INNOVATION January-February 2017

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 1

v iewpoint

When I take on an engineering project, I draw on many resources. I consider the project’s scope and my deliverables in relationship to the project’s deliverables, plus I review all pertinent documentation. I consult with my client, the other project teammembers and the appropriate stakeholders. I also review all pertinent regulations, codes and practice guidelines, and all available technologies or equipment, including their delivery times and costs. I rely on my education, training, and experience as an electrical engineer, plus I consult and work with colleagues who provide additional insight based on their own training and experience. I always keep public safety and the public interest in mind. All of these considerations combine to guide me in how I approach and implement a project. Yet, in the end, once client acceptance as been obtained, when the time comes for me to determine the drawings required and specify the design elements and materials, I inevitably weight some considerations more heavily than others, for the project must conform to legislation, codes, best practices, and protect the public. The client’s needs must also be addressed within those overarching requirements and technical limitations. Risks must be either designed out or mitigated. Every engineer and geoscientist undertakes similar processes when starting or undertaking a project, be it designing electrical systems, developing mines, creating biomedical devices, constructing highway interchanges, devising flood protection plans, or developing software. It is our role and our responsibility as professionals. Council, too, follows a similar process. During my years on Council, we have deliberated complex issues and considered diverse inputs and resources, including regular feedback from members. At Council’s direction, APEGBC engages with members through surveys, webinars, seminars, and consultation meetings across BC. Members also contribute input via committees and divisions, on APEGBC’s social media sites, and by contacting Council or branch executive members directly. Nominating candidates for Council, voting in APEGBC’s elections, and participating in our annual general meetings also present opportunities for members to express their views to Council. The Council draws on all member input when considering issues and decisions. In the end, however, Council must balance that feedback against input from other sources. Sometimes that other input must take precedence. For example, APEGBC must always satisfy—and be seen to satisfy—government and the public that the association puts the public interest first, before all other considerations. This is our duty as the regulator of the engineering and geoscience professions in BC. Neglecting this duty puts our professions’ authority to self-regulate at risk. Once that overarching requirement is met, we—your elected Council—strive hard to address members’ concerns and needs. As your elected president of APEGBC for the next nine months, I encourage all members to make their views known and help better inform Council’s decision-making process. Opportunities include ongoing consultation on possible regulation of corporate practice in BC, connecting with branch executives and councillors at meetings and events, and a survey on climate change (See page 8). You can also email me at any time to discuss any issue or concern. Please speak up. Be heard. Contribute to our decision-making processes.

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 APEGBC COUNCIL 2016/2017 P resident B ob S tewart , P.E ng . V ice -P resident D r . E d C asas , P.E ng . I mmediate P ast P resident D r . M ichael W rinch , P.E ng ., FEC, FGC (H on .) COUNCILLORS C.J.A. Andrewes, P.Eng.; S. Cheema, CA, CPA R. Farbridge, P.Eng.; C. Hall, P.Eng./P.Geo. S. Hayes, P.Eng.; K. Laloge, CPA, CA, TEP; S. Martin, P.Eng. C. Moser, P.Eng.; R.B. Nanson, P.Eng. S.R. Rettie, P.Eng., FEC; L. Spence, P.Eng. K.Tarnai-Lokhorst, P.Eng., FEC; J. Turner, P.Ag. (ret); D. Wells, JD ASSOCIATION STAFF A.J. English, P.Eng. C hief E xecutive O fficer and R egistrar T.M.Y. Chong, 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 ystems 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

Balancing Requirements and Inputs

Bob Stewart, P.Eng. President

E. Swartz, LLB D irector , L egislation , E thics and C ompliance V. Lai, CGA A ssociate D irector , F inance and A dministration M.A. Rigolo P.Eng., A ssociate D irector , E ngineering A dmissions M onique K eiran , M anaging E ditor

APEGBC EDITORIAL BOARD J. Bracho, P.Eng.; E.A. Brown, P.Eng.; K.C. Chan, P.Eng., CPA; S. Chiu, P.Eng.; T. George, P.Eng.; H. Ghalibafian, P.Eng. G. Grill, P.Eng.; R. Gupta, P.Eng.; M.A. Klippenstein, P.Eng.; R. Ord, P.Eng.; A.M. Westin, GIT; M.J. Zieleman, EIT

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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 APEGBC a royalty-free, worldwide licence to publish the material; 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 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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