Innovation - Spring 2024

LETTERS

Letter to the editor Not all engineering work requires professional title

Dear Editor, With regard to the recent court decision against David Hilderman on his use of the term “engineer,” I do not consider this a fair decision (see article page 5). It has the potential to unfairly undermine the careers of tens of thousands of “engineers” in the province. At no time did Mr. Hilderman hold out to be a “professional engineer.” Historically, over millenia, once you met the standards to be an engineer, through education or other means, you were called an engineer. If you wanted to use a reserved title of “professional engineer,” you were required to apply to be part of that special segment of the engineering profession, and to meet their requirements. When I graduated from UBC with my Bachelor of Applied Science degree, I attended the Iron Ring ceremony, and took the oath. The ring and oath are the symbol and reminder of the obligations and ethics associated with being a member of the engineering profession in Canada. We called ourselves engineers; we had earned the right to do so! It was up to us to decide whether we wanted to work toward the reserved title of “professional engineer” going forward. To try and change the definition of the term “engineer” is unwarranted discrimination against those who have met the requirements to be called engineer and are competently doing engineering work. We “professional engineers” use the P.Eng. designation in association

with our name. This demonstrates that we have met the requirements to belong to the special category of engineer called professional engineer. If those qualified engineers who chose not to become a professional engineer cannot call themselves engineer, what are they supposed to call themselves? Engineer is a legitimate title that goes back to 2550 BC. I do acknowledge that Engineers and Geoscientists BC has a very critical roll to play in protecting society. But belonging to Engineers and Geoscientists BC must be an uncoerced choice, and not a requirement. There are countless aspects of engineering work that do not require professional engineer status. In my opinion, Mr. Hilderman’s rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms have been violated. Section 26 states: The guarantee in this Charter of certain rights and freedoms shall not be construed as denying the

existence of any other rights or freedoms that exist in Canada. For the engineering profession, I interpret the mandate of Engineers and Geoscientists BC is to regulate professional engineers, professional engineering licensees and engineers in training. Legally, this cannot be interpreted to include the title “engineer,” based on the historical definition and use of the term engineer. I believe it was a grave mistake for Engineers and Geoscientists BC to bring this action against Mr. Hilderman. I do hope those with the authority to make such decisions in the future will consider the historical definition of the term “engineer” before doing so again. Engineers and Geoscientists BC is a regulating body, not a political organization. William J. (Bill) Robinson, BSc, MBA, P.Eng. (Retired)

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Innovation Spring 2024

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