Innovation-March_April 2013

e t h i cs

Findings of the 2012 Survey on Ethics

Dr. Alison L. Dempsey

A third of all respondents (30%) reported experiencing pressure to compromise professional or ethical standards in their work for competitive or financial reasons.

I n November and December last year, APEGBC conducted an online survey of members and licensees on the topic of ethics in engineering and geoscience practice in BC. An overwhelming majority (92%) of the 755 respon- dents to the 2012 APEGBC Ethics Survey recognize the

importance of professional standards of conduct and ethics in the public perception of the engineering and geoscience professions. This finding is timely given the recent media coverage of corruption and scandals in the Canadian engineering and construction sectors, and huge penalties levied on resource sector companies for environmental damage due to improper monitoring and maintenance of equipment and safety standards. Whether or not these situations are isolated or reflective of a wider problem, these kinds of occurrences can have a negative impact on the reputation of the professions generally. The public relies on engineering and geoscience profes- sionals to ensure the safety of their physical environment and to protect against unacceptable risk. This reliance now extends to their technological environment with increas- ing awareness that technology-based systems also expose individuals and organisations to risks that cross many boundaries—spatial, legal and ethical. The commitment that APEGBC members and licens- ees make to work according to professional standards and to be governed by the Code of Ethics is the cornerstone of earning and maintaining that public trust. APEGBC wishes to thank all who took the time to participate in the survey for their contribution and valued insights into how APEGBC members and licensees experience ethics in practice. Among the other key findings, the survey results revealed that: • Respondents’ awareness of ethical issues and risks is reported to be high: however their use of resources spe- cifically related to the APEGBC Code of Ethics is low as is their direct experience of dealing with potential ethical breaches. • Over three quarters of respondents (79%) reported being governed by codes or standards of ethics and conduct in addition to the APEGBC Code of Ethics in their work context.

The Board of Directors of McElhanney Consulting Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Allan Russell as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 2013. Russell is an award-winning civil engineer with more than 25 years’ experience in major construction projects. He has also served on the Boards of both ACEC–Canada and ACEC–BC. Incumbent President and CEO Chris Newcomb says, “Allan has clearly demonstrated the energy, skill, and vision necessary to lead McElhanney forward for many years into the future. I’m delighted he has accepted this role.” “McElhanney has a long tradition of quality and innovation that has made it very successful,” says Russell, previously McElhanney’s Vice President, Vancouver Region Engineering and Major Projects. “I’m looking forward to leading the McElhanney team, to take the company to the next level of excellence and success.” McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. appoints Allan Russell, P.Eng., as new President and CEO

www.McElhanney.com Vancouver@McElhanney.com 604.683.8521

McElhanney is a Canadian consulting firm, providing engineering, surveying, mapping, planning, and environmental services through a network of 20 local offices across Western Canada and in Indonesia. Calgary | Campbell River | Canmore | Courtenay | Cranbrook | Duncan | Edmonton | Kamloops | Kitimat | Moose Jaw | Nanaimo | Penticton | Prince George | Prince Rupert | Regina | Saskatoon | Smithers | Surrey | Terrace | Vancouver | Victoria | Jakarta

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