INNOVATION March-April 2016

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Working with Government Moving BC’s Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Forward On February 29 and March 1, APEGBC hosted receptions with the BC Liberal Caucus and the BC Official Opposition Caucus in Victoria. The purpose was to provide an informal forum where Council and senior staff could interact with ministers and MLAs to share the ways that APEGBC works on behalf of British Columbians and to answer questions posed by officials. Dr. Carlos Ventura, P.Eng., Director of UBC’s Earthquake Engineering Research Facility, presented on early warning earthquake technology, highlighting an example of how engineers and geoscientists are creating world-class innovations and technologies here in BC. Hon. Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Advanced Education, brought greetings on behalf of the BC Government at the evening reception, which was attended by 28 caucus members including: Hon. Suzanne Anton, Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Hon. Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines; Hon. Mike Bernier, Minister of Education; Hon. Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development; Hon. Norm Letnick, Minister of Agriculture; Hon. Mike Morris, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General; Hon. Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction; Hon. John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations; Hon. Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizen’s Services; Hon. Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade; Hon. Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Emergency Planning; and, Dr. Ralph Sultan, P.Eng., MLA West Vancouver–Capilano. Kathy Corrigan, MLA for Burnaby–Deer Lake and Advanced Education critic brought greetings on behalf of the BC Official Opposition caucus at the breakfast reception, which was also well attended with 12 caucus members present. T op : Hon. Mike Bernier, Minister of Education, receives a “Champions of Earthquake Resilience Award” for BC’s work on seismically upgrading schools. F rom left : APEGBC President Dr. Michael Wrinch, P.Eng., APEGBC CEO Ann English, P.Eng., Minister Bernier, and UBC Professor Dr. Carlos Ventura, P.Eng.  M iddle , from left : MLA Jane Thornthwaite; MLA Dr. Ralph Sultan, P.Eng.; APEGBC Councillor Dr. ‘Lyn Anglin, P.Geo.; MLA Gordon Hogg. B ottom , from left : APEGBC CEO Ann English, P.Eng., Hon. Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Advanced Education; APEGBC Councillor Caroline Andrewes, P.Eng.; APEGBC President Dr. Michael Wrinch, P.Eng. P hotos , R oop J awl

Nominate a Colleague for an APEGBC Award Nominations are being accepted for APEGBC’s President’s Awards and Mentor of the Year Award until April 15, 2016. The APEGBC President’s Awards recognise the exemplary and outstanding professional, technical and community contributions of APEGBC members and allow the association to showcase the professions. The President’s Awards include five categories of achievement, and two awards for exemplary career-long contributions to the engineering and geoscience professions. APEGBC’s Mentor of the Year Award recognises excellence among mentors in BC’s engineering and geoscience community. Nominees must be a mentor in the APEGBC Mentoring Program. For criteria and nomination procedures, visit: apeg.bc.ca/For-Members/Awards.

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