Across Canada

News briefs from associations
in other provinces and territories.

N.W.T. Ready For Nunavut Entry
The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of the Northwest Territories ( NAPEGG) has formed a Nunavut Section with an interim executive consisting of: Sara Brown, P.Eng., president; Sylvio Ricard, P.Eng., vice-president; and Lee Douglas, E.I.T. , secretary/treasurer. NAPEGG has a Nunavut Transition Steering Committee in place to ensure a viable and functional transitional organization exists for the engineering and geoscience professions when, on April 1, 1999, the Nunavut Territory separates from the N.W.T.

PEO May Include Geoscientists
Professional Engineers Ontario’s (PEO) Council has approved proposed changes to that province’s Engineers Act to provide for licensure of geoscientists under PEO. The changes still require approval by the provincial legislature.

The approval follows acceptance in principle of a memorandum of understanding between PEO and the Association of Geoscientists of Ontario. The MOU provides that, during the first three years after proclamation of an amended Act, registered geoscientists would have to pay a surcharge of $141 to offset amalgamation costs.

Four key issues concerning licensure of geoscientists under the Professional Engineers Act are:

• representation of geoscientists on PEO Council;
• representation of geoscientists on the Discipline Committee;
• provisions for geoscientists in international agreements; and
• Certificates of engineering Authorization for firms offering both professional and geoscience services.

Quebec Ordre Eyes Structural Changes

Roger Nicolet, ing, president of the Ordre des ingéneurs du Québec (OIQ), writes in Plan, the OIQ monthly publication, that discussions have been initiated on possible transfer of member support services, including development and administration of financial services, to a separate service corporation.

M. Nicolet notes that the legal profession in Quebec has had such a separate service corporation since 1984. He cautions: "No such step will be taken without a broad-based consultation of the parties concerns."

Newfoundland Gears Up for PD

The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland (APEGN) is getting ready for the first full year of its mandatory professional development program. Related initiatives include writing to all employers of professional engineers and geoscientists in the province to explain the program and encourage their support. A committee, with regional representation, also is being formed to monitor progress of the PD program.

Manitoba Reviews Work Experience

The Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba’s Experience Review Board has been asked to consider receiving requests for consideration of exceptional work experience obtained prior to academic qualification. (At present, APEM requests that all acceptable engineering work experience must be obtained after academic qualification). Examples of possible exemptions might be co-op students and technology institute graduates. Council has approved charging $100 for anyone wishing a previous work experience evaluation. The payment would be refunded upon acceptance of such previous experience.

P.E.I. Rewriting Policy & Procedures

The Association of of Professional Engineers of Prince Edward Island reports that its Policy and Planning Committee is rewriting the Association’s Policy and Procedures Manual, with particular consideration being given to reporting structures, conflicts of interest, workplace harassment, financial investments and directors’ liability insurance.