Innovation September-October 2023

Engineers and Geoscientists BC Awards | CE Deadlines | Annual Renewal

INNOVATION ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BRITISH COLUMBIA SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023

WHY MORE COMPLAINTS ARE BEING INVESTIGATED REGISTRANT SURVEY RESULTS DECOLONIZING PRACTICE: RESPECTING NATURE INSTEAD OF CONTROLLING IT

PM40065271

Working together, we can build a resilient future.

Habitat for British Columbia's biodiversity is in rapid decline, but you can help. For over 50 years, The Nature Trust of British Columbia has been working to conserve, restore and manage important land across BC for vulnerable plants, fish and wildlife.

Please donate today! naturetrust.bc.ca/giving

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 | volume 27 number 5 INNOVAT ION

COVER STORY DECOLONIZING IN PRACTICE Working with Indigenous knowledge keepers on projects, registrants will discover a different perspective of respecting the land, rather than controlling it. P hoto : W endy D P hotography

COMMENT

4 VIEWPOINT

REGULATORY NEWS

5 INNOVATION BECOMES QUARTERLY 6 ANNUAL RENEWAL 6 AGM REMINDER 8 CONTINUING EDUCATION DEADLINES 16 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE Q & A 23 REGISTRANT SURVEY RESULTS 31 MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED 38 CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES

10

FINDING A NEW TASK FOR TRASH Instead of plastic bottles piling up in landfills, they could be used to fortify landfills to prevent harmful pollutants from seeping out.

FEATURES

18

10 DECOLONIZING IN PRACTICE 18 ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BC ANNUAL AWARDS 26 WHY COMPLAINTS ARE INCREASING 32 REPURPOSING PLASTIC IN LANDFILLS

MEET THE 2023 ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BC AWARD WINNERS

OTHER

31 IN MEMORIAM 37 DISPLAY ADVERTISERS' INDEX

32

ON THE COVER When looking at development in False Creek and addressing rising sea levels, an Indigenous knowledge keeper may provide an understanding about the natural history of the area and how that history can affect future projects. P hoto : W endy D P hotography

THE DIGITALEDITION OF INNOVATION INCLUDESVIDEO EXTRAS. TOACCESS, SCANTHIS QR CODE FROMANYMOBILE DEVICE, OR GOTO EGBC.CA/INNOVATION. INTHE DIGITALEDITION, CLICK ONTHE PLAYBUTTONTOVIEWCONTENT.

I N N O V A T I O N

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

3

INNOVAT ION SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 | volume 27 number 5 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

FROM REGISTRANT TO CHAIR: REFLECTING ON A DECADE OF TRANSFORMATION It is with great pride that I complete my term as the last President and first Chair of the Engineers and Geoscientists BC Board. This year marks my 10 th anniversary of volunteering with the organization. I started as a member of the Continuing Professional Development Committee in February 2013

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

and am fortunate to have been part of the decade of transformation that followed, having the opportunity to give back in more and more impactful ways leading up to now. As I reflect on the many collective accomplishments since coming out of COVID last year, I take pride in the key initiatives we tackled to improve and focus the organization, including: ▶ Continued progress on our exciting 2022-2027 strategic plan ▶ Improved board governance and stability through the revamped Chair election process and committee structure ▶ Renewed organizational relationships after the COVID restrictions ▶ Strengthened connections with and feedback into the work of Engineers Canada and Geoscientists Canada In addition to the above, the most significant decision this year was supporting the creation of an independent advocacy body and the resulting changes to our current programs. This was a complex division, but a necessary one. Engineers and Geoscientists BC now has a sharper focus on its regulatory mandate and registrants will be able to find support for their advocacy interests in a separate body. We are excited to work in true partnership with the new body as it forms to support the professions and people of BC. This has certainly been of year of growth for the organization. It has also been a year of personal growth for me. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience to be your Board Chair and it is truly the culmination of the last decade of my volunteering with Engineers and Geoscientists BC. I exit my role as Chair with enormous gratitude, looking forward to what and who will come after me. As always, I thank you sincerely for your years of support and your continued commitment to the public and our professions.

MANAGING EDITOR Shelley Nicholl

EDITORIAL ADVISORY GROUP 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.

Printed in Canada by Mitchell Press Ltd on recycled paper

ADVERTISING SALES

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.

Mark Adams, P.Eng., Board Chair

info@egbc.ca

WEBSITE & DIGITAL EDITION www.egbc.ca/About/Publications/Innovation

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.

4

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

I N N O V A T I O N

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

INNOVATION BECOMING QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

mandate of our organization and will continue to feature articles that demonstrate how registrants are incorporating sustainability and public safety in their practice. Our annual project highlights issue will remain with a refined focus on projects that define a resilient future, sustainability and public safety. Submissions will be open January 2, 2024, and close on March 1, 2024. The projects will be published in our June edition. More details about criteria will be announced in the November/December Innovation and be available online at: egbc.ca/About/Publications/Innovation/ Project-Highlights-Pictorial . You will continue to find all the important information to meet your regulatory

and licensing obligations in Innovation . In addition to our regular features on professional practice, CE and disciplinary cases, we will be expanding into areas critical to assisting registrants in all aspects of their practice, including inclusiveness, sustainability, legal matters and ethics. As always, your suggestions and ideas for content are welcome; email us at innovation@egbc.ca . REMINDER Innovation is mandatory for registrants in print or digital versions. To change how you receive the magazine, please go to your online account to select your preference under General/Overview/Communication Preferences. You must make the selections yourself in your account, as they cannot be made by a third party.

Starting in January 2024, Innovation will convert to a quarterly magazine from its current frequency of six times a year. Engineers and Geoscientists BC has been fine tuning programs to ensure they continue to meet the organization's needs. Innovation is a valuable and important communications channel and will continue to be offered in print and digital format. Next year, Innovation will be published in March (spring), June (summer), September (fall) and December (winter). Updated content and advertising deadlines will be on our website before the end of the year ( egbc.ca/About/ Publications/Innovation ). We have already shifted the content of the magazine to reflect the regulatory

MMCD Accepted, BC MoTI Recognized, AREMA Approved

75

I N N O V A T I O N

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

5

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

The 2023 Engineers and Geoscientists BC Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, October 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The AGM will be conducted using a hybrid format, allowing registrants to attend online or in-person in Whistler, BC. The AGM is an opportunity for registrants to hear from the Board and senior staff about the organization’s strategic progress, key initiatives, and financial standing. It also provides an opportunity for registrants to bring forward motions for the consideration of the Board. All registrants are encouraged to attend and participate in the AGM. Students and members of the public are welcome to attend as observers. All participants must pre-register to attend by October 19 at 12 p.m. Limited late registrations will be accepted, as space permits. For more information and to register, visit egbc.ca/agm . REGISTER FOR AGM BY OCTOBER 19

ANNUAL REGISTRATION RENEWAL STARTS IN NOVEMBER It’s almost time to renew your registration and pay annual fees for 2024. Individual registrants can renew their registration beginning November 15, 2023, and must renew by December 31, 2023. In the Engineers and Geoscientists BC 2023/2024 annual budget, an increase in fees was approved to take effect January 1, 2024. Individual registrant fees will now be $520 and the fee for non-practicing/retired registrants is $130. Trainee fees are $286. The fee increase is needed for improvements to systems and processes that support the organization’s strategic plan and secure and protect the organization’s critical data to remain in compliance with the evolving requirements of BC privacy legislation. In addition, just under half of the fee increase is due to inflation. The fees rose $50 for practicing registrants, $13 for non-practicing/ retired registrants and $10 for trainees. HOW TO RENEW Renew your registration and pay your fees electronically by signing into your Engineers and Geoscientists BC account at egbc.ca/Account . Registrants who have not paid their annual fee by December 31, 2023, will be subject to late fees (15 percent of fee), and those who have not renewed by January 31, 2024, will be struck off the register. The December 31, 2023, renewal deadline also applies to registrants who submit their 2024 annual renewal invoice to their employers for payment. Please allow enough time for your employer to process your renewal. Individual registrants can go to egbc.ca/Registration/ Individual-Registrants/Renew-Your-Registration for information on renewing or to egbc.ca/Registration/ Individual-Registrants/Fees for fee information. WHAT IF I WANT TO RESIGN? If you wish to resign your license with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, be sure to do so before December 31, 2023, to avoid late fees. Resignation can be completed by signing into your Engineers and Geoscientists BC account, or by contacting Engineers and Geoscientists BC directly.

6

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

I N N O V A T I O N

Get the guidance you need

To build your financial future The Engineers Canada-sponsored Financial Security Program offers a range of plans with Canada Life to help you grow your savings, then turn your savings into income for your retirement years. Personalized guidance to help you reach new heights As an engineer or geoscientist, you know that nothing should be built without a solid foundation. That’s where your personal health and wealth consultant comes in. They’re licensed professionals who can: Meet with you online – when it’s convenient for you Help guide you through all stages of your financial journey Talk to you in more than 10 languages

Take it from those who have met with a health and wealth consultant:

99% said all their questions were answered on their personal needs. 98% felt they were spoken to in a way that was easy to understand 97% said they felt valued

Learn more today! canlife.co/engineerscanada

Plus, being part of a group plan means you get to enjoy lower-than-retail fees* – which means more money for you!

A plan built just for you.

*Lower investment management fees, when compared to typical individual investment and retirement savings plans.

Canada Life and design, and For Life As You Know It, are trademarks of The Canada Life Assurance Company.

I N N O V A T I O N

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

7

A S S O C I A T I O N

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

REGISTRANTS REMINDED TO COMPLETE 60 CE HOURS

UPCOMING WEBINAR TO HELP DEVELOP LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Engineers and Geoscientists BC and Engineers Canada will hosting a free one hour webinar entitled Land Acknowledgments for Engineers and Geoscientists , scheduled for March 10, 2021. This session will explore the practice of acknowledging First Peoples and traditional land as a way to open meetings, and also as part of a larger process towards reconciliation between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Cassandra Polyzou of Engineers Canada will facilitate a panel discussion with Indigenous engineers, geoscientists, and Indigenous knowledge-keepers, on the importance of this traditional protocol and its application to the engineering and geoscience professions. To learn more or to register, visit the event page at egbc.ca/Events , or email Allison Smith at asmith@egbc.ca . The Events Page includes upcoming webinars and on-demand offerings through the Online Learning Centre. To suggest future topics or speakers, email pdevents@egbc.ca . So far, about 40 percent of practicing registrants have completed their 60 CE Hours. AREAS OF LEARNING AND MANDATORY MODULE Registra ts can choose from four areas of learning to complete their 60 hours and meet their CE requirements: THIRD 3 YEAR PERIOD 2024 - 2025 End of second 3-year p riod on June 30, 2025 2025 - 2026 End of third 3-year period on June 30, 2026 G raphics : E ngineers and G eoscientists BC

As part of the Continuing Education (CE) Program, professional registrants must complete 60 CE Hours in every three-year rolling period. The first three-year rolling period will be ending on June 30, 2024. By that time, most professional registrants, specifically those registered since 2021, will need to have completed 60 CE Hours.

ethical, regulatory, technical, and communications and leadership learning. Registrants must complete a new Regulatory Learning Module every year; these hours are part of the 60 CE Hour requirement. This year’s module focuses on how engineers and geoscientists can consider and address the impacts of climate change and sustainability in professional practice. The module is free and will take approximately an hour to complete. After completing the module, the session will be recorded in the registrant's online reporting system for one CE Hour of Regulatory Learning, and it will be noted that the registrant has met the annual Regulatory Learning requirement. The module is now available for all registrants through the online Knowledge Centre ( egbc.ca/knowledge-centre ). CE REQUIREMENTS The 2023-2024 CE requirements are ( egbc.ca/Continuing-Education/ Continuing-Education/Requirements ): 1. Regulatory Learning: Registrants must complete the mandatory Regulatory Learning Module for 2023–2024 on climate change and sustainability. 2. Ethical Learning: Registrants must record one CE Hour of Ethical Learning in the CE Reporting System in their account. 3. CE Plan: Registrants must complete a CE Plan and save it to their personal files (templates available on the CE Resources webpage egbc.ca/Continuing-Education/ Continuing-Education/Resources ). 4. 60 CE Hours: Registrants must

P hoto : eB a dventure P hotograPhy / shutterstoCK . Com

ROFESSIONAL GOVERNANCE ACT

FIRST 3 YEAR PERIOD

edition of Innovation magazine ( egbc.ca/innovation ), and produced a short video about the PGA. To register for the upcoming webinars, watch previous PGA webinars, download the insert, or view the video, visit egbc.ca/pga . 2021 - 2022 First 3-year period begins July 1, 2021 2022 - 2023

paring onal

SECOND 3 YEAR PERIOD

in the ng ew force

2023 - 2024 End of first 3-year period on June 30, 2024

If you have questions about the new legislation, email

SAMPLE REPORTING YEAR OF CE PROGRAM, BY MONTH

professionalgovernance@egbc.ca , or visit our website at egbc.ca/pga . Designation

021,

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

May

June

d

Complete CE Requirements

Practising

n

Declare CE; submit AR

Non-Practising, Retired, Trainees Life - Non-Practising

Submit AR

cs on

When you need a teamwith deep industry understanding, we’re there. At Norton Rose Fulbright, we combine

on and on

ng dings

extensive local experience with global perspective. Our dedicated team provides highly pragmatic legal advice in construction, engineering and infrastructure. Wherever you are looking next, we have the in-depth knowledge to meet your needs. Law around the world nortonrosefulbright.com

BC’s

e

med e

uide,

record at least 60 CE Hours of activities over each three-year

I N N O V A T I O N

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1

7

8

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

I N N O V A T I O N

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

rolling period in the CE Reporting System. An additional 60 CE Hours of Technical Learning directly related to structural engineering practice are required for designated structural engineers.

Q & A How do I add activities to the CE Reporting system? Go to your CE Reporting System, then click the blue “Activity” button and then click “Add New Activity.” What is a CE Hour? Registrants record the real-time hours (or parts of hours) spent learning or advancing skills and knowledge. What are the maximum CE Hours I can take? There are no maximum CE Hours in any single category. However, registrants should be able to justify how each activity recorded contributes to maintaining their competency if selected for a compliance audit. Do I have to use an accredited provider? CE providers do not need to be accredited to count towards your CE Hours and a certificate of completion is also not required. However, registrants do need to retain documentation showing that they completed activities and

provide these if requested during a compliance audit. Can past activities be used? Registrants can record activities completed any time during the three-year rolling period. This means a registrant can still enter CE activities that were completed previously, as long they are in the one of the three reporting years. Can I carry forward CE Hours? CE activities cannot be carried forward to the following reporting period; they must be attributed to the year they were completed. For more answers to frequently asked questions, visit our CE FAQs webpage ( egbc.ca/Continuing Education/Continuing-Education/

5. Declaration: Registrants must declare all CE requirements have been completed by submitting an

Annual Reporting declaration ( egbc.ca/Practice-Resources/

Individual-Practice/Annual-Reporting ) between May 1 and June 30, 2024. These requirements must be completed by June 30, 2024. HOW TO ACCRUE CE HOURS Registrants have various ways to accrue additional CE Hours to meet their 60 CE Hour requirement over the next eight months. Relevant CE activities may include: courses, seminars, webinars, conferences, self-study of journals, self-study to learn a new skill, volunteering, presentations, and other activities. See Table 7 in the Guide to the Continuing Education Program for more examples A helpful test to determine if an activity should be counted towards CE Hours is to ask these three questions: 1. Is it relevant to my area and industry of practice? 2. Will it help to maintain my skills or knowledge? 3. Is it outside of my day-to-day work duties? If the answer to all three is "yes," then it is eligible as a CE activity and should be recorded in the CE Reporting System. ( egbc.ca/Continuing-Education/ Continuing-Education/Resources ).

Frequently-Asked-Questions ). Registrants can view specific

regulatory and continuing education requirements applicable to them via their Account Dashboard. Questions can be directed to cep@egbc.ca or 236.521.9154.

FULL-SERVICE SITE CHARACTERIZATIONS

BETTER INFORMATION BETTER DECISIONS

SCAN TO ACCESS THE 2023 CPT DESIGN PARAMETER MANUAL AND MORE TECHNICAL RESOURCES

I N N O V A T I O N

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

9

F E A T U R E

WORK IN PROGRESS: DECOLONIZATION IN ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION Working with Indigenous knowledge keepers on projects, engineers will discover a different perspective of respecting the land, rather than controlling it. Danilo Caron, EIT, explains how starting a project with a knowledge keeper's wisdom on natural elements creates a more balanced outcome.

ROBIN J. MILLER

D anilo Caron, EIT, is of mixed heritage. Through his Italian father, he was introduced to the art and craft of masonry and the world of construction. Through his mother, a member of the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, he was exposed to ways of thinking about the land and how structures should be placed on the land that, he later discovered, were distinctly at odds with his own training as an engineer. It is that dichotomy that has led Caron to projects that explore how architects, engineers, and builders can decolonize their practice.

Currently a PhD candidate in civil engineering at UBC and a consulting engineer with Urban Systems, Caron explained that, while his definition of decolonization continues to evolve, “to me, in the pure sense, it means to look at the systems and structures that exist today and to critically examine them to try to understand the underlying reasons behind them. Is this structure or system the best or is it just what we have inherited? Is it based on assumptions that make up a worldview?”

1 0

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

I N N O V A T I O N

In his research, Danilo Caron, EIT, studied how the City of Vancouver included Indigenous knowledge keepers when re-imagining the coastal landscape of False Creek. P hoto : W endy D P hotography

I N N O V A T I O N

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

1 1

F E A T U R E

comes with $30,000 in annual funding for four years. CONTROLLING NATURE VS RESPECTING THE LAND In one project Caron studied, the City of Vancouver created a request for proposals where all bids on a design project dedicated to re-imagining the coastal landscape of False Creek had to include an Indigenous knowledge keeper from a local First Nation. Proponents could have responded cynically; “This could have been tokenistic, literally having someone on the proposal in name only,” said Caron. “There’s always a risk of that.” But it

Here in Canada, he said, higher education is largely based on Western notions of knowledge where “everything is premised on the idea of a superior worldview, and that permeates into industry later. As an engineer, I am trained to look at problems and to externalize other things. In other worldviews, systems are combined in a more holistic way.” For example, he said, “some worldviews extend the idea of kinship beyond family in the human sense. That’s in stark contrast to Western notions of kinship, which would be siblings, parents. It’s profound when you start to consider that rivers and other natural landscapes can also be family." In fall 2022, Caron’s postgraduate research into how engineers, architects, and developers can integrate different worldviews into their work resulted in him receiving the inaugural Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology Momentum Fellowship from the UBC Faculty of Applied Science, which

“Totem poles, for example,” said Caron, “are not Southern Coast Salish. So, every time you see a totem pole in Vancouver, most of the time it was put there because nobody knew the difference between, say, Haida and Coast Salish art.” The knowledge keepers’ views on the natural elements of the coastline were also significant. They knew, for instance, where the salmon used to return to “before False Creek was filled in and all those creeks were covered up and put into culverts. This kind of thing is important as we redesign a city that lives with rising sea levels.” Their knowledge informed decisions about whether to build seawalls, “like we normally do,” or “surrendering land, allowing for a naturalized buffer to absorb some of the energy from waves and create space for rising seas.” It’s the difference, Caron said, between the Western idea of controlling nature, and “a worldview that has a high respect for the land.” UBC'S GATEWAY BUILDING INCORPORATES ECOLOGICAL HEALTH Decolonization also occurred in the second project Caron studied. UBC decided to move the site of its 25,000-square-metre Gateway health education building, now in progress at the main entry to its Point Grey campus, on the basis of feedback on the preliminary design solicited from x w m ə 0k w ə y ə m (Musqueam) knowledge keepers. “A fundamental challenge the designers had was that they were limited by height, because of both zoning and building construction style,” he said. So, to provide the mixture of inside spaces UBC required without going higher, the building was projected to spread right up to the sidewalks. The Musqueam knowledge keepers, however, who believe human health is linked to ecological health, “emphasized ,

did not happen in this case. Members of the kwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and s ə lilw ə ta ɬ (Tsleil

Waututh) Nations actively participated at the design tables of the two winning teams, providing “knowledge relevant to the local Indigenous context” that included giving their perspective on what is, or is not, Southern Coast Salish.

1 2

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

I N N O V A T I O N

UBC's Gateway health education building, currently under construction, was moved from the original site to a larger space as the designers incorporated the landscape and open space recommendations from the Musqueam knowledge keeper. I llustration : C ourtesy of P erkins &W ill

DECOLONIZING INPUT STARTS WITH YOURSELF Building owners, said Caron, “have the largest potential for decolonization. But I put ‘owners’ in quotation marks. I do remind people that UBC was built on unceded territory. There was never an agreement from the Musqueam to give or sell land to UBC. UBC is grappling with what that means, just as the City of Vancouver is, just as corporations and private citizens are.” Engineers are grappling with it, too, “and what I’ve understood is that they want to be a part of this incorporation of Indigenous worldviews. But a consultant has limited leverage,” largely because it’s the developer who has the

that this is incompatible. You’re designing a health building that provides no space for ecological restoration. There’s no relationship here between human health and the health of the landscape around it.” The architects, from Vancouver’s Perkins&Will, listened and agreed. They couldn’t change the zoning or the square footage and wanted to keep the wood construction style. The only other choice was to move the building. Fortunately, UBC had an undeveloped site to the north they could expand into. “No buildings had to be knocked down,” said Caron. But the change still meant significant time spent in re-design and re-approval, as well as the loss to UBC of developable land that, though small in size, would still carry a mid-seven-figure price tag. To avoid at least some of this, “I thought the takeaway would have been that they should have involved knowledge keepers at a far earlier stage,” he said, “but the architect told me she wouldn’t have changed the way it unfolded because it actually made the learning experience more profound, and it strengthened the relationship with the Musqueam knowledge keepers going forward, who knew they were listened to.” The final design for the Gateway building won a Canadian Architect Award of Excellence in 2021. According to Canadian Architect (November 29, 2021), prominent among the reasons for that win was a site response that “began with a ‘re-wilding’—a recognition of the importance of landscape and open space to the Musqueam Host Nation and a desire to reconceptualize the site in its forest state."

Our IP lawyers are here to help you build the future.

Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala LLP

PROTECTING INNOVATION

patentable.com

I N N O V A T I O N

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

1 3

F E A T U R E

ENGINEERS CANADA GUIDELINE ON INDIGENOUS CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT PRESENTATION Danilo Caron EIT and Gayle Frank will be co-facilitating a presentation on the Engineers Canada guidelines at the Engineers and Geoscientists 2023 Annual Conference, October 26-28. The presentation will describe the guideline development process, the content of the guideline, and the evolving nature of Indigenous engagement. Check out all the Continuing Education options at the conference and sign up for the conference online at egbc.eventsair.com/ac23.

Engineers Canada Guideline on Indigenous Consultation and Engagement Thursday, October 26 9 – 10 am Whistler Conference Centre or live stream

Gayle Frank. P hoto : O lsen I maging

evolution of relationships that began when settlers arrived and have brought us to where we are now. Non-indigenous people often say things like ‘that was 150 or 200 years ago,’ and ‘it’s not my family who did that.’ But it’s not a blame thing. It’s not an attack. As a settler,

ability to prioritize things like giving Indigenous voices a seat at the table. That does not mean engineers do not have an important role in decolonization, however. “It starts with yourself,” said Caron. “You need to learn and understand the

you need to be aware of your situational identity, and of how we have come together. And that may be unsettling; it may be uncomfortable.” After that comes on-the-ground engagement. “Every engineer I know would love to engage with communities more, Indigenous communities especially,” said Caron. “The real challenge is that engagement is not well funded and many communities are remote, which makes engagement expensive. But there is no better substitute for being there in person, to get a good sense of what a community’s needs are and their perspective. It’s critical to building a high level of trust and respect.” Caron’s other major piece of research, a framework intended to help guide engineers involved in construction projects that involve indigenous communities, was published by Engineers Canada in June 2023. Developed in collaboration with Gayle Frank, Urban Systems’ senior advisor on Indigenous relations and Truth GUIDE EXPLAINS HOW TO "DO YOUR HOMEWORK"

www.waterlineresources.com info@waterlineresources.com BC 1.844.585.0802 Nanaimo | Prince George | Smithers | Salmon Arm

Since 2000, Waterline Resources Inc. has been providing practical and scientifically defensible hydrogeological and environmental solutions.

Groundwater Supply Exploration and Development Groundwater Resource Evaluation and Modelling Water Quality Evaluations

Regulatory and Environmental Compliance Groundwater - Surface

Water Assessment Mine Dewatering

1 4

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

I N N O V A T I O N

and Reconciliation, the Guideline on Indigenous Consultation and Engagement ( engineerscanada.ca/Report/Guideline On-Indigenous-Consultation-And Engagement ) offers such practical guidance as “do your homework,” said Frank, who is of St’at’imc heritage. “Know what territory you are in and who the host Nations are,” Frank said. “If you are in close proximity and there is an event open to the public, go and attend. Be visible and seen in the community. Take actual steps to build relationships with the people. Learn how to say hello and thank you.” Some engineers, Caron knows, may find this intimidating or worrying: “They don’t want to do or say the wrong thing. But I want to remind them that learning is a journey, cliché though that may sound, that allows people to come as they are.” And so far, said Frank, “I’ve heard only positives” from engineers about the guideline. “They think it’s about time and they are really grateful that the work is there. They also like that it’s not just a checklist, that it provides context about what to expect” when going into Indigenous communities. For example, a traditional prayer will be said before a meeting in many, but not all, communities; this is important when building an agenda built on knowledge rather than assumption. “I would love for every engineer to feel like there is a personal investment that they have to make in decolonization,” said Caron. “I can guarantee that if they do make that investment, they will come to a better understanding of themselves and the power that they have within their roles. Even if they are the most junior person on the team, they can still be the person who asks the questions that could translate into deeper, more meaningful engagement.”

Rather than trying to control the environment, de-colonizing incorporates working in partnership with the land and water, explains Danilo Caron, EIT. P hoto : W endy D P hotography

Combining experience with digital technology for innovative engineering solutions.

Together, let’s explore the possibilities.

understand | innovate | partner | deliver

I N N O V A T I O N

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

1 5

P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E

FREQUENT PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE INQUIRIES What are professional registrant and registrant firm obligations related to independent reviews of high-risk professional activities and work? All registrants must be aware of the eight quality management requirements for professional practice in BC ( egbc.ca/Practice Resources/Individual-Practice/Quality-Management-Guides ). The requirements are: • authentication • field reviews • use of professional practice guidelines • independent reviews of structural designs • independent reviews of high-risk professional activities and work (IRHPAW) Based on the results of recent audits, the requirements related to the IRHPAW are not well understood at an individual or firm level. While the requirement for independent review of structural designs has been in effect in BC since 1992, the requirement of IRHPAW was formally introduced in 2021. The intent was to broaden the application of independent reviews to all areas of practice, as structural engineering is not the only area where high-risk activities and work are undertaken. Documented checks have long been a requirement of all types of professional work, however, the need to introduce independent reviews to all professional work was determined through outcomes of recent investigations, practice reviews, and audits. The Guide to The Standard For Documented Independent Review Of High-Risk Professional Activities Or Work (EGBC-Documented-Indep-Rev-of-HRPAW-V1-0.pdf.aspx ) provides Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s interpretation of Bylaw Section 7.3.6 and guidance on how this requirement is expected to be carried out in practice. High-level professional practice expectations and obligations regarding IRHPAW include: CONDUCTING A RISK ASSESSMENT Professionals of record are responsible for carrying out a documented risk assessment at the outset of all work to determine if an independent review is needed based on risk. Engineers and Geoscientists BC provides a detailed outline of the expectations for risk assessments in the guide. An understanding of what is meant by the terms “hazard,” “consequence,” and “risk” is required to understand the requirements related to IRHPAW. • direct supervision • document retention • documented checks

Registrants are encouraged to review Appendix B in the guide for a detailed explanation of these terms, and a description of some analogous terms used in various industries. The risk assessment, once completed, will guide registrants on the independent review requirements for the specific work being assessed. One of the outcomes will be guidance on whether the independent review can be completed internally within a firm (type one) or must be Professionals of record are responsible for identifying the requirement for an independent review through a risk assessment, as well as the required frequency of independent review. Professionals of record are required to take action to ensure the independent review is completed; the guide further elaborates on when, how, and by whom the independent review should be conducted. ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES In many cases, a streamlined approach (e.g., conducting global risk assessments, completing periodic independent reviews, or carrying out reviews of repetitive or iterative activities or work) is available. Guidance on these alternative approaches and special cases are captured in the guide. It is important to note that none of the special cases or alternative approaches listed in the guide are exceptions to the requirement to complete a risk assessment. DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT Professionals of record should obtain an authenticated version of the independent review, and must retain and preserve the documentation (including reports and follow up documentation) related to the independent review for a minimum of 10 years in accordance with other quality management requirements. All professional activities and work must now go through a risk assessment to determine whether the requirement for independent review applies. Structural engineering work still follows the requirements of Bylaw 7.3.5 as outlined in the Guide to the Standard for Independent Review of Structural Designs (EGBC-Documented-Indep-Rev-of-Structural Designs-V2-0.pdf.aspx ). For related professional practice inquiries, please contact practiceadvisor@egbc.ca . completed by a different firm (type two). CONDUCTING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW

Alice Kruchten, P.Eng. Practice Advisor

1 6

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

I N N O V A T I O N

EVERYTHING INSURANCE. MADE EASY.

Because You Never Know What's Lurking Around the Corner.

Visit us Online at park.ca

Northbridge Insurance Logo is a trademark of Northbridge Financial Corporation, licensed by Northbridge General Insurance Corporation (insurer of Northbridge Insurance policies).

I N N O V A T I O N

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

1 7

2023 ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BC AWARDS RECIPIENTS

THE MCLACHLAN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ENGINEERING ANGUS ENGLISH, P.ENG.

THE WESTERMAN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN GEOSCIENCE BRENT WARD, PhD, P.GEO., FGC, FEC (HON) Dr. Brent Ward, P.Geo., FGC,

As the Vice President, Water & Wastewater at WSP Canada Inc., Angus English, P.Eng., has close to 40 years experience in infrastructure revitalization, replacement and upgrading for the public and private sector. Throughout his career, he has made countless contributions to the improvement of public safety. "I still recall some of the very first projects I was involved in

FEC (Hon) has made geoscience accessible and understandable for many students over the past 25 years as a professor in SFU's earth sciences department. He has also been active in educating the public about geoscience, a collaborator in research, and involved in the industry as a volunteer. Brent has built a legacy of mentoring undergrads, who have

gone on to successful professional careers. He has also contributed many years of dedicated service to advancing the geoscience field— all of which contributed to receiving the Westerman Award. "It is a great honour to receive the Westerman Award and be considered equivalent to the impressive list of previous award winners," Brent said. "Many of the very influential geoscientists in BC are on that list, as well as many friends and colleagues. It is heady company." Brent began his career in the early 1990s conducting surficial geology mapping throughout the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, and, more recently, in BC. He is a field-based quaternary geologist whose research interests include sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleoenvironmental reconstructions, surficial mapping, drift prospecting and landslides. Brent has been a member of the Canadian Geoscience Standards Committee (CGSC) since 2005. At Engineers and Geoscientists BC, he was on the Board from 2019-2022, a member of the Geoscience Subcommittee from 2000-2020, a member of the Dam Site Characterization Assessments Working Group from 2015-2017, as well as serving on several other committees and working groups. At SFU, Brent is co-director of the Centre for Natural Hazards Research and was the Earth Science Department chair for six years. He is a primary author of the Professional Practice Guideline: Site Characterization for Dam Foundations in BC , that was developed following the release of the Report on Mount Polley Tailings Storage Facility Breach in 2015. Brent was also an invaluable participant in creating Geoscience Knowledge and Experience Requirements for Professional Registration in Canada , which is a comprehensive guide used by geoscience regulatory bodies across Canada. Brent was also instrumental in creating the Geoscientist in Training Program Information Guide booklet, which helps geoscience students and recent graduates navigate the registration process in Canada.

right after graduation," he explains, "a 1,200-seat grandstand and a 160-acre (65-hectare) sewage lagoon, and the realization that it left in me about the importance that my work had on public health and safety." He adds, "The past 30 years in BC has included involvement in many water and sewerage projects for the Metro Vancouver Region and the Lower Mainland municipalities, most of which go unseen by the public. After all this time, I still really enjoy project work and two relatively recent projects that I was proud to be part of are the Douglas Trunk Sewer, the longest micro-tunnel in glacial till in Metro Vancouver, and the Johnson Street Bridge replacement in Victoria." Angus also has mentored young engineers with experienced advice. He notes, "While the project work is fulfilling, perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my career is knowing that I have had a part in coaching and mentoring an incredible group of young engineers that are changing the world for the better." Volunteering is another area where Angus has had an impact. His commitment with the United Way goes back to 2003 and he is now part of a group of business leaders driving workplace campaigns. Angus joined the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies (ACEC-BC) in 2005, and in 2020, Angus was appointed to the Board of Directors of Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Foundation. Angus says, "I feel humbled to have been selected for the McLachlan Award. Throughout my career I have benefited from coaching and mentoring by many engineers that I admire to this day and I have benefited from the unwavering support of my family and colleagues and I know that this has had a positive and lasting impact on the engineer that I have become."

P hotos : W endy D P hotography

1 8

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

I N N O V A T I O N

The 2023 Engineers and Geoscientists BC Awards recognize the outstanding professional, technical, and community contributions of registrants and firms. We are pleased to announce the winners of the McLachlan Award, the Westerman Award, the Meritorious Achievement Award, the Lambert Award for Volunteer Service, the Young Professional Award, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award, and the Innovation in Sustainability Award.

THE MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PHALGUNI MUKHOPADHYAYA, PhD, P.ENG.

THE LAMBERT AWARD FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE ABDOLHAMID GHANBARI, PhD, P.ENG., FEC

The recipient of the Meritorious Achievement Award, Dr. Phalguni Mukhopadhyaya, P.Eng., sets research into action. A professor in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Victoria, Phalguni's highly regarded research has sparked building envelope advancements in moisture management and thermal insulation around the world. "My professional goals are focused on the development of construction

Over his 40-year career, Dr. Abdolhamid (Hamid) Ghanbari, P.Eng., FEC, has worked in project management and building design as well as research, teaching, and curriculum development in Canadian universities and colleges. He is principal and senior project manager at EduBuild Solutions, which he founded in 2011. His extensive volunteer experience

goes back to 1999. He has had a positive impact on many local and immigrant engineers and students, especially at the Iranian Engineers of BC Association (IEBCA), where he has served on the board of directors since 2017, including president for two years. His mentorship has helped many find their direction, navigate the professional registration system and pursue meaningful professional engineering careers. He is known for his dedication, support and commitment. "Volunteering helped me stay connected with the community as I learned and developed while helping others besides my professional work practice," Hamid says. "Volunteering without any reward expectations helped me delve into problems more deeply and help others more effectively, and thus experiencing a good feeling myself." Hamid's volunteer experience includes Engineers and Geoscientists BC, where he has taken roles in nomination, registration, professional development, and mentoring—earning the organization's 2021 Mentor of the Year award. He has also been an executive member of the Richmond/Delta Branch since 2012 (chair 2015-2016) and the organization's liaison on the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair Committee since 2015. At the City of Richmond, he served on the Board of Variance (2006-2018) and the Richmond Community Services Advisory Committee (2011-2018). He has also been part of the Annual Conference and AGM Planning Committee of the BC Building Envelope Council since 2013. He has been the “voice of patients” on various committees and councils of Vancouver Coastal Health, Doctors of BC, and BC Patient Safety and Quality Council since 2009. "I am honoured to receive this special award," Hamid says. "This award means a lot to me. It tells me that love and social values and devotion to the community is honoured, and it encourages me to continue and improve upon my professional engagement with the community. Thanks to the organizations and individuals who trusted and provided me with volunteering opportunities and thanks to Engineers and Geoscientists BC for promoting volunteerism."

technologies for low-carbon building envelopes and structures," said Phalguni. "It is of utmost importance for me and all global citizens to innovate, design, and construct low-carbon buildings and structures, which can retard and reverse the drivers of climate change." Phalguni started his professional research career at the National Research Council Canada in 1999 and moved to the University of Victoria in 2015. He has attained national and international stature as a leading expert in advanced thermal insulation materials, bio-based building materials, hygrothermal properties of building envelope materials, moisture management in exterior building envelopes, and energy audit of buildings. He is a sought-after speaker and received the 2022 professor of the year award from ASTM, the international standards organization. Starting with the leaky condo issue in BC in the late 1990s, Phalguni helped develop moisture design guidelines that were applicable in all climates. From that, Phalguni also worked on developing a durability index to analyze results and create solutions. Phalguni also introduced the concept of vacuum insulation panels to Canada and wrote the first research paper on alternative core materials in construction. One of his nominators, UVic colleague Dr. T. Aaron Gulliver, P.Eng., noted about Phalguni: "Typically, he starts with finding a solution for a pressing issue impacting the local/global construction industry and validates it through laboratory experiments and modelling studies. Thereafter, he takes those solutions to field applications, and this is where he stands out among his peers." The Meritorious Achievement Award recognizes Phalguni's achievements. "This award means a lot to me for two reasons. First, the evaluation criteria, which is weighted 80 percent for professional and technical achievements in engineering, and second, it is administered by an organization which has over 40,000 members who are practicing engineers and geoscientists in BC. It also means added motivation to work even harder."

I N N O V A T I O N

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

1 9