing up for National Engineering and Geoscience Month (NEGM)! Held yearly in March, this month-long event promotes awareness of engineering and geoscience, highlights career choices in these fields and reminds the public of the relevance of engineering and geoscience to everyday life. In addition to supporting events and activities, APEGBC is promoting NEGM through radio ads as well as published materials in local and regional newspapers to raise awareness of the professions.

2013 Science Games The APEGBC Science Games will be held at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and Museum of Vancouver on March 2. This science competition for students in Grades 1-6 promotes science education and science- based careers. NEGM Drawing Contest This drawing contest for children ages 4-12 encourages them to think about careers in the sciences and use their creative skills. A $50 Chapters gift card goes to the winner. Visit the NEGM website for more information and contest forms. Waterworks Challenge calls on APEGBC members, and engineering and geoscience undergraduate students to go head-to-head in a team challenge. Teams will be asked to design and build a small water-transporting apparatus with a variety of mystery items from a kit supplied by APEGBC. The team that can move water the fastest will take home the Waterworks Challenge trophy, a bag of APEGBC swag, and, furthermore, a donation will be made in the winning team’s name to a local science- related charity. Think you’re up for the challenge? More instructions will be available in mid-February. Watch the NEGM website for more information. Then and Now Photo Campaign APEGBC is running a photo campaign highlighting how our members were inspired as children to choose a career in engineering or geoscience. In January, members were invited to submit a photo of themselves as children exploring engineering and geoscience concepts (playing with building blocks or water, digging in the sand, etc.), and another photo of themselves working in their profession. The photos will be posted on APEGBC’s NEGM website and some may be selected for use in APEGBC career and public awareness material. For the latest on National Engineering and Geoscience Month events and activities, visit our website at www.apeg.bc.ca/negm/. APEGBC Waterworks Challenge Taking place throughout March, the

Prince George Pine Centre Mall, Food Court Fort Nelson R.L. Angus Elementary School Coquitlam Douglas College, David Lam Campus Surrey Kwantlen Polytechnic University Kelowna UBC-Okanagan Engineering Building Atrium Fort St. John Dr. Kearney Middle School Sechelt Senior Citizens Centre Vancouver Vancouver Public Library, Downtown Burnaby Burnaby Public Library, Metrotown Richmond Lansdowne Mall

16th Annual Ultimate Bridge Building Contest Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition

Central Interior Branch www.apeg.bc.ca/ci Peace River Branch www.apeg.bc.ca/pr Tri-City Branch www.apeg.bc.ca/tc Richmond/Delta Branch www.apeg.bc.ca/rd Fraser Valley Branch www.apeg.bc.ca/fv

February 23 Noon

February 23 10 am–2 pm

March 2 Noon

Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition

March 2 Time TBD

Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition

March 2 10 am–1 pm

Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition

March 7 3–5 pm

Annual Edible Car Competition

Okanagan Branch www.apeg.bc.ca/ok

March 8–9 10 am–2 pm

Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition

Peace River Branch www.apeg.bc.ca

March 17 Time TBD

Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition

Sea-to-Sky Branch www.apeg.bc.ca/ss

March 23 10 am–4pm

Vancouver Branch www.apeg.bc.ca/van Burnaby/New Westminster Branch www.apeg.bc.ca/bn

E-Fest

March 23 Time TBD

Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition Tour of Spider Agile, Dinner and Technical Presentation Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition

Kelowna Spider Agile Technology

March 28 5pm–9pm

Okanagan Branch www.apeg.bc.ca/ok

Tumbler Ridge Tumbler Ridge Elementary North Vancouver Capilano Mall

April 5 10 am–2 pm

Peace River Branch www.apeg.bc.ca/pr

April 7 Time TBD

Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition

Sea-to-Sky Branch www.apeg.bc.ca/ss

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Call for Nominations 2013 APEGBC Environmental and Sustainability Awards Nominations are now being accepted for APEGBC’s Environmental Awards and Sustainability Award. Environmental Awards APEGBC’s Division of Environmental Professionals encourages submissions for the Environmental Awards, which highlight the role of engineers and geoscientists in responsible environmental management. Awards are offered in two categories: 1) Concept and Assessment; 2) Design, Construction and Monitoring. Full details on the submission process and awards criteria for the Environmental Awards can be found in the Submission Rules and Judging Criteria at www.apeg.bc.ca/services/ awards/ environmentawards.html. Sustainability Award From innovative processes that do more with less to adaptive measures to address an uncertain climate future, APEGBC engineers and geoscientists practice at the leading edge of sustainability. APEGBC recognizes these leaders through the annual Sustainability Award as a means to celebrate and share the positive contributions to a sustainable future. The award is open to any project that has demonstrated a commitment to and understanding of the concept of sustainability and/or has applied one or more of the Sustainability Guidelines. The Sustainability Committee welcomes diverse nominations from sustainable projects both large and small. Full details on the submission process and awards criteria for the Sustainability Award are available here: www.apeg.bc.ca/about/ sustainability/award.html. The winning submissions will receive their awards at APEGBC’s 2013 annual conference, to be held October 24- 26 in Whistler, BC. The deadline for initial 500-word nominations for both the Environmental Awards and the Sustainability Award is March 8, 2013. For more information about the awards program, contact Laurel Buss, Communications Officer at lbuss@apeg.bc.ca or 604.412.6052.

Call for Nominations

The 2013 President’s Awards The APEGBC President’s Awards are British Columbia’s top honours for profes- sional engineers, professional geoscientists and limited licensees. APEGBC needs your help to identify deserving individuals within the engineering and geoscience community—professionals who serve as role models, excel at what they do and inspire others. The awards program was created to recognize the exemplary and outstanding professional, technical and community contribu- tions of APEGBC members, and allows the association to showcase the profes- sions to the public. Award winners are selected by a committee of APEGBC members based on nominations submitted by their peers. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2013 President’s Awards and the deadline for nominations is Friday, April 12, 2013 . There are seven categories of President’s Awards. They comprise meritori- ous achievement, community service, professional service, and teaching at the post secondary level. A fifth award, the Young Professional Award, recog- nizes an individual no older than 35 years of age who combines professional achievement, community service and professional service early in their career. The other two awards, the R.A. McLachlan Memorial Award and the C.J. Westerman Memorial Award, are APEGBC’s premier awards for engineering and geoscience respectively. These two awards recognize those who have made a significant contribution to their profession throughout their careers. Nomination forms, along with information on the nomination process, are available online at: www.apeg.bc.ca/services/awards/prezawards/nomprocedures.html. If you have questions about the awards program or how to nominate someone, contact Laurel Buss, Communications Officer at lbuss@apeg.bc.ca or 604.412.6052. Mentor of the Year Award APEGBC’s Mentor of the Year Award recognizes excellence amongst mentors in the engineering and geoscience community in British Columbia. Mentorship plays a key role in supporting a successful career in engineering and geoscience. APEGBC acknowledges the importance of mentoring relationships among association members with its Mentor of the Year Award. Nominations are now being accepted for APEGBC’s 2013 Mentor of the Year Award. Nominees must be a mentor in the APEGBC Mentoring Program. Full

details on the nomination process and awards criteria can be found online at www.apeg.bc.ca/ services/awards/mentorawards.html. The deadline for nominations is May 17, 2013 and the award will be presented at APEGBC’s 2013 annual conference, to be held October 24–26 in Whistler, BC. APEGBC’s Mentoring Program pairs members-in-training (EITs/GITs) and applicants with professional members based on profession, expertise and location. The goal of the program is to help the members-in-training or applicants obtain the advice, counselling and assistance they need to help them achieve professional registration. For more information on APEGBC’s mentoring program, visit: www.apeg.bc.ca/services/mentoring.html.

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to examine the issue further and develop the draft wording for an incidental practice agreement. The committee hopes to have completed its work by July 2013. Council approved motions to support APEGBC’s participation on the committee with the goals of negotiating the terms of a geoscience interprovincial incidental practice agreement for consideration by the committee’s respective councils. Council approved the revised Sustainability Guide- lines at their November meeting. The guidelines will undergo legal and editorial review before being published for use, and will be effective January 2014. The approval marks an important milestone for APEGBC, as the Sustainability Guidelines have not been updated since 1995. The guidelines will provide a framework to assist members to incorpo- rate sustainability into their professional practice, founded on the principle of holding the public’s interest paramount. In revising this document, the Sustainability Com- mittee undertook an extensive consultation period with APEGBC committees and divisions, and with members. Changes were made to the guidelines ac- cordingly to reflect this input. During the 12 months between approval and implementation, training and educational seminars on the revised Sustainability Guidelines will be presented throughout the province as continuing professional development opportunities. Each year at the annual general meeting, members have an opportunity to debate and vote on motions for Council’s consideration. At the 2012 AGM in October, five motions were put forward for debate by members, three of which were passed by the assembly. Council discussed these motions and recommended follow-up by staff to further examine the issues brought forward by members. To improve transparency and consistency in experi- ence assessment in the registration process for profes- sional engineers, and to allow applicants to self-assess their experience for registration, APEGBC estab- lished Competency-Based Assessment in June 2011. A key component of this framework is an online tool that allows applicants for professional engineer regis- tration to submit their experience online for valida- tion and assessment. Motions Submitted by Members at AGM Reviewed by Council Generic Indicators for Competency Assessment Approved Revised APEGBC Sustainability Guidelines Approved

APEGBC’s Council of elected members and government appointees meet throughout the year to conduct the business of association governance. The following are the highlights of the November 30, 2012 meeting of APEGBC Council.

NOVEMBER 30, 2012 Work Advances on Foreign Qualifications Recognition

In June 2012, the BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation commissioned a review of nine high-demand occupations’ assessment processes (including engineering) with the goal of attracting skilled immigrants to British Columbia. The objectives of the review were to identify barriers to foreign qualification recognition and to work collaboratively with regulatory bodies to improve qualification assessment outcomes. APEGBC collaborated with the ministry to review applications for professional engineer registration through the civil and mechanical disciplines. The review identified several high priority initiatives that could assist the integration of internationally trained professionals into the job market and the profession. In early November, the BC Government an- nounced $4.6 million to fund initiatives for these skilled permanent immigrants. Council provided approval in principle for APEGBC staff to advance proposals that would support additional work in this area, in collaboration, where appropriate, with Engineers Canada and ASTTBC. Recent amendments to the Engineers and Geoscien- tists Act included provisions authorizing “incidental practice” agreements with other Canadian engineering and geoscience regulators. When such agreements are formed between two jurisdictions, engineers or geo- scientists registered in one of the jurisdictions would be permitted to practice for a limited period of time in the other without having to be registered there. The temporary and spontaneous nature of many mineral exploration project evaluations, the large number of professional geoscientists based in BC, and the conflicts between securities legislation and professional licensing legislation make incidental practice a particularly important issue for APEG- BC’s geoscientist members. Representatives from several jurisdictions, including APEGBC, the As- sociation of Professional Engineers and Geoscien- tists of Alberta, and the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario, have formed a committee Council Supports Advancing Geoscience Incidental Practice

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bylaws. To ensure consistency between the Act and Bylaws, certain bylaws related to enfranchising limited licensees were automatically amended. Consistent with the enfranchisement of limited licensees, Council approved proposed amendments to additional bylaws that were not automatically amended. The bylaws address membership on the Nominating Committee, participation as ballot counters and eligibility for life or honorary life licensure. A period of consultation will be undertaken with members in the coming months. Canadian Framework for Licensure Elements Reviewed The CEO/Executive Director Group of Engineers Canada’s constituent members is leading the initiative to develop a Canadian Framework for Licensure in order to create nationwide consistency. The group has identified 12 essential elements of the regulated engineering profession in Canada, which will be developed collaboratively by engineering regulators with extensive consultation to identify best practices. Three elements have been completed to date: continuing professional development, account- ability of engineering organizations, and ne- gotiating international agreements. APEGBC Council provided input on a fourth element dealing with enforcement practices. Council also approved additional refinements to an element they had previously endorsed on fairness in reg- istration practices. Gillian Pichler, P.Eng., FEC, Honoured by ASTTBC Representatives from the Applied Science Technolo- gists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Gillian Pichler, P.Eng., FEC, APEGBC Director of Registration. This honour recognizes Ms. Pichler’s dedicated commitment in working with ASTTBC to advance a regulatory framework that will recognize the skills and knowl- edge of Applied Science Technologists. Division of Environmental Professionals Takes on Work of Environment Committee Due to overlapping work and goals, the Division of Environmental Professionals (DEP) has been increasingly involved with the delivery of the Environment Committee’s objectives over the past few years. In order to streamline the activities of these groups, Council stood down the Environment Committee and transferred the membership and functions of the committee to DEP by means of revised terms of reference.

To date, this tool has been enthusiastically received by employers, applicants and volun- teer reviewers. The system measures mandatory competencies that must be demonstrated by the applicant through specific indicators. Indicators for most categories are generic, while indicators for technical competency are specific to the discipline of practice. APEGBC has developed indicators for four areas of practice to date. In order to support expansion of this system to more applicants, Council approved generic techni- cal indicators to allow all applicants for profession- al engineer registration to submit their experience for assessment using this tool. For more informa- tion on the online Competency Assessment System, visit www.apeg.bc.ca/reg/competency.html. Amendments to Three Bylaws Approved by Council; Member Consultation to Begin this Year In June 2012, several amendments were made to the Engineers and Geoscientists Act , including amendments that permit limited licensees to run and vote for all Council positions, call for and vote at a meeting of the association, and vote on petitions and

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Registration Committee Tom Hunt, AScT, Eng.L. Mark Porter, P.Eng., Struct.Eng. Ross Rettie, P.Eng., FEC Standing Awards Committee Mike Currie, P.Eng. David Harvey, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC Nadine King, P.Eng. Sustainability Committee Lindsay Davis, EIT Technical Review Board Mark Porter, P.Eng., Struct.Eng. EXTERNAL City of Richmond Advisory Design Panel Kai Chen, P.Eng. City of Vancouver

Consulting Practice Committee Fadi Ghorayeb, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC

APPOINTMENTS (September 14 and November 30, 2012) INTERNAL Branch Representatives Chair Martin Fandrich, P.Eng. Building Codes Committee Emmanuel Domingo, P.Eng. Mark Lawton, P.Eng., FEC Thomas Leung, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC Wesley Lim, P.Eng. William May, P.Eng. Building Enclosure Committee Martin Gevers, P.Eng. Craig Labas, P.Eng. Mark Lawton, P.Eng., FEC Sean Liaw, P.Eng. Leslie Peer, P.Eng., FEC Joel Schwartz, P.Eng., FEC Henry Touwslager, P.Eng. Michael Wilson, P.Eng.

Clint Low, P.Eng.,

Struct.Eng., FEC Tony Mikes, P.Eng., FEC Brian Nakai, P.Eng. Legislative Implementation Task Force Oliver Bonham, P.Geo. David Harvey, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC Stephen Hobbs, P.Eng. Donna Howes, P.Eng. Kenneth Newbert, P.Eng. Neil Nyberg, P.Eng., FEC Bob Patrick, P.Eng., FEC Mentoring Committee Winnie Lai-Fong, P.Eng. Nominating Committee Lindsay Bottomer, P.Geo., FEC (Hon.) Glenn Pellegrin, P.Eng., FEC Professional Practice Committee Dave Bergman, P.Geo.

Robert Heikkila, P.Eng. Randy Hillaby, P.Eng. Siu-Kwong Lai, P.Eng. Discipline Committee Colin Smith, P.Eng., FEC Editorial Board Matthew Klippenstein, P.Eng. Megan Leslie, P.Eng. Geoscience Committee Antigone Dixon-Warren, P.Geo. Gregory Reid, P.Eng./ P.Geo., FEC Investigation Committee Lindsay Bottomer, P.Geo., FEC (Hon.) Jeff Corbett, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC

Urban Design Panel Goran Ostojic, P.Eng

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New Leadership for APEGBC

Meet New CEO and Registrar Ann English, P.Eng.

Melinda Lau

was involved in pressure vessel design, project and construction management, and later, business development for proj- ects across Canada, the US and overseas. A Natural Inclination Ann is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science (major in physiology, minor in English litera- ture) and the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. She comes across as friendly but serious in her demeanor and her speech. It’s evident, though, with further conversation that good humour belies measured tones. It might be suggested that arriving at engineering as a career may have been a natural choice for Ann, whose father was an engineer from the shipbuilding yards on the River Clyde in Scotland. When the family immigrated to Toronto, he worked in manufacturing, and on an occasional Saturday would take a young Ann in to work with him. “[He] would show me how these fascinating machines would take a piece of raw metal and turn it into

American writer Dorothy Parker once noted: “There is no cure for curiosity.” And, it is a natural curiosity that has led Ann English, P.Eng., to unexpected places over the course of her career, the most recent being APEGBC, where she has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of one of BC’s larg- est professional regulatory bodies. As a young mechanical engineer working at General Motors, Ann had hoped that her career might one day lead to designing cars, but after a long year spent designing a tool bit no larger than a pea, she was starting to feel that actual car design might be a long way off. Taking a lunch hour walk one day, she noticed that a nearby heavy industry fab- ricator was looking for engineers. Further inquiry determined that the company designed and built large-scale energy equipment for projects all over the world, with a focus on improving environmental sensitivity and efficiency. This coincidental encounter was the beginning of a 21-year career with Foster Wheeler where, during her time there, she

something amazing,” she recalls. “That was it, I was hooked!” Ann credits her parents’ influence on her career, having imparted to her their wonder of the world of science and people around them: “Together, they have had a natural and rich impact on my choice of a leadership career in the engineering field.” Ann comes to APEGBC from BC Hydro after over nine years in a variety of senior leadership roles with the provin- cial energy utility. Most recently, she was the Director of Interconnections at BC Hydro, responsible for the connection of load and generator customers (indepen- dent power producers) to transmission and distribution systems. In the run up to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Ann was BC Hydro’s Director of 2010 Olympic Initiatives. BC Hydro had set itself the target of designing and run- ning the cleanest, reliable, most afford- able power supply to an Olympic Winter Games. Over seven years, she led the team that planned and implemented a

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