INNOVATION January-February 2016

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 VOLUME 20 NUMBER 1

v iewpoint

As a designer of electrical systems, I am required to stay on top of the latest safety advances. The focus on safety pervades my work, as it does for all professional engineers and geoscientists. Given this, I was taken aback by an article recently published in MIT Technology Review , entitled “Why Self-Driving Cars Must Be Programmed to Kill.” The author explains that, before self-driving cars become widely accepted by the public, carmakers must address an impossible ethical dilemma. In other words, if a self-driving car is faced with an unavoidable accident with only two bad options—for example, either driving off a cliff or ploughing into a large group of people— it must be programmed to weigh options and choose the most appropriate action. Should it kill its passengers? Or collide with— and possibly injure or kill—a larger number of people? Quite aside from the article’s sensational title, the described scenario represents the tip of an iceberg. What if the car’s algorithm knew the passengers’ health status, for example, and weighed that information against known demographics of the other potential victims? How would such information affect the outcome? As an ethical dilemma, the answer comes down to balancing divergent values. I expect, through public engagement, automakers—and society—will eventually arrive at an appropriate balance. But no matter how appropriate, it will be imperfect. At any time, some values will supersede others, and some interests will be protected at the expense of others. A less extreme but equally challenging question of ethical and professional values faces APEGBC Council. As the group charged with governing the province’s regulatory body for engineers and geoscientists, we are required to make decisions that support APEGBC’s duty to protect the public interest. However, some such decisions may not always directly support the interests of individual members, Council and staff. Such problematic decisions may relate to membership entrance requirements and membership fees, practice reviews, disciplinary hearings, bylaw amendments, and even the current consideration of corporate regulation. Self-regulation occurs when a professional group enters into an agreement with government to formally regulate its members’ activities. Professional self-regulation enables government to control a profession’s practice and services without having to develop its own capacity and in-depth expertise that it would require if it regulated the professions directly. It is a common approach to professional regulation in British Columbia and in Canada. Self-regulation carries some benefits for professions, but the primary mandate—and guiding principle—is protection of public interest. To avoid conflict of interest, APEGBC Council relies on multiple sources of information and member engagement to attain the clarity needed to make good decisions. Although we are not currently struggling with the challenges faced by engineering professionals who are developing self- driving cars, Council is dealing with similar ethical dilemmas: how to weigh what is truly public interest, and how to best implement change that protects future generations.

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 Email: apeginfo@apeg.bc.ca Internet: apeg.bc.ca Toll free: 1.888.430.8035

2015/2016 COUNCIL, APEGBC P resident D r . M.C. Wrinch, P.Eng., FEC V ice P resident R.P. Stewart, P.Eng. I mmediate P ast P resident Dr. J.J. Clague, P.Geo., FGC

Managing Our Regulatory Duty

COUNCILLORS C.J.A. Andrewes, P.Eng.; D r . C.D. ‘Lyn Anglin, P.Geo. D.E. Campbell, P.Eng.; R. Farbridge, P.Eng. A. Fernandes, CIM, FCSI; C. Hall, P.Eng./P.Geo. D.I. Harvey, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC; K. Laloge, CPA, CA, TEP S. Martin, P.Eng.; T. Mitha, LLB C. Moser, P.Eng.; C.L. Park, P.Eng. K.V. Tarnai-Lokhorst, P.Eng.; J. Turner, P.Ag.

ASSOCIATION STAFF A.J. English, P.Eng. C hief E xecutive O fficer A nd R egistrar T.M.Y. Chong, P.Eng. C hief R egulatory O fficer A nd D eputy R egistrar J.Y. Sinclair C hief O perating O fficer M.L. Archibald D irector , C ommunications A nd S takeholder E ngagement J. Cho, CGA D irector , F inance A nd A dministration D. Gamble D irector , I nformation S ystems P.R. Mitchell, P.Eng. D irector , P rofessional P ractice , S tandards A nd D evelopment D. Olychick D irector , M ember S ervices G.M. Pichler, P.Eng. D irector , R egistration E. Swartz, LLB D irector , L egislation , E thics A nd C ompliance V. Lai, CGA A ssociate D irector , F inance A nd A dministration J.J.G. Larocque P.Eng., LLB, CD A ssociate D irector , P rofessional P ractice M.A. Rigolo P.Eng., A ssociate D irector , E ngineering A dmissions M onique K eiran , M anaging E ditor

Dr. Michael Wrinch, P.Eng., FEC President

EDITORIAL BOARD K.C. Chan, P.Eng., CPA; S. Chiu, P.Eng. D.E. Falkins, Eng.L.; T. George, P.Eng. R. Gupta, P.Eng. ; C.L. Hall, P.Eng./P.Geo. S.K. Hayes, P.Eng.; M.A. Klippenstein, P.Eng. I. Kokan, P.Eng.; B. Thomson, P.Geo., FEC (Hon.) M.J. Zieleman, EIT

president@ apeg.bc.ca

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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 industry 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 licence 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 (apeg.bc.ca/innovation-editorial) 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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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 emailed to editor@apeg.bc.ca.

Unending Reporting Requirements The CPD Bylaw’s defeat came as no surprise to me. Although APEGBC strongly stressed the importance of having a mandatory CPD program in place (to be in line with other/similar associations, to avoid government intervention, etc.), I feel that as professionals, we are continuously asked to increase “reporting”— be it in the workplace or in the associations we belong to. I have been involved in project execution for more than 30 years, and it is truly alarming to see the quantity of projects having “failed” in the past decade. I define failure as any one, or combination, of the following: cost overrun >25%; schedule overrun >25%; cannot reach nominal design throughput after one year of operation. When comparing the olden days with the current state of affairs, what I notice is a significant change in reporting requirements. Reporting is required to the extent that project staff now focus on issuing an unending variety and quantity of reports—to the detriment of the truly essential tasks to ensure success. It should have come as no surprise to the association that engineers are reluctant to embark on yet another reporting requirement, no matter how flexible or amicable it is being offered. I have yet to meet an engineer who does not continually improve his or her skills, as much because of the need to keep up-to-date (supply and demand in knowledge!) as because of its gratification/self-satisfaction. Most of us enrolled in engineering because we love it, and what’s more natural than wanting to keep abreast of new developments? The ones who don’t keep up will eventually be left behind. Mandatory reporting will not by itself improve public safety. The ring on the pinky is a better reminder to always do safe engineering! Gabriel Werner, P.Eng. Las Condes, Chile

Duty to Support Colleagues Seeking Training As a practicing engineer who has worked in both public and private sectors for over 25 years in Canada and elsewhere, I followed the CPD Bylaw discussion and vote with interest. Our profession is founded on personal responsibility to the public as well as to ourselves, and we are the better for it. I believe our society is already too rule bound, and the excessive number of rules takes away from personal responsibility. Our Code of Ethics specifically requires us to keep current within our respective disciplines so that we can uphold the public interest, and I would like to assume that most engineers take that responsibility seriously. However, some engineers are not in a position to be self-determining when it comes to formal CPD. Young engineers (and even some older engineers) who have recently entered the work force might find it challenging to approach their supervisors to register for CPD when it is not required to maintain one’s professional status. Similarly, some employers see little value in CPD and refuse to fund it, displacing the burden (ethical and financial) onto the engineers. For these engineers, decisions regarding CPD are made by persons who do not adhere to the Code of Ethics. The bylaw would have provided those colleagues with the legislative framework to obtain employer support for CPD. Article 7 of the Code requires us to “Conduct [our]selves with fairness, courtesy and good faith towards ... colleagues.” I submit that those who voted against the CPD Bylaw violated Article 7. Frommy perspective, they did not act in good faith to their colleagues. We need to support all our colleagues as they work towards professional development. Why would a profession not support fellow engineers who want to maintain our high ethical standards? Gary Vlieg, P.Eng. Port Moody

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new s

Commission Finds Systemic Corruption in Quebec Construction Sector

Collapsing overpass, Quebec, 2007. P hoto : i S tock

Justice France Charbonneau recently tabled a report on the investigation into corruption within Quebec’s construction industry, following the launch of a commission of inquiry four years ago. In the report, released November 24, the commission concluded that, leading up to 2011, a link existed between political party financing and the granting of subsidies and public contracts. The 1,741-page report includes 60 recommendations for the Quebec government that are aimed at cleaning up the system surrounding the awarding of government contracts. The recommendations include better protection for whistleblowers, creation of an independent authority to oversee public contracts, a requirement for construction companies to report acts of intimidation or violence, reforms to political donation rules, and stiffer penalties for

whistleblowers and those who were complicit in collusion. Also noteworthy is the report’s consideration of what contributing factors may have limited OIQ’s ability to carry out its public protection mandate. The Charbonneau Commission Inquiry was launched in 2011 after public pressure and extensive media coverage. Since that time, more than 291 witnesses provided more than 260 days of testimony. To date, sections of the report remained blacked out due to ongoing court cases. Although the political and industrial landscape in BC differs from that in Quebec, the report is instructive for engineers and geoscientists in British Columbia and for APEGBC. APEGBC will continue to follow this issue.

construction companies that break the law. The report has wide-ranging implications for a number of government and regulatory organizations, including the Ordre des Ingénieurs (OIQ), the engineering regulatory body in Quebec. The report refers to the central role played by engineers in a number of schemes of collusion, corruption and illegal financing of political parties between 1996 and 2010. It notes that, while OIQ has a mandate of public protection, prior to 2011 there had been little effort to prevent and identify the practices brought to the light by the commission. Since then, OIQ has been more actively engaged in responding to complaints related to collusion and corruption. OIQ has stated it is considering the recommendations in the report and has created a working group to examine what measures it will take to follow up on the commission’s recommendations. It will prioritize recommendations that directly affect OIQ’s public protection activities. APEGBC, as a professional regulatory body for engineering and geoscience, takes great interest in the report’s findings and recommendations. Of particular note is the report’s illustration of the contrasting approaches to professional ethics by the

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Qualification-based Selection Website Clarifies Process The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies British Columbia (ACEC-BC) recently launched an online qualification-based selection (QBS) resource. The resource, which is available at www.yes2qbs.com, provides a systematic and transparent process for selecting qualified professional engineering services. This new online resource aims to help municipalities and others implement effective procurement practices, and brings together studies, guides, templates and resources to support QBS implementation. ACEC-BC is British Columbia’s provincial association of engineering consulting firms. It represents consulting engineering companies located in British Columbia that provide engineering and other technology-based intellectual services. One of the organization’s goals is to help clients secure cost-effective designs that ultimately result in safe and efficient projects. By supporting QBS and providing the new website, ACEC-BC seeks to ensure that the most qualified professional design- services providers are hired at a reasonable and realistic cost and that, as a result, projects are completed safely, on time and within budget. Public Consultations Begin for BC’s Climate Leadership Plan The team of BC business, community, First Nations, academic and environmental leaders appointed by Premier Christy Clark last May to advise and recommend to the BC Government on how the province may meet its climate-action targets has submitted 32 recommendations for consideration. The Climate Leadership Team’s recommendations include items addressing carbon pricing and offsets, fiscal policy, industry policy, targets, and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within three broad sectors—the Built Environment, Industry and Transportation. (See engage.gov.bc.ca/climateleadership/files/2015/11/CLT-recommendations-to- government_Final.pdf for the recommendations.) The BC Government is now studying the recommendations and engaging in public consultations. Together, these will help inform development of a new provincial strategy—called the Climate Action Plan—to reduce greenhouse gases, support a carbon-neutral economy and encourage economic development, while protecting the affordability of BC families and maintaining the competitiveness of BC businesses. The Climate Action Plan is scheduled to be completed by April.

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as soc ia t i on notes Connect & Discover

The conference brings together engineers, geoscientists, technologists, faculty, government representatives, students and other members of the community. Last year’s professional development sessions included the following streams: management, better business, climate change, structural engineering, energy efficiency and renewable energy, young professionals, engineering and geoscience in the resource sector, municipal engineering and environmental engineering. About 600 to 800 delegates are expected to attend the 2016 conference. Deadline for presentation proposals: February 26, 2016. Details on how to propose a presentation for the conference are available at: apeg.bc.ca/AC16call. For additional information, contact ac2016@apeg.bc.ca. seismic performance. This ground-breaking work has benefited from the input and participation of prominent US structural engineers and was previously recognized by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies Canada with the Engineering a Better Canada Award. The methodology is also being used by the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “The safety of students is a top priority for government and we are proud to have collaborated on these guidelines with the professionals from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC,” said Honourable Mike Bernier, Minister of Education. The award was presented in December in San Francisco. An independent jury commissioned by the ATC and SEI to identify awardees in their Champions of Earthquake Resilience Program selected the APEGBC guidelines from a broad range of nominated projects and programs. The awards’ call for nominations was distributed to more than 50,000 structural engineering and earthquake hazard reduction professionals in the US, Canada, and elsewhere. Please submit: • High-resolution digital image files (e.g., 4-Mb TIFF or .jpg files) • Descriptive captions of no more than 150 words, in MS Word format. Captions must - describe the project, including its innovative, most challenging or sustainability aspects, - identify the owners and APEGBC members involved, • Your contact information. Due to space limitations, Innovation is unable to publish every submission received, and will accept only one submission per company, except where space permits. We recommend that members who work for large companies coordinate their submissions to avoid multiple or duplicate submissions. Submit your project highlights to pictorial@apeg.bc.ca no later than Tuesday, April 19 . Due to high submission volumes, late submissions will not be considered. Before submitting, please review the complete submission requirements, available online at apeg.bc.ca/pictorial.

Presenters Sought for 2016 APEGBC Annual Conference APEGBC seeks presenters for technical, business, managerial and personal development topics for its 2016 annual conference, in Victoria, BC, October 20–22, 2016. About the Conference Theme: Connect & Discover APEGBC’s 2016 Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting will take place October 20–22, 2016, in Victoria, BC. The conference and AGM will be held at the Victoria Conference Centre, which will serve as the venue for two days (Thursday, October 20, and Friday, October 21) of professional development sessions, networking opportunities and an exhibitor tradeshow. APEGBC’s 97th annual general meeting will take place October 22.

Seismic Guidelines Recognized as an Extraordinary Innovation The Seismic Retrofit Guidelines, 2 nd Edition, recently received a Champions of Earthquake Resilience Award in the category of “Extraordinary Innovation in Seismic Protection of Buildings” from the Applied Technology Council (ATC) and Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

APEGBC, along with the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the BC Ministry of Education, showcased an unprecedented collaboration to produce innovative, performance-based technical guidelines for seismic risk assessment and seismic retrofit design of BC school buildings, says APEGBC President Dr. Michael Wrinch, P.Eng., FEC. “The Seismic Retrofit Guidelines are an excellent example of APEGBC members delivering real world solutions to meet the challenges of the 21 st century, while ensuring safety and protection of the public,” Wrinch says. “We are proud to be a part of the project team.” The guidelines allow users to effectively and consistently determine the seismic risk of an existing building and optimize the extent of new structural components required to achieve a life-safety professional engineers and geoscientists to submit photographs of their recent work for consideration for the magazine’s annual project highlights showcase. Members, licensees and companies may submit photographs of projects undertaken since May 2015, within or outside BC, employing APEGBC members and licensees. Submissions relating to all engineering and geoscience disciplines are encouraged. In selecting showcase projects, the Editorial Board considers: • Projects that reflect the diversity of work performed by APEGBC members, • Projects that showcase innovation and sustainability, • Overall representation of a wide variety of employers of APEGBC members and of member diversity, • Visual appeal, and • Existing or planned project coverage in Innovation. 2015/2016 Project Highlights:Call for Submissions APEGBC members and licensees work on some amazing projects at home and abroad. Innovation invites BC’s

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APEGBC is Recruiting Members for 2016/2017 Council British Columbia’s engineers and geoscientists play an essential role in the province. Through the nomination process, we are seeking visionary members to provide strong leadership for APEGBC.

opportunity to elect a President, Vice President, and a minimum of five councillors. Candidates may be nominated either by the Nominating Committee or as a write-in candidate with the support of 25 members. The election will be held during September and October 2016. Those elected will take office at the Annual General Meeting on October 22, 2016. APEGBC’s Nominating Committee will meet from January to April 2016 to select a slate of candidates. These nominees will be selected based on their qualifications, experience and expertise. Members are encouraged to submit referrals or expressions of interest to this committee for consideration. To do so, contact Nominating Committee Chair John Clague, P.Geo., FGC, FEC (Hon.), at pastpresident@apeg.bc.ca, by Thursday, February 25, 2016 . Members may also submit nominations of candidates for election, with the support of 25 members in good standing, directly to the Registrar. This requires a nomination form signed by the members making the nomination and the written consent of the nominee. Deadline for submitting nomination forms: Wednesday, June 29, 2016. Detailed information, including nomination forms and Nominating Committee candidate criteria, can be found online at apeg.bc.ca/Nominations-2016-17 .

APEGBC invites members who wish to run in the fall 2016 Council election to contact the Nominating Committee to express their interest in becoming candidates. Why get involved? Engineers and geoscientists enjoy the privilege of self-regulation. This means they are responsible for determining and maintaining the standards of admission and practice for their professions. As an organization, APEGBC relies on members’ participation to carry out its regulatory functions. Members of the association’s Council provide leadership and strategic direction to APEGBC, establishing its priorities and policies under provincial legislation, the Engineers and Geoscientists Act . Professional engineers, professional geoscientists and licensees in good standing are eligible for office. Councillors are generally elected for a two-year term, commencing October 22, 2016. The President and Vice President are elected for a one-year term. Our Process APEGBC is governed by a Council of elected members and government appointees. Each year, members have the

Interested in Running for Office? Here’s what the Nominating Committee is looking for:

All nominees for councillor must be members or licensees (P.Eng., P.Geo., Eng.L., Geo.L.) in good standing. Of candidates referred directly to the 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. Previous experience on Council is not required for write-in candidates. Desirable skills and experience include: • Financial fluency, such as relating to financial statements, cash flow, budgeting, financial planning, investing, and risk management. • Familiarity with governance structures of corporations and/or large organizations. • A minimum of five years of professional practice as an APEGBC member. • Leadership roles, including strategic thinking and public speaking. Experience with service on boards of companies or voluntary, professional or community organizations. For more detailed information on the Nominating Committee’s criteria, see apeg.bc.ca/Nominations-2016-17. 2016 Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee ensures that a slate of nominees is put forward for election in consideration of criteria vital to strong and balanced leadership of the association. This includes management and professional practice experience, financial fluency, diversity, and more. The Nominating Committee is composed of eight professional members or licensees representing APEGBC regional branches and five professional members or licensees appointed by Council. The committee is chaired by the current past president. For information about the Nominating Committee, visit: apeg.bc.ca/Nominations-2016-17.

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Stand Out From the Crowd Nominations Now Open for APEGBC Awards Nominations are now being accepted for APEGBC’s President’s Awards, Environmental Award, Sustainability Award, and Mentor of the Year Award. These awards will be presented at APEGBC’s 2016 Annual Conference, October 21–22, in Victoria, BC. APEGBC President’s Awards Nominations accepted until Friday, April 15, 2016 APEGBC needs your help to identify deserving professionals within the engineering and geoscience community who serve as role models, excel at what they do, and inspire others. The APEGBC President’s Awards are British Columbia’s top honours for professional engineers, professional geoscientists and licensees. The awards recognise the exemplary and outstanding professional, technical and community contributions of APEGBC members and allow the association to showcase the professions to the public. Award winners are selected by a committee of APEGBC members, based on nominations submitted by their peers. APEGBC members can be nominated within the following award categories: meritorious achievement, community service, professional service, and teaching at the post-secondary level. A fifth award, the Young Professional Award, recognises an individual not older than 35 years of age who combines professional achievement, community service and professional service early in their career. The R.A. McLachlan Memorial Award and the C.J. Westerman Memorial Award are APEGBC’s premier awards for engineering and geoscience, respectively, and recognise those who have made significant contributions to their profession throughout their careers. Award terms of reference and nomination procedures are available at apeg.bc.ca/For-Members/Awards. Questions about the President’s Awards can be directed to Laurel Buss, APEGBC Communications Officer, lbuss@apeg.bc.ca or 604.412.6052. APEGBC Sustainability Award Nominations accepted until Friday, March 11, 2016 From innovative processes that do more with less to adaptive measures that address an uncertain climate future, APEGBC engineers and geoscientists practise at the leading edge of sustainability. APEGBC recognises these leaders through the annual Sustainability Award as a means to celebrate and share positive contributions to a sustainable future. Any project that demonstrates a commitment to, and understanding of, the concept of sustainability and/or has applied one or more of the APEGBC Sustainability Guidelines is eligible. The APEGBC Sustainability Committee welcomes nominations from sustainable projects large and small. Nomination process details and awards criteria are available at apeg.bc.ca/For-Members/ Awards. Please direct questions about the Sustainability Award to Harshan Radhakrishnan, P.Eng., APEGBC Practice Advisor, hrad@apeg.bc.ca or 604.412.6054.

APEGBC Environmental Award Nominations accepted until Friday, March 11, 2016 APEGBC’s Division of Environmental Professionals encourages submissions for the Environmental Award, highlighting professional engineers’ and geoscientists’ roles in responsible environmental management, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Nomination process details and awards criteria are available at apeg.bc.ca/For-Members/Awards. Please direct questions about the Environmental Award to Laurel Buss, APEGBC Communications Officer, lbuss@apeg.bc.ca or 604.412.6052. APEGBC Mentor of the Year Award Nominations accepted until Friday, April 15, 2016 APEGBC’s Mentor of the Year Award recognises excellence among mentors in BC’s engineering and geoscience community. Mentorship plays a key role in supporting a successful career in engineering and geoscience. Nominees must be a mentor in the APEGBC Mentoring Program. Nomination process details and awards criteria are available at apeg.bc.ca/For-Members/Awards. Please direct questions about the Mentor of the Year Award to Amit Plaha, APEGBC Mentoring Program Coordinator, aplaha@apeg.bc.ca or 604.412.4885. APEGBC/ABCFP Forest Engineering Award of Excellence Nominations accepted throughout the year The Forest Engineering Award of Excellence, sponsored jointly by APEGBC and the Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP), recognises excellence, cooperation and leadership in forest engineering. The award is presented annually and alternates between associations. The ABCFP will present the 2016 award. Nominees may be individuals, organisations or associations responsible for projects that demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in forest engineering. Nomination procedure details and awards criteria are available at apeg.bc.ca/For-Members/Awards.

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Amendment Requested to Safeguard Public Safety Mandate Over the past few years, APEGBC has been undertaking a process to modernize its governing legislation, the Engineers and Geoscientists Act . Eleven priority amendments were brought into law in 2012, The development of the proposed amendments that would enable these policy and procedure enhancements required significant effort. It spanned four years and involved over 100 members and public appointees serving on several APEGBC task forces and committees—including the Legislative Review Task Force, and the Registration, Investigation, Discipline, Professional Practice, and Governance committees.

and a further eight were submitted to government in July 2015. The proposed amendments would allow APEGBC to perform its regulatory duties more effectively and better support its mandate to protect public safety. While these changes assist in bringing the Act up to date, some significant issues remain that affect how APEGBC is able to deliver on its legislated duty. Perhaps the most fundamental issue relates to the way in which bylaws are approved. Currently, under the Act , all bylaws must be ratified by two-thirds of voting members. This can potentially lead to situations in which Council’s ability to deliver on the association’s core duty is at risk, and leaves APEGBC with limited ability to enact change or respond to issues that significantly impact public safety. APEGBC has a responsibility to deliver on its duty to protect the public. After serious consideration, APEGBC Council has decided to request a legislative amendment from government that would enable Council to pass bylaws, without member ratification, on matters related to professional practice and public safety. Under this proposed model, members would continue to vote on bylaws related to the governance of the organization (e.g., conduct of meetings, nomination process for Council), but Council would pass bylaws for all matters relating to upholding the public interest (e.g., registration, quality management, and code of ethics requirements). All bylaws would continue to require approval by the Minister of Advanced Education. Although the proposed amendment represents a significant change in governance for APEGBC, this type of governance structure is common among other BC professional regulatory bodies. The governing boards of the regulators for lawyers, realtors, and 26 health professions in the province are able to enact bylaws in the public interest without member ratification. Background The origins of this proposed amendment date back to 2008, when a special task force was established to align the association’s policies and procedures with best practices. The Professional Renewal Task Force examined all areas of APEGBC’s operation and recommended 38 enhancements for more effective and responsible self-governance. Many of these enhancements required updates to the Engineers and Geoscientists Act .

Overall, the most challenging issue, and one given extensive and careful consideration, was the recommendation that Council be able to enact bylaws addressing professional practice and public safety without formal approval by members. The reasoning was, as APEGBC has a bylaw approval procedure substantially different from other provincial self-regulatory professions in British Columbia, it could come to focus more on member interests than on public interest. In addition to the public safety risk, there is a reputational and credibility risk for APEGBC as a regulator should member interests take precedence. At the conclusion of this work, a list of 35 proposed Act amendments was drafted in priority order. This amendment to change APEGBC’s bylaw ratification model was originally included with the first group of priority changes proposed, which were submitted to government in 2011. Due to member concerns at the time, Council withdrew this request in 2012 to allow for further consideration. Council feels it is necessary once again to seek this change in order to enable APEGBC to meet its duty with current and future challenges in the regulation of the professions. Next Steps APEGBC submitted the request to government in December 2015 and now awaits government’s decision as to whether the proposed amendment will be considered. If the amendment proceeds, bylaws would still require the approval of government prior to becoming law. Council has also committed to seeking and considering member feedback during the process of bylaw development, should APEGBC Council be granted bylaw- making authority. Council appreciates this is an important request and one that members have great interest in. Comments, questions, and feedback from members may be directed to legislation@apeg.bc.ca. The association will keep members informed as this matter develops.

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Imagine the Possibilities: National Engineering and Geoscience Month 2016

geoscience to everyday life. APEGBC will be promoting NEGM through print, social and other media. Events and activities include the Popsicle Stick Bridge Building competition and the Drawing Contest, and are scheduled during the entire month. Invite your family and friends to participate in the fun. APEGBC Science Games, March 5 Now in its fifth year, the APEGBC Science Games takes place at Science World. This interactive competition challenges students in Grades 1 to 6 to think creatively and collaboratively about problems, and presents science and science-based careers as fun, challenging options to consider. NEGM Drawing Contest This drawing contest for children aged 4 to 12 encourages them to think about careers in the sciences and use their creative skills.

Engineers and geoscientists use science, math, and research skills to explore the world. Through

creative thinking, they help solve problems and make the world a better place. What would it be like to see the world through their eyes? The possibilities for opportunity and learning are endless: Imagine the Possibilities. National Engineering and Geoscience Month (NEGM) kicks off on March 1. NEGM promotes awareness of engineering and geoscience, celebrates our members and their achievements, explains the diverse fields that each profession has, and reminds the public of the relevance and importance of engineering and

BRANCH EVENTS EVENT DATE

BRANCH

EVENT TYPE

CITY

February 13

Fraser Valley

Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Workshop

Surrey

February 27

Fraser Valley

Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition

Surrey

February 27

Richmond/Delta

Science & Engineering Fair with Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition Richmond

February 27

Tri-City

Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition

Coquitlam

March 4 and 5 East Kootenay

East Kootenay Regional Science Fair

Cranbrook

March 5

South Central

Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition

Kamloops

March 19

Vancouver

Engineering and Geoscience Fest 2016 (EG-Fest)

Vancouver

April 2

Central Interior

19th Annual Popsicle Stick Bridge and GeoRocks Event

Prince George

April 3

Sea-to-Sky

Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition

Sechelt

April 3

Vancouver Island

Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition

Nanaimo

April 9

Burnaby/New Westminster Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition

Burnaby

April 11

West Kootenay

Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition

Nelson

May 14

Northern

Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition

Kitimat

TBD

Sea-to-Sky

Popsicle Bridge Building Competition

North Vancouver

Stay tuned for more information on:

• The NEGM Challenge. Battle other APEGBC members for the championship title. • The APEGBC member photo display. Submit photos that illustrate how you celebrate NEGM, and impress your colleagues with your shutterbug skills. Selfies are welcome! For the latest information on NEGM events and activities, please visit apeg.bc.ca/NEGM, and look for us on Twitter @APEGBC.

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Application Fee Waived for Designated Refugees The Government of Canada has committed to resettling 25,000 Syrian refugees before March 1, 2016, with 1,900 expected in British Columbia. This is in addition to as many as 25,000 other refugees resettled in Canada each year from other countries. The numbers of refugees arriving in British Columbia will likely include engineers and geoscientists, some of whom may apply for registration in the next year. APEGBC is considering methods and policies that will allow it to address the unique challenges presented by refugee applicants who cannot access their academic documentation or lack other conventional means by which to prove their qualifications, or who may be unable to fund their applications for professional registration. In response, Council has approved a motion that exempts designated refugees who apply for enrollment, registration or licence from payment of the application (examination of credentials) fee. Designated refugees meet the criteria of “refugee” under the 1951 Geneva Convention or the definition of a “person in need of protection” under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act . (More, on page 34.) The exemption practice will be revisited in November 2016. Three New Key Performance Indicators At council’s request, staff provided additional Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to measure progress on the Strategic Plan: budgeted surplus/ deficit vs. actual surplus/deficit; percentage of Active Members, who have practice rights and are female; and percentage of new registrants (excluding non-resident licensees) who are female. The new KPI were approved. Amendment Request for Addressing Public Safety Bylaws Arising from discussion of the results of the CPD bylaw vote, Council considered the issue of how bylaws are approved and the challenges this may pose to how the association is able to deliver on its duty. The current ratification model, which requires that all bylaws be ratified by two-thirds of voting members in order to pass, has the potential to lead to situations in which APEGBC’s ability to deliver on its core duty is at risk, leaving it with limited ability to enact change or respond to issues that significantly impact public safety. After serious consideration, APEGBC Council has decided to request a legislative amendment from government that would enable Council to pass bylaws, without member ratification, on

Motions from the 2015 AGM Council considered four motions from the 2015 AGM in October, which were carried by members. Motion 1: That Council consider publishing in the financial reports the total compensation (the sum of salaries and benefits) for all staff who receive over $100,000 per annum, as well as their reimbursed expenses. Council referred this motion to the Executive Committee for analysis, and directed that a recommendation be delivered to Council by April 2015. Motion 4: That Council consider the inclusion of territorial acknowledgement in all meetings. Council referred this motion to the Executive Committee for analysis, and directed that a recommendation be delivered to Council by February 2015. Motion 6: That Council consider increasing its transparency and accountability to members, whereby all members may access the association’s website, in an easy and timely way, in order to view all agendas and supporting materials of Council meetings that are deemed “open.” Council referred this motion to the CEO for analysis, and directed that a recommendation be delivered to Council by February 2015. Motion 7: That Council consider revising the current voluntary CPD tracking guidelines and the online system to better reflect the simplified tracking as recommended by the CPD Committee. As this matter is already on the agenda for the CPD Committee, no additional direction from Council is required. Approval of Budget Guidelines for 2016/2017 Now in the third year of its three-year budgeting process, Council approved guidelines for the creation of APEGBC’s 2016/2017 budget. The guidelines re-emphasise commitment to APEGBC’s Sustainable Financial Management Policy and the application of the Strategic Plan, as well as the intent to maintain current annual professional member fees for 2017 and strive for financial self-sustainability on a direct-cost basis. APEGBC’s council of elected members and government representatives meets throughout the year to conduct the business of association governance. The following are the highlights of the November 27, 2015, meeting.

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matters related to professional practice and public safety. (More, on page 13.) Update on Geoscience Competencies for Registration In November 2014, Council passed a motion that the Geoscience Competency Profile be adopted in principle as the foundational document that describes entry-to-practice experience requirements for professional geoscientists. Council received an update regarding discussion and planning by Geoscientists Canada’s Canadian Geoscience Standards Board (CGSB) regarding

the deployment of their Competency Profile for Professional Geoscientists at Entry to Practice. Geoscientists Canada has submitted a proposal to Economic and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for the funding of three initiatives in the deployment of the Competency Profile: mapping the Competency Profile to the Geoscience Knowledge and Experience Requirements for Professional Registration in Canada; identifying competency-based assessment tools that might be developed; and developing an online self- assessment tool for prospective applicants.

Appointments Advisory Task Force on Corporate Practice Michael Currie, P.Eng., FEC Building Codes Committee John Buscemi, P.Eng. Leonard Pianalto, P.Eng., FEC Fred Tai, P.Eng. Avy Woo, P.Eng., CP

Mentoring Kathy Tarnai-Lokhorst, P.Eng., FEC Organisational Quality Management Committee James Blake, P.Eng. Frank Humber, P.Eng. Shirley McLaren Ferenc Pataki, P.Eng. John Perry, P.Eng. Pat Stephenson, P.Geo. Greg Thorne, P.Eng. Nominating Committee Emily Cheung, P.Eng., FEC Frank Denton, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.) Mark Porter, P.Eng., Struct.Eng. Doug VanDine, P.Eng./P.Geo. Kimberley Wong, P.Eng. Practice Review Committee Patrick Shek, P.Eng., FEC Registration Committee Claudio Arato, P.Eng., FEC Neil Brazier, P.Eng., FEC Dr. Philippe Kruchten, P.Eng., FEC Arash Masbough, P.Eng., FEC Glenn Pellegrin, P.Eng., FEC Standing Awards Pamela De Mark, P.Geo. Dr. Ash Parameswaran, P.Eng.

Building Enclosure Committee Dr. Rodrigo Mora, P.Eng. Terra Shimbashi Consulting Practice Committee Dr. Mario Bianchin, P.Geo.

Dejan Lenasi, P.Eng. Kitty Leung, P.Eng., Struct. Eng.

Sean Liaw, P.Eng., FEC Todd Stewart, P.Eng. Discipline Committee Dr. Upal Atukorala, P.Eng. Geoscience Committee Bruce Downing, P.Geo., FGC, FEC (Hon.) Peter Friz, P.Geo., FGC Edward Hickin, P.Geo. David Jenkins, P.Geo. Jules Lajoie, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.) Brendan Miller, P.Geo. James Moors, P.Geo., FGC, FEC (Hon.) John Perry, P.Geo., FGC, FEC (Hon.) James Robertson, P.Geo., FGC, FEC (Hon.) Glen Singleton, P.Geo., FGC, FEC (Hon.) Brent Ward, P.Geo., FGC, FEC (Hon.) Investigation Committee Alan Rampton, FCA

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