Investigations
We protect the public—and the integrity of the engineering and geoscience professions—by fully investigating formal complaints against licensed professionals and permit holders.
How cases are closed DISCIPLINE HEARING: The Investigative Committee refers matters to the Discipline Committee (made up of APEGA volunteers) 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 (RDO): 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 WITHDRAWN: The complaint is withdrawn or abandoned by the complainant.
Complaints vary in complexity, from business disputes to serious allegations of harm to the environment, to the health and safety of the public, or to the reputation of the professions. Protecting the public during preliminary investigations During an investigation, APEGA’s Investigative Committee may restrict or suspend a registrant’s or permit holder’s right to practise. When this occurs, we publish their name on our website to protect the public pending the outcome of the investigation and disciplinary proceedings.
•Three registrants faced interim suspensions in 2023.
› This is an extraordinary measure to safeguard the public, warranted by the circumstances of each case. •Two registrants had their scope of practice restricted in 2023. › The Investigative Committee and the registrants under investigation mutually agreed to these voluntary undertakings. Specifics of the active practice restrictions were posted on our website . Policy and procedure updates We updated policies and procedures to clarify our investigative processes and ensure consistency. Our goal is fair, transparent, and timely complaint resolution. •Updates to our recommended discipline order (RDO) policy and procedure clarified when an RDO may be used and how it should be formulated and implemented. •Updates to our mediation policy established when it’s appropriate to resolve low-risk complaints through mediation.
Did you know? For the 53 cases we closed in 2023, we investigated 155 separate allegations . Our year-end case backlog declined to 40 in 2023 from 84 in 2020. This is due in part to increased intake scrutiny, ensuring that cases referred to the Investigative Committee are backed by credible evidence. Case-closure times improved, decreasing to 293 days in 2023 from 409 days in 2022. An increase in mediations and the experience of our tenured investigations staff members have helped us resolve cases faster.
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT
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