CEO’s Message
MASTER APEGA
That might be true. But would that model be more effective or efficient? I am uncertain. It might cost less if the government was the regulator, I suppose, if the government could get 50 people to work for it for free. Some say that we could simply follow the U.S. model and let industry “regulate” the professions through the business model. There are lots of examples of some outstanding companies that have achieved amazing things. But none of this is really my point. Here in Alberta (and Canada) we have decided that we want the right to self-determination. Our professions want to set our own standards, because no one knows our professions better than we do. I too believe this. While our system is not perfect, it is very good; and we are striving to make it even better. What would be really useful would be not just to harness the power of a small full-time staff and 1,200 volunteers, but to harness our whole membership. Imagine what we could accomplish with a couple of hours per month of volunteer effort from each Professional Member? We currently have a very ambitious agenda of transformation. We want to make APEGA great organization. We want to be a more efficient licenser and a more effective upholder of our professions. It is a significant task. But we decided 100 years ago that we should seize and maintain this responsibility on behalf of those who rely upon us, so let’s not stop now. In these uncertain economic times, it is easy to see the potential short-term negatives. But we should not lose sight of the long term. As Ms. Clarkson said, Canada was built by the individual efforts of great people faced with adversity and uncertainty. As we pay the annual fee that perpetuates our right to decide how we as professions will conduct ourselves, perhaps we should rethink what we get in return. Furthermore, if you have not yet donated some of your time to your professions, I would ask you to think about the next few years and what you can give. You can support your peers directly in this way, and you can also gain a greater appreciation of what your peers are doing as professionals. I accept that for some of you this might be the furthest thing from your minds. However, I urge you to reflect on this: self- regulation is a privilege that we asked for and that we pay for. On behalf of the professions, I would sincerely appreciate your assistance — even if for only a few hours. As the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson implores us to commit to our country, so too should we commit to another great community: the community of the Professions of Engineering and Geoscience. It continues to be a privilege to serve the professions as your Chief Executive. Thank you.
Did I already say that we don’t pay these people? And by the way, they are some of the best and brightest in our professions. Some of them have been doing this work for a long time (more than 30 years) and could really use some fellow professionals stepping forward to spell them off. Some of you might say that perhaps the provincial government could adequately provide a regulatory framework.
Questions or comments? ceo@apega.ca
SPRING 2015 PEG | 7
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