Spring 2019 PEG

APEGA ELECTION

George Eynon, P.Geo., FGC, FEC (Hon.)

Question Responses

What does self-regulation mean to you as a member of APEGA? It means “professionalism by peer review”—the responsibility of regulating ourselves! It is the privilege of using our knowledge and skills in the best interests of society, given our training and licensure. Our registered peers maintain the status of our P.Eng. and P.Geo. designations, together with APEGA staff ensuring a high level of professional ethics, conduct, and standards of practice. I ran for several reasons. First, a real pride in being a P.Geo. and the desire to give back to my profession in some way. Second, I have a deep personal interest in both proper regulation and good governance. Third, I bring considerable direct governance and regulatory training and experience to the table, having served with the ERCB and AER, and on numerous technical society and business-related boards. Why are you running for Council and why do you think it’s important to serve in this way?

What challenges do today’s engineers and geoscientists face?

There are several. First, continuing economic distress in Alberta’s economy that directly affects our members: thousands unemployed or under-employed, or unable to find work after graduating. Second, offshoring of engineering further contributes to unemployment here. Third, rapid advancement of technology requires continuous educational upgrading and retraining, which puts an additional financial burden on professionals. Finally, a complete lack of public knowledge of APEGA: about who we are, what we do, or why we do it! What is the value of professional membership in APEGA? The most important is that membership confers the legal right to practise as engineers and geoscientists, recognizing our training and skills. We regulate ourselves—ranking us with lawyers and doctors. There is also a degree pride in having the P.Eng. or P.Geo. title designation after our names. Society benefits, too: we practise our professions in the public interest under a Code of Ethics and against practice standards and guidelines.

SPRING 2019 PEG | 13

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