Innovation Spring 2025

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SPRING 2025 | volume 29 number 1 INNOVATION

Our volunteers are critically important

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

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

BOARD 2024/2025 Chair: Mark Porter, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC Vice Chair: Karen Ling, P.Eng. Immediate Past Chair: Michelle Mahovlich, MEng, P.Eng., P.Geo., FCSSE BOARD MEMBERS Bill Chan, CPA, CGA, MBA, ICD.D; Veronica Knott, P.Eng.; Cathy McIntyre, MBA, C.Dir; Matthew Salmon, P.Eng.; T.J. Schmaltz, JD, FCPHR, SHRM-SCP, ICD.D; Malcolm Shield, P.Eng.; Colette Trudeau, MA; Jens Weber, P.Eng.; Dr. Gordon Zhou, P.Eng. EXECUTIVE TEAM Heidi Yang, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.), Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Cho, CPA, CGA, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer David Pavan, R.PH., Chief Regulatory Officer and Registrar EDITORIAL ADVISORY GROUP Ryan Bird, P.Eng.; Roozbeh Nemati, PMP, P.Eng.; Ian Rodriguez, EIT; Raya Smertina, P.Eng.; Aman Tanvir, P.Eng.; Stefano Vitucci, P.Eng. Innovation is published quarterly 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 recognize 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 We reserve the right to reject unsuitable letters and we do not publish open letters to third parties.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

During the last couple of months, I have had the privilege to connect with several Engineers and Geoscientists BC registrants. Many of those with whom I have spoken with are volunteers within the engineering profession

and, like me, are passionate about upholding high standards. Volunteers are a critically important part of our ability to self regulate; we need your expertise and insight to assist us in many aspects of our work as we continue our path towards modern regulation. (Read about some of our volunteers on page 18.) As I reflect on my own volunteering with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, I recognize that it has been incredibly rewarding and has exposed me to aspects of the profession that go far beyond my own structural engineering field. I have met and continue to meet so many amazing people who contribute to engineering and geoscience. For those of you who are already volunteering for us or for the BC Society of Engineering and Geoscience (BCSEG) or other affiliated and connected organizations, I thank you. For those who are interested or just curious, I encourage you to contact Engineers and Geoscientists BC and discover how you might be able to get involved. Ensuring accountability through use of title A part of upholding high standards and being accountable is our use of title. Recent amendments to our Bylaw (5.12, section 22) have clarified expectations of registrant firms in their role and responsibility to ensure that appropriate titles are being used in their organization. Using the titles of “engineer” and “geoscientist” indicates more than a designation; it signifies accountability, competence, and ethical practice. It assures the public and our peers that we adhere to rigorous standards. Engineers and Geoscientists BC wants to work with our registrant firms to target compliance on this by January 2026. In closing, I would remind you of our need to maintain our professional competence and hold ourselves accountable. Yet, be passionate about our profession, which contributes in so many meaningful ways across all our communities.

Mark Porter, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC Board Chair info@egbc.c a

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.

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Spring 2025

Innovation