INNOVATION-November-December-2020

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ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BC LOOKS BACK AT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION YEAR While 2020 has introduced major disruptions into our world, it also marked a very significant event for Engineers and Geoscientists BC: our centennial anniversary. This year, engineering and geoscience professionals celebrated 100 years of ethics, excellence, and

Geoscientists BC celebrated this anniversary in many ways, both physically and virtually, including last year’s Centennial Reception in Kelowna, a Centennial Celebration at Science World in Vancouver on March 5, a virtual STEM contest for students, and a regular Centennial Newsletter. As this year-long celebration concludes, we look forward to another century focused on public protection and a vibrant future for engineering and geoscience .

UPDATED GUIDELINES FOR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR BUILDING PROJECTS NOW AVAILABLE Engineers and Geoscientists BC has released updated guidelines, titled Professional Practice Guidelines – Geotechnical Engineering Services for Building Projects , to assist professionals who may be involved in, or have an interest in, geotechnical engineering in the building design and construction industry in BC. First published in 1998, these updated guidelines provide additional clarity on the specific items related to geotechnical engineering for building projects in the Letters of Assurance, and discuss the roles and responsibilities of engineering professionals, particularly the Geotechnical Engineer of Record and other relevant parties. Notably, the updated guidelines clarify the obligations of professionals to identify and protect archeologically sensitive or significant areas affected by building projects. Specifically, the guidelines outline the need to determine the archeological significance of a project site in advance, and provide direction in situations where potential archeological artifacts are encountered after site work begins.

innovation—a century that has seen our professions grow from about 500 registrants in 1919 to over 38,000 registrants today who have anchored BC’s growth and prosperity. This past year, Engineers and

These guidelines, and other professional practice guidelines and practice-related resources, are provided at egbc.ca/Guidelines .

CEO ANN ENGLISH HONOURED WITH TOP CEO AWARD Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s CEO and Registrar Ann English, P.Eng., FEC, FCSSE, was recently awarded one of Business in Vancouver’s CEO of the Year Awards, in the category of publicly accountable organizations. Recipients were selected on the basis of their vision and strategy, financial performance, development of their employees, innovation, social responsibility, and sustainability. “We are proud to honour the business leadership of these individuals through challenging times,” said Kirk LaPointe, Business in Vancouver’s publisher and editor-in-chief. “Their accomplishments are remarkable and exemplary of British Columbia’s outstanding business community.” Ann’s award recognized her skills in organizational development, risk management, and effective governance as well as her work to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives for the professions and the organization. Over the past few years, Ann has led the organization through significant changes to its oversight and legislation and introduced new regulatory tools and programs that have set the

benchmark for professional regulation in engineering and geoscience across the country. She recently announced her intent to retire in August 2021 after eight years with Engineers and Geoscientists BC. “Although these awards are given to CEOs, the accomplishments that are recognized are the result of shared vision, collaboration, and teamwork across the whole organization and Council,” Ann stated. “It is indeed a pleasure and privilege to work with the entire team and this award recognizes the joint accomplishments of years of very hard work, dedication, and talent from a multitude of people.” Ann was honoured alongside Milton Carrasco of Transoft Solutions Inc., Shahrzad Rafati of BroadbandTV Corp., Roger Dall’Antonia of FortisBC, Darlene Hyde of the British Columbia Real Estate Association, and Cathy Thorpe of Nurse Next Door. Ann participated in a video podcast, sharing more about the challenges of leading an orgazniation during a pandemic, what lessons we can take away, and advice she would share with other leaders. To view the podcast, visit www.biv.com/video .

NEW PRACTICE ADVISORY NOW AVAILABLE FOR BUILDING PERMIT DOCUMENTS Engineers and Geoscientists BC has issued a practice advisory, titled Issued for Building Permit Documents , to inform registrants of the standards of practice regarding the completeness of sealed plans and supporting Building Code , the Vancouver Building By-law, and the National Building Code of Canada . The advisory clarifies that submission of an

incomplete design as part of a permit application exposes multiple parties to various types of risks, and may be considered evidence of unprofessional conduct. Full details and the current standard of practice are described in the practice advisory. This and other practice advisories, guidelines, and

documents from Engineers Of Record for a building permit application. The advisory also summarizes the results of a March 2019 disciplinary decision that confirms the standard for the completeness of these plans. The advisory indicates that plans submitted to an Authority Having Jurisdiction (such as a municipality) in support of an application for a building permit must substantially comply with the British Columbia

resources are available at egbc.ca/Guidelines . To contact an Engineers and Geoscientists BC practice advisor, email practiceadvisor@egbc.ca or call 1.888.430.8035 or 604.430.8035.

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