Investigations
Investigating complaints against licensed professionals and permit holders is vital for protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the engineering and geoscience professions. With support from APEGA’s Investigations department, the Investigative Committee thoroughly assesses allegations against registrants for unprofessional conduct or unskilled practice using a transparent complaints review process. Depending on the nature of the allegation and the findings of the investigation, the Investigative Committee can terminate the complaint for insufficient evidence, recommend a discipline order, or refer the matter to the Discipline Committee for a formal hearing. The Investigative Committee also has the authority to restrict or temporarily suspend a registrant’s or permit holder’s registration pending the outcome of the discipline process. Improved operational efficiency APEGA made several improvements to the investigative process to leverage staff expertise and help the committee prioritize and resolve complaints more efficiently. • The Investigations department hired a complaint intake manager to triage complaints. This new position is focused on prioritizing complaints regarding unskilled practice for possible investigation as these may pose a greater risk to the public. • An updated policy now allows anonymous complaints to be investigated when there is a risk to public safety. • A new investigations risk-assessment tool provides standardized and strategic case prioritization by quantifying initial and ongoing risk (rated from low to critical) based on factors affecting public safety and the likelihood of recurrence. • APEGA now sends letters of advice to registrants to provide feedback on minor conduct issues that do not warrant a referral to discipline, serving as an educational and preventive measure.
How cases are closed DISCIPLINE HEARING: The Investigative Committee refers matters to the Discipline Committee for a formal discipline hearing. MEDIATED: The Investigative Committee approves a mediated agreement between the complainant and the registrant or permit holder. RECOMMENDED DISCIPLINE ORDER: The registrant admits to unskilled practice, unprofessional conduct, or both, and agrees to specific sanctions. TERMINATED: The Investigative Committee determines the complaint was frivolous or vexatious, or there was insufficient evidence of unskilled practice, unprofessional conduct, or both. WITHDRAWN: The complaint is withdrawn or abandoned by the complainant.
Did you know? • Interim suspensions imposed by the
Investigative Committee dropped to zero in 2024 from three in 2023. • For the 41 cases closed in 2024, we investigated 152 separate allegations. • The median case-closure time continued to improve in 2024, dropping to
255 days from 293 days in 2023—a 13 per cent decrease.
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2024 ANNUAL REPORT
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