Innovation-July-August-2023

INNOVAT ION JULY/AUGUST 2023 | volume 27 number 4 ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BRITISH COLUMBIA Suite 200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC Canada V5C 6N2 Tel: 604.430.8035 | Toll free: 1.888.430.8035

V I E W P O I N T

A NEW DOOR OPENS Engineers and Geoscientists BC is undergoing a significant change as part of our evolution as a regulator. On June 27, we announced our organization will be supporting the creation of an independent advocacy body for professional engineers and geoscientists in BC. This body is intended to support engineers and geoscientists in ways that are no longer in our regulatory mandate under

Email: info@egbc.ca | Web: egbc.ca

BOARD 2022/2023 Chair Mark Adams, P.Eng. Vice Chair Michelle Mahovlich, P.Eng., P.Geo. Immediate Past Chair Carol Park, P.Eng.

BOARD MEMBERS Suky Cheema, CPA, CA; Leslie Hildebrandt, ICD.D, LLB; Emily Lewis, CPA, CMA; Karen Ling, P.Eng.; Mahsoo Naderi-Dasoar, P.Eng.; Mark Porter, P.Eng., Struct.Eng.; Jessica Steeves, P.Eng.; Jens Weber, P.Eng.; David Wells, JD EXECUTIVE TEAM Heidi Yang, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.), Chief Executive Officer Liza Aboud, MBA, ABC, ICD.D, Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Cho, CPA, CGA, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer David Pavan, R.PH., Chief Regulatory Officer and Registrar EDITORIAL ADVISORY GROUP Dr. Iqbal Bhuiyan, P.Eng.; Ryan Bird, P.Eng.; Allen Heinrichs, P.Eng.; Mahsa Mohajerani, P.Eng.; Raya Smertina, P.Eng.; Aman Tanvir, P.Eng.; Stefano Vitucci, P.Eng. Innovation is published bi-monthly, six times a year by Engineers and Geoscientists BC. As the official publication of the organization, Innovation is circulated to all registrants of Engineers and Geoscientists BC as well as architects, contractors and industry executives. The views expressed in any article do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Board or Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Sales Representative: Wing-Yee Kwong Tel: 604.681.1811 Email: advertising@egbc.ca For information see: www.egbc.ca/About/Publications/Innovation/How-to-Advertise SUBMISSIONS Innovation does not accept unsolicited articles or photos, but we do welcome article proposals and ideas. Proposals should be of interest and relevant to our readers and recognise the regulatory role of Engineers and Geoscientists BC in ensuring public safety and environmental protection. They should not be a "sales pitch" for a company or organization. Send suggestions to: innovation@egbc.ca. LETTERS Innovation welcomes letters from our readers. All submitted letters may be subject to editing for length, clarity or accuracy. We reserve the right to reject unsuitable letters and we do not publish open letters to third parties. Send letters to: innovation@egbc.ca REPRINTS & COPIES All material is copyright. For reprint permission or extra copies, contact: innovation@egbc.ca SUBSCRIPTIONS All registrants with Engineers and Geoscientists BC receive Innovation in print or digital form. Registrants can update their communication preferences for Innovation in their accounts at egbc.ca/account. Send print or digital subscription requests to: innovation@egbc.ca. MANAGING EDITOR Shelley Nicholl Printed in Canada by Mitchell Press Ltd on recycled paper ADVERTISING SALES

the requirements of the Professional Governance Act . It's a positive change, and a necessary one. It offers future opportunities for advocacy and support for upcoming and established engineers and geoscientists—things that will benefit professionals and the public. We also understand you'll have a lot of questions: How will it be run? How much will it cost? What will new programs look like? What benefits will we have? Details will come as the advocacy body takes shape after the steering committee is established in August and selects the inaugural board of directors in the fall. The advocacy body board will make decisions on structure, costs, and programs. When the advocacy body is fully operational in two years, we should have a clear picture of what advocacy for engineers and geoscientists looks like. The creation of the advocacy body does not change registrants’ ongoing requirements or licensing fees. While some programs will no longer continue, Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s regulatory focus stays the same. The advocacy body offers a new direction for the professions. While other advocacy models exist in different industries, we have the ability to carve out what works for engineers and geoscientists in BC. We have the opportunity to create our own way forward allowing both organizations to thrive. You can be involved, too, and I would encourage anyone interested to look into serving on the advocacy body's board of directors or in another capacity as volunteer opportunities are confirmed. I have found my board and volunteer experience to be a great learning experience, personally and professionally. The ability to shape a future that will benefit others is incredibly rewarding. If you are interested in participating in the advocacy process, you can learn more at egbc.ca/advocacybody and provide your email address to connect with the steering committee. It's a new door open for engineers and geoscientists in BC. Let's embrace the value of this unique opportunity.

Mark Adams, P.Eng., Board Chair

info@egbc.ca

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ISSN 1206-3622 Publications Mail Agreement No 40065271. Registration No 09799. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Innovation , Suite 200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC V5C 6N2.

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