Innovation May-June 2022

INNOVAT ION MAY/JUNE 2022 | volUME 26 NUMbEr 3 ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BRITISH COLUMBIA Suite 200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC Canada V5C 6N2 Tel: 604.430.8035 Fax: 604.430.8085 Email: info@egbc.ca Web: egbc.ca Toll free: 1.888.430.8035

R E G U L A T O R Y N E W S

THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN: BECOMING AN INCLUSIVE, PROGRESSIVE, FUTURE-FOCUSED REGULATOR Six months ago, Council began work developing Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s next five-year Strategic Plan. I am happy to report that the Plan, released in late May, provides clarity to our role as a regulator, emphasizes modernized and agile approaches to regulation,

MOUNT POLLEY INVESTIGATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDE Engineers and Geoscientists BC has concluded its disciplinary proceedings against three individuals in relation to their work at the Mount Polley Mine. The multi-year investigations were initiated following the breach of the mine’s tailings storage facility on August 4, 2014. Three current and former engineers involved at the Mount Polley Mine Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) face a range of penalties arising from the disciplinary proceedings: • Former engineer Todd Martin; • Laura Fidel, P.Eng.; and • Former engineer Stephen Rice. These cases represent some of the most complex investigations Engineers and Geoscientists BC has undertaken. During the course of the investigations, thousands of documents were reviewed, including contracts, technical reports and drawings, correspondence, and daily site reports. “This marks the final chapter in a long and difficult story for our province and our professions,” said Heidi Yang, P.Eng., CEO of Engineers and Geoscientists BC. “Over the past several years, our focus has been on delivering a comprehensive, rigorous, and fair process, and we’re pleased to be able to provide the public with these results. The conclusion of these cases, combined with resources we’ve developed to improve dam safety, will strengthen our professions and our province’s environmental safeguards.” Following the breach, Engineers and Geoscientists BC took actions to improve dam safety in BC, which

COUNCIL 2021/2022 President C. Park, P.Eng. Vice President M. Adams, P.Eng. Immediate Past President L. Spence, P.Eng.

COUNCILLORS Emily Lewis, CPA, CMA; Suky Cheema, CPA, CA;

Leslie Hildebrandt, ICD.D, LLB; Michelle Mahovlich, P.Eng./P.Geo.; Jessica Steeves, P.Eng.; Kevin Turner, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.); Dr. Brent Ward, P.Geo., FGC, FEC (Hon.); Jens Weber, P.Eng. David Wells, JD ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BC EXECUTIVE TEAM Heidi Yang, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.), Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Cho, CPA, CGA, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Deesh Olychick, Acting Chief Operating Officer Mark Rigolo, P.Eng., Acting Chief Regulatory Officer and Registrar

strengthens our collaboration with partners, embodies social responsibility as a core value, and provides support for emerging as well as traditional disciplines. Volunteers, staff, and stakeholders thought that it was the right time for a new, overarching plan to guide the organization. With the introduction of the Professional Governance Act last year, Engineers and Geoscientists BC has gone through an exceptional period of change, and our previous plan was outdated and no longer reflected who we are today. The new Strategic Plan charts our course over the next five years and outlines our values as an organization. The Strategic Plan also considers Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s role within a world that is constantly changing. Climate events, social movements, incredible technological advances, and the evolving ecosystems of engineering and geoscience all influence the work that we do. So while our primary focus remains the same—protecting the public interest—we must also adapt to ensure our organization and our registrants can continue to support the safety, resilience, and evolution of the communities we all call home. For registrants, our Plan means strengthening public confidence in our organization and our professions and supporting both emerging and traditional disciplines. For volunteers, our Plan means providing the necessary and deserved support for the vital work they provide as the cornerstone of self-regulation. For the public, the Plan means applying all its elements towards a primary goal: being resilient and agile so that we can meet the public’s needs not just for today, but for tomorrow. For more information about the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, or to view the video, visit Page 12 or egbc.ca/Strategic-Plan .

Chris Hawley, Managing Editor

EDITORIAL ADVISORY GROUP M.I.H. Bhuiyan, P.Eng.; E.A. Brown, P.Eng.; K.C. Chan, P.Eng., CPA; H. Ghalibafian, P.Eng.; G. Grill, P.Eng.; G. Kwong, P.Eng.; R. Ord, P.Eng.; R. Smertina, P.Eng.

Advertising material must reach the publication by the first day of the first month (e.g., May 1 for the MAY/JUNE issue), or by the first business day immediately preceding the first day of the first month.

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included producing professional practice guidelines for site characterization for dam foundations in BC, updating existing guidelines to confirm the duties of the “Engineer of Record,” and holding professional development seminars. Engineers and Geoscientists BC is also currently updating its guidelines on legislated dam safety reviews. The authority to regulate engineering and geoscience firms—a new regulatory responsibility that was introduced with the Professional Governance Act —will also

enhance Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s ability to protect the public and address standards of conduct and practice at the organizational level. In the course of these disciplinary proceedings, Engineers and Geoscientists BC did not make allegations or findings as to the cause of the embankment failure. That matter was separately addressed in reports of the Mount Polley Independent Expert Engineering Investigation and Review Panel and the Chief Inspector of Mines.

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Innovation is published six times a year by Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia. As the official publication of the association, Innovation is circulated to members of the engineering and geoscience professions, architects, contractors and industry executives. The views expressed in any article contained herein do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Council or membership of this association. Submission Guidelines: Innovation encourages unsolicited articles and photos. By submitting material to Innovation , you grant Engineers and Geoscientists BC a royalty-free, worldwide licence to publish the material; and you warrant that you have the authority to grant such rights and have obtained waivers of all associated moral rights. Innovation reserves the right to edit material for length, clarity and conformity with our editorial guidelines ( egbc.ca/innovation-editorial ) and is under no obligation to publish any or all submissions or any portion thereof, including credits. All material is copyright. Please contact the Managing Editor for reprint permission.

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Carol Park, P.Eng., President

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