INNOVATION March-April 2014

APEGBC Update on Government Relations Activities On February 24 and 25, 2014, APEGBC hosted government networking receptions with the BC Liberal Caucus and the BC NDP Official Opposition Caucus in Victoria. The purpose of these events was to provide an informal forumwhere Council and senior staff could interact with Ministers and MLAs to share the ways that APEGBC works on behalf of the people of BC and to hear concerns and answer questions posed by officials. President Michael Bapty, P.Eng., FEC, provided welcoming remarks to both groups and Vice President Dr. John Clague, P.Geo., FGC, gave an insightful presentation about the potential impact of an earthquake in BC, how government actions have improved preparedness, and what other steps legislators should consider to help prepare for a major seismic event. Hon. Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, brought greetings on behalf of Premier Christy Clark and the BC Government and highlighted the numerous ways the professions are critical to the economy, with specific mention of natural gas, transportation infrastructure and mining. The BC Liberal reception was extremely well-attended with 32 caucus mem- bers present throughout the evening, including: Minister Bond; Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation; Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education; Suzanne Anton, Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizen’s Services; John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation; Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development; Don McRae, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation; Ralph Sultan, P.Eng., MLA West Vancouver-Capilano; Michelle Stilwell, Parliamentary Secretary for Healthy Living; Linda Larson, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors; Richard Lee, Parliamentary Secretary for Asia Pacific; Norm Letnick, Parliamentary Secretary for Intergovernmental Relations; Marc Dalton, Parliamentary Secretary for Independent Schools; Jane Thornthwaite, Parliamentary Secretary for Student Support; John Yap, Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Policy Reform; Donna Barnett, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development; Darryl Plecas, Parliamentary Secretary for Crime Reduction; Laurie Throness, Parliamentary Secretary for Corrections; Dan Ashton, Parliamentary Secretary for Core Review; Jordan Sturdy, Parliamentary Secretary for Transportation; Linda Reimer, Parliamentary Secretary for Communities; Douglas Horne, Deputy Speaker; Mike Morris, MLA Prince George Mackenzie; Simon Gibson, MLA Abbotsford Mission; Jackie Tegart, MLA Fraser Nicola; Marvin Hunt, MLA Surrey Panorama; Sam Sullivan, MLA Vancouver False Creek; Mike Bernier, MLA Peace River South; John Martin, MLA Chilliwack; and Doug Bing, MLA Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows. The BC NDP breakfast reception saw 11 MLAs in attendance (Harry Bains, MLA Surrey-Newton; Raj Chouhan, MLA Burnaby-Edmonds; Kathy Corrigan, MLA Burnaby-Deer Lake; Doug Donaldson, MLA Stikine; David Eby, MLA Vancouver- Point Grey; Mable Elmore, MLA Vancouver-Kensington; Rob Fleming, MLA Victoria-Swan Lake; Scott Fraser, MLA Alberni-Pacific Rim; Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South; Bruce Ralston, MLA Surrey-Whalley; Bill Routley, MLA Cowichan Valley). David Eby, Advanced Education Critic and MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey brought greetings on behalf of the official opposition and thanked the association for the work done on behalf of the people of BC, noting that the professions are strong advocates for the public interest, in particular with regard to seismic safety in BC’s schools and foreign-trained accreditation. Engineers and geoscientists play a key role in the public safety and well-being, and APEGBC is committed to working constructively with governments at all levels to assist in carrying out this responsibility. For more information on APEGBC’s government rela- tions activities, contact Janet Sinclair, Chief Operating Officer, at jsinclair@apeg.bc.ca.

Dr. John Clague, P.Geo., FGC, APEGBC Vice President, presenting to the group.

Left to right: MLA Richard Lee, Mike Waberski, Hon. Steve Thompson, Ken Laloge, CA, Tony Chong

Left to right: Mike Bapty, P.Eng., FEC, Hon. Shirley Bond, Ann English, P.Eng.

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