- What is your position with regard to the industrial exception?
Industrial Exception will take much effort and resolve to bring to a successful conclusion. Undoubtedly previous and current PEO Leadership have worked diligently to remove this exception and notwithstanding have not been successful. Seems to me PEO needs to invest in research and resource to demonstrate conclusively that the industrial exception is not in the public interest and safety. It will take perseverance and involve many stakeholders to come up with an acceptable political solution that will convince the government to move forward and terminate the industrial exception.
- How would you improve the state of enforcement?
Enforcement requires diligence and resources to prevent those practicing engineering without a license. We need also to enforce the Code of Ethics and take appropriate punitive action against those that do not conform. In addition, we need to streamline the process in dealing with complaints and discipline in an effective and timely manner. Other professions such as doctors and lawyers have mandatory practice inspections (audit) to confirm competency, professionalism and licensing; we should do likewise.
- What is your position with regard to OSPE and PEO relationship? How would you change this relationship and why?
The relationship between OSPE and PEO has improved substantially over the last few years, built on trust. We need to be very clear on the differences between the OSPE and PEO mandates. These mandates must be communicated often to the engineering membership and there should be no confusion with regard to there differences. It is critical to avoid future misunderstanding so the OSPE Board and PEO Council should meet regularly as a group to further strengthen this good relationship. Currently there are no substantive issues between OSPE and PEO to be resolved. The Chapter Liaison Committee established by OSPE is a big step forward to improve communications and collaboration with PEO Chapters.
- In the past few years there has been tremendous advancement is the field of engineering and as a result, there has been new fields created within engineering profession. What is your plan for upgrading PEO to include these new fields and keep it up to date with emerging technology?
PEO has in place Committees that should be utilized to look at new fields created within the engineering profession. These Committees such as Academic, Education, Professional Standards and Experience should be tasked to determine if there are areas of practice that could be licensed or certified as a discipline within the engineering profession.
PEO has created Task Forces/Task Groups to look at emerging disciplines which have produced results such as the recommendations of the External Groups Task Force - Software to regulate this discipline through a new special designation.
- Do you support the enhancement of the image of the profession, by ensuring that engineering work is performed by licensed practitioners who are accountable both to the public and other members? Are you in favor of specialty designations with exclusive rights to practice?
As a Director of OSPE (Chair for 2-terms) for the last seven years, it has been one of my priorities to enhance the image of the profession. The leadership at OSPE has been very successful in this regard serving the members and continues to do so effectively. It is my commitment to continue to raise the overall image of our profession at the PEO and collaborate with OSPE in this regard. Together we will make a difference!
Our rights under the Professional Engineers Act should not be eroded. We need to ensure that this does not happen and must be proactive. We must work closely with the Provincial Government so that proposed legislation does not impact public safety, accountability and diminish the rightful role of professional engineers under the Act.
Specialty designations should be a priority of PEO. It should NOT be brought to the fore as a consequence of legislation that is enacted. We need to be "tuned in" with respect to proposed demand side legislation and be a participant stakeholder in the process and not be reactive. We must continually work with the Provincial Government in a collegial and constructive manner thus avoid unnecessary challenges down the road to protect our rights.
- What are your plans for improving the image of engineer’s and how do you plan to educate the industry on the importance the engineering profession?
The image of the professional engineer is on the rise. OSPE and PEO have made tremendous strides in improving this image. We have a lot of work to do to keep this "image building" on track. We need to achieve all of the characteristics that define a profession. The recognized 7-defining characteristics of a profession are:
- Code of ethics
- Minimum educational requirements
- Minimum professional experience
- Mandatory practice standards
- Mandatory practice inspections
- Continuing education and upgrade requirements
- Defined specialty designations
If we have all of the above attributes, industry will readily recognize and embrace the importance and need of having engineers do engineering work.
- Will you take action to regulate or improve engineering salaries?
PEO cannot regulate salaries. However, PEO can enhance the value of the P.Eng. designation. The value added role that PEO can effect consists of, but is not limited to, practice standards, professional development, specialization and moving forward with the concept of retaining engineers for professional services based on quality as opposed to price (e.g, Infraguide Best Practice on Selecting a Professional Consultant). Employer Compensation Survey and Suggested Fee Schedules published by OSPE are in keeping with the Society's mandate to promote the "economic interest of members" and champion "value" added for services rendered by professional engineers.
- What are your plans in dealing with the oversupply and under supply of engineering talent? What are your plans for communicating with government officials on this matter?
Engineers Canada is undertaking a Canada wide labour market study for engineers. This study will provide a better understanding of the current and future employment picture by analyzing trends affecting approximately 725,000 professionals who are in engineering and technology occupations. The findings will be used to formulate recommendations with respect to policies and strategic initiatives related to skills and labour development. PEO should encourage the Federal and Ontario Governments to work together so that skilled immigrant applicants for licensure are informed about Ontario's labour market needs by providing up-to-date, region and discipline specific labour market information. PEO's existing licensure process gives fair access to Internationally Educated Engineers (IEEs) while continuing to protect the public. PEO introduced Provisional License for those IEEs who have met all licensure requests except for the mentored Canadian experience. PEO must continue to advise and communicate with government such as the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration on oversupply and undersupply of engineering talent based on up-to-date research such as the Labour Market Study currently undertaken by Engineers Canada.
- What are your plans for educating immigrant engineers in practice requirement in Ontario and assisting them in obtaining their licenses?
PEO should provide to the appropriate government agencies information on practice requirements in Ontario before IEEs immigrate and settle in the Province. PEO should advise immigrant engineers of programs designed to address the needs of IEEs. One such program would be in obtaining the necessary training information to successfully prepare for the Professional Engineers Practice Examination that is required to become a licensed P.Eng.