PROGRESS AND RENEWAL
Next Up for APEGA’s Legislative Review: Permit Holder Criteria, Document Authentication — and More Changes being proposed for the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act will, if accepted by the Government of Alberta, directly affect how APEGA Members and Permit Holders do business. That’s why it’s so important that APEGA professionals — and the engineering and geoscience Permit Holders they work for — have their say
It’s been over three decades since the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act (EGP Act) had its last major update. That’s a long time in the life of a province and in the evolution of the engineering and geoscience professions. APEGA, as one of the province’s self-regulating professions, wants to make sure its governing legislation continues to protect the public interest and reflect current business and industry practices. That’s why APEGA’s Council considers the review of the legislation a key strategic priority, and that’s why we’re working with the Government of Alberta (GOA) on the development of the new legislation. Over the past 18 months, more than 4,000 Members have taken part in a series of stakeholder consultations that reviewed dozens of topics — everything from membership categories to investigative processes. Discussions will restart in October, when we’ll dig into Permit Holder criteria, authentication of professional documents, and additional tools for self-regulation, among other topics. Participation has been impressive so far. And we hope it continues, with even more Members and Permit Holders taking the opportunity to help shape the future of their professions by becoming engaged in the legislative review process. WE’RE LISTENING Members Daniel Wong, P.Eng., Laura Chutny, P.Eng., and Helder Afonso, P.Eng., were among those who attended the most recent consultations, in the winter of 2016. They provided feedback on proposed recommendations to improve standards for Member and Permit Holder professional practice reviews. As Responsible Members for three different APEGA Permit Holders, their duties include keeping up-to-date on any legislative changes. Mr. Wong attended a session in Calgary on behalf of his employer, AltaLink — but also out of personal interest. “It’s
very important for all APEGA Members to participate in the discussions, understand the process, and provide input. You should look at the issues being discussed to see if they could impact your operations or professional practice,” says Mr. Wong, a senior specialist, protection and control. He had concerns about a recommendation regarding the creation of practice review panels. The panels, working on behalf of APEGA’s Practice Review Committee, will be able to make orders about practice review findings. It had been proposed that practice review panel decisions would be final. But at its March meeting, APEGA Council heard Members’ concerns and revised the recommendation so that practice review panel decisions can be appealed.
LEGISLATIVE REVIEW: HOW IT WORKS
The Government of Alberta has encouraged APEGA to update the EGP Act and keep officials informed of our progress. Three phases make up the legislative review. Phase one, nearing completion, is a review of the Act. Phase two will bring forward proposed recommendations to the EGP General Regulations based on the proposed recommendations for the new EGP Act . Proposed recommendations for the regulations will be brought to Members in late 2016 and throughout 2017. Phase three is the bylaws for those, which will follow in 2019. On an ongoing basis, proposed recommendations endorsed by APEGA Council are sent to the Government of Alberta for its consideration. The list can be found on the legislative review website, available through apega.ca.
40 | PEG SUMMER 2016
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