INNOVATION September-October 2017

N E W S

CONFLICT OF INTEREST INVESTIGATION INTO CONTAMINATED SOIL FACILITY NEAR SHAWNIGAN LAKE CONCLUDES

An extensive investigation by Engineers and Geoscientists BC into a possible conflict of interest related to a contaminated soil facility near Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island has reached a conclusion. The investigation determined that, in the matter of conflict of interest, there were no reasonable or probable grounds to believe that any of the five professionals employed by Active Earth Engineering (AEE) demonstrated unprofessional conduct or contravened the association’s Code of Ethics in providing professional technical services to the operator of the facility, South Island Aggregates/Cobble Hill Holdings (SIA/CHH). The association’s investigation included analyzing the role that the AEE professionals performed in the permitting process and the nature of the financial relationship between AEE and SIA/CCH. Extensive evidence was considered, including documents submitted by the complainants, public documents, affidavits, interviews, AEE’s internal and external communications, the decision of the Environmental Appeal Board and the judicial review. The investigation began in July 2015 following multiple complaints from the public alleging that the AEE professionals

were in an undisclosed conflict of interest in providing professional technical services to SIA/CHH while also taking an ownership interest in the project. The investigation determined that AEE’s potential ownership interest was disclosed to the Ministry of Environment early on in the approval process. The Ministry of Environment delegate advised AEE that he was not concerned that it would be improper, from the Ministry of Environment’s perspective, for them to serve as “Qualified Professionals” for the permitting process while at the same time having an ownership interest in the project. The investigation also determined that, although a joint venture between AEE and SIA/CHH was discussed over a period of time, no agreement was ever reached. Additional background information related to this investigation is available in the News section of the Engineers and Geoscientists BC website, egbc.ca/news. Information about the association’s complaint, investigation and discipline process can be found in the Complaints and Discipline section of our website at egbc.ca/Complaints-Discipline. You can contact us at 604.412.4869 or toll-free at 1.888.430.8035 ext. 4869 or by email at complaints@egbc.ca.

WALTER GAGE BOOK LAUNCH IN NOVEMBER A book about former University of British Columbia President Walter Gage (1905-1978) will be published this fall. A number of UBC alumni, colleagues and friends have come together to supply their stories for the book, which honours the legacy of the former President and former Dean of Adminstrative and Inter-Faculty Affairs, and later Inter-Faculty and Student Affairs. Gage, for whom the Walter Gage Residence at UBC was named, was an influential member of the UBC community, and was with the university for 50 years. In 1971, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. The book is titled The Age of Gage: Untold Stories of How One Canadian Shaped the Lives of Thousands and celebrates Walter Gage’s contributions, from his successful career to more personal perspectives from those whose lives he touched. Gage is remembered for his teaching, his concern for individual students, and his keenness to help students—including an interest in developing student financial support programs—often giving financial assistance to students from his own pocket. The official book launch will be held November 16, 2017 in Vancouver. For information on the book or the book launch event, visit: waltergagebook.engineering.ubc.ca.

Walter H. Gage, CC

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