Executive Director’s Message

2016 year in review

It has been an eventful year for the CIQS staff, Board and Affiliates, with leadership changes, a new promotional series, growth in number of Designations Holders and international representation on several committees. Eighty-one individuals received their PQS designation and 94 received their CEC designation (including reinstatements). Congratulations again on your accomplishment.

The CIQS is well represented on several international committees, including

ICEC (International Cost Engineering

Council), CEEC (European Committee of Construction Economists) and ICMS (International Cost Measurements

Standard). There has been a lot of activity this year for the ICMS, a non-profit committee that aims to bring about consistency of construction cost reporting standards, internationally.

The CIQS is represented at the ICMS table by: Craig Bye, PQS(F) as Trustee and Secretary; Ian Duncan, PQS (F),

Trustee for PAQS; Roy Howes, PQS(F),

ICMS SSC (Standards Setting Committee)

Member; and Mark Gardin, PQS(F),

SSC Member. ICMS has just launched the public consultation on the draft standard. All stakeholders in the construction and infrastructure sectors can comment on the draft standard by visiting www.icms‑coalition.org/consultation.

Congress 2016, hosted by the CIQS – Ontario, was a very successful and well-attended event. At Congress, the leadership of CIQS changed with Matthew Weber, PQS(F) introduced as the new Chair of the CIQS and me as the new Executive Director. Lois Metcalfe was honoured in her retirement and her long service was celebrated at this event.

The Affiliates have been busy again this year, planning events for their members; they look forward to providing you with new CPD opportunities in 2017. Stay tuned for messages from your Affiliate on upcoming learning and networking events.

As part of the CIQS marketing plan, a promotional video series was introduced in the fall. With these videos and the platforms used to promote them, the CIQS hopes to attract brand awareness, youth to the profession and to provide a better understanding of what a quantity surveyor is. There are more videos to come in 2017!

2016 also said goodbye to some of our long standing Designation Holders. We pause for a moment to remember those that we lost this year, including: W. John Porter, PQS; Arthur W. Hooker, PQS(F); and Allan Joyce, PQS.

Finally, I would like to say thank you to all of our volunteers who participated at the National, Affiliate and Chapter levels. Our volunteers are a valuable resource of the Institute and we appreciate your time and hard work. I would also like to say thank you to our Designation Holders for your continued support and commitment to the CIQS.

Housekeeping notes: • The CIQS National Office will be closed for the holidays from

December 23, 2016 to January 2, 2017 inclusive. • PAQS2017 Congress registration and Call for Papers will launch in

January 2017. Happy Holidays from the CIQS National team: Sophie, Aliya, Patrice and myself. We wish you and your families all the best at this special time of year.

Sheila Lennon, CAE