INNOVATION November-December 2016

2016 Annual General Meeting in Review APEGBC’s 97 th Annual General Meeting was held October 22, in Victoria, BC. Delegates included 109 members and licensees, and eight members-in-training. The Association’s 2015/2016 President Dr. Michael Wrinch, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.), chaired the meeting. After acknowledging the ancestral, traditional and unceded Aboriginal territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, and in particular the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, on whose territory the meeting was taking place, Dr. Wrinch introduced the Honourable Ralph Sultan, P.Eng., who spoke on behalf of the BC Government and introduced video greetings fromMinister of Advanced Education, the Honourable Andrew Wilkinson. Dr. Wrinch also reviewed Council’s roles and responsibilities. A motion to approve the meeting agenda was carried. Parliamentarian Eli Mina reviewed the meeting rules. A motion to approve the meeting rules was carried. Dr. Wrinch then introduced and recognised the volunteers and contributors who give their time and expertise to enhance the guidance and standards available to members. He also thanked the association’s past presidents, deans of BC’s educational institutions, student representatives and officials of other associations. He noted that the minutes of the 2015 AGM were available at the meeting registration desk. A motion to approve the minutes of the 2015 AGM was carried. Election Results APEGBC’s Chief Scrutineer, Paul Blanchard, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.), explained the process applied for the 2015/2016 Council election. Blanchard stated that he and his fellow scrutineers were satisfied that the election was conducted in a confidential, fair and impartial manner. Delegates were invited to ask questions about the election process. Council election results were announced (See page 10). A motion to destroy the paper and electronic ballots for the Council election vote be destroyed at the end of three months was carried. Annual Report Presented Dr. Wrinch, and CEO and Registrar Ann English, P.Eng., reported on APEGBC activities and achievements for 2015/2016. Councillor John Turner, P.Ag. (ret.) presented a report from Council’s government-appointed members. Councillor and Audit Committee Chair Ken Laloge, CPA, CA, TEP, reviewed the association’s financial statements, reported on the results of the audit, and affirmed the committee’s view that the financial statements and notes contained in the 2015/2016 Annual Report fairly and accurately represent the association’s financial dealings for the year ending June 30, 2016.

Delegates were provided opportunity to ask questions after each report. The assembly then passed a motion to appoint PriceWaterhouse Coopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, as APEGBC’s auditor for the new fiscal year, ending June 30, 2017. Greetings from Geoscientists Canada and Engineers Canada Geoscientists Canada CEO Oliver Bonham, P.Geo, FGC, and Engineers Canada President Chris Roney, P.Eng., FEC, greeted the assembly. In Memoriam The assembly observed a minute of silence to remember association members who had passed away during the previous year. Commemorative booklets containing the names were provided. Motions Members and licensees presented motions for consideration by Council: Motion 1: That Council consider developing a proactive guideline that will require all members to take into consideration options to achieve net zero emissions in their professional practice. Carried Motion 2: That Council consider reporting the results of membership voting by branch, which then would be aggregated to the total returns. Carried Motion 3: That, in the interest of improved openness and transparency with the membership and the public, Council consider implementing a policy of publishing, both in Innovation and by broadcasting to the membership by email, any received written request signed by 25 members [pursuant to section 12(7) of the Engineers and Geoscientists Act ] at the earliest possible opportunity. Carried 2015/2016 Council Induction Dr. Wrinch introduced the president for the 2016/2017 Council, Bob Stewart, P.Eng. Stewart took the oath of office, introduced Council for 2016/2017, and presented the Gold Foil Life Member disc to Past President Dr. Wrinch. Dr. Wrinch announced the association’s 2017 conference and annual general meeting in Whistler, BC, on October 19–21, 2017, and adjourned the meeting.

photo : roop jawl photography

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