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20 BUILDING STRONGER
CONNECTIONS:
HOW PEO IS ENHANCING ITS STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
We introduce you to PEO’s external relations team, created as part of PEO’s commitment to engage with licence holders and other stakeholders.
By Natalya Anderson
30 SUPPORTING ACADEMIC SUCCESS: THE ROLE OF ACCREDITATION IN
ENGINEERING
SCHOOLS
We explore how Canadian colleges and universities go through the accreditation process for their engineering programs so students can graduate with the necessary academic qualifications for licensure.
By Adam Sidsworth
SECTIONS
8 News: PEO Publishes New Competency-Based Assessment Guides; Engineers Canada Names New CEO; Black Engineers of Canada Hosts AGM; PEO CEO/Registrar Visits STEM Camp for Girls
14 Bulletin Board
16 Profile: First Nations Engineer Paves the Way for Future Generations
ASSOCIATION BUSINESS
5 Editor’s Note
6 President’s Message
7 CEO/Registrar’s Report
18 In Memoriam
24 PEAK: Licence Holders Embrace Their PEAK Obligations
25 Gazette
35 2025 PEO Council Call for Candidates, Nomination and Voting Procedures and Election Publicity Procedures
43 In Council: Council Approves New Practice Standard for Tower Cranes
45 Minutes of the 102nd Annual Business Meeting
PUBLICATIONS STAFF
Editor Nicole Axworthy
editor@peo.on.ca
Associate editor
Adam Sidsworth
Contributing writer
Natalya Anderson
Senior graphic designer
Cindy Reichle
CONNECT WITH US
Director, communications
Katarina Praljak
Manager, communications
Duff McCutcheon
Digital communications specialist
Michelle Yiu
Engineering Dimensions (ISSN 0227-5147) is published quarterly by Professional Engineers Ontario and is distributed to all PEO licence holders.
Engineering Dimensions publishes articles on regulatory business and professional topics of interest to the professional engineer. The magazine’s content does not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of PEO Council, nor does PEO assume any responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and art. All material is copyright. Permission to reprint editorial copy or graphics should be requested from the editor.
Approximately $5 from each membership fee is allocated to Engineering Dimensions and is non-deductible.
EXECUTIVE STAFF
CEO/registrar
Jennifer Quaglietta, MBA, P.Eng., ICD.D
Vice president, regulatory operations and deputy registrar
Americo Viola, MBA, P.Eng.
Vice president, policy and governance
Dan Abrahams, LLB
Vice president, corporate operations and digital transformation
Arun Dixit, P.Eng.
PEO COUNCIL Officers President
Gregory P. Wowchuk, P.Eng., FEC president@peo.on.ca
Western Region councillors Vicki Hilborn, MASc, P.Eng.
Susan MacFarlane, MSc, PhD, P.Eng.
West Central Region councillors Pappur Shankar, P.Eng., FEC
Ravinder Panesar, P.Eng., FEC
Lieutenant governor-in-council appointees
Lorne Cutler, MBA, P.Eng.
Andrew Dryland, C.E.T.
Paul Mandel, MBA, CPA, CA
George Nikolov, P.Eng.
Rachel Prudhomme, BEng, MSc, P.Eng., BPHE
Scott Schelske, P.Eng., FEC
Uditha Senaratne, P.Eng., FEC
Sherlock Sung, BASc
Engineers Canada Directors
Arjan Arenja, MBA, P.Eng., ICD.D
Christian Bellini, P.Eng., FEC
Tim Kirkby, P.Eng., FEC
Nancy Hill, P.Eng., LLB, FEC, FCAE
Marisa Sterling, P.Eng., FEC
Your Opinion Matters
By Nicole Axworthy
in paper format again. Since this magazine went fully digital in 2022, I have received endless emails about your preference for print. We hear you. Starting with the Winter 2025 issue, you’ll have the option to receive the print or digital version. (Flip to page 9 to learn how to update your subscription now.)
This is just one of many PEO efforts to build a culture of feedback with its licence holders and other stakeholders.
In recent years, stakeholder engagement has become a top priority for PEO to ensure we are effective, transparent and responsive to the needs of those affected by our work. This involves open dialogue between PEO and its interest holders about regulatory matters to gather diverse perspectives, help improve regulatory outcomes and, ultimately, build trust in PEO’s ability to serve and protect the public interest.
With the creation of PEO’s external relations department to focus on this very priority, there’s a lot more brewing. In “Building Stronger Connections: How PEO Is Enhancing Its Stakeholder Engagement” (p. 20), contributing writer Natalya Anderson explains the three-pronged approach to PEO’s engagement efforts through the external relations team—headed by longtime communications staffer David Smith. The hope is that this renewed engagement will help keep PEO relevant, support efforts to stay current with emerging trends and identify any risks and challenges early. “Developing an understanding of stakeholders’ opinions, concerns and priorities can help shape and improve our work,” Smith explains. “It can help to identify gaps or challenges that may exist while raising the profile of PEO’s mandate and some of our key policy areas.”
In this issue, we also dive into engineering education and how Engineers Canada’s Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) works with schools to ensure their engineering programs provide graduates with the necessary knowledge for licensure as a professional engineer. Through the voluntary accreditation program, the CEAB has accredited more than 300 programs in various engineering disciplines at post-secondary schools across Canada. Associate Editor Adam Sidsworth tells the story in “Supporting Academic Success: The Role of Accreditation in Engineering Schools” (p. 30).
Also of note, now that it’s elections season, is the PEO Council call for candidates. Nominations open this month for several positions. I encourage you to consider the impact you could make by influencing regulatory initiatives at the profession’s highest level. Find more details starting on page 35. e
LET US KNOW
To protect the public, PEO investigates all complaints about unlicensed individuals or companies, and unprofessional, inadequate or incompetent engineers. If you have concerns about the work of an engineer, fill out a Complaint Form found on PEO’s website and email it to complaints@peo.on.ca If you suspect a person or company is practising engineering without a licence, contact PEO’s enforcement hotline at 800-339-3716, ext. 1444, or by email at enforcement@peo.on.ca
The Corporate PEO
By Gregory P. Wowchuk, P.Eng., FEC
I hope everyone had an enjoyable and safe summer. For us on Council, this was an opportunity to regroup and prepare for a busy fall session.
In my last message, I referred to the “three-legged stool,” the foundation of which is our membership, volunteers and staff. The stool's stability is dependent on all three legs. What I did not mention was that there must be balance between the three components: Any well-functioning government—including professional regulators—must have checks and balances in place to provide the best outcome for all stakeholders.
AN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONALS
For several years now, PEO has undergone significant changes, most of which were prompted by an external regulatory review (the Cayton Report) led by Harry Cayton, former head of the United Kingdom’s Professional Standards Authority. The report acknowledged that, overall, PEO had been doing an acceptable job regulating Ontario's engineers, although it identified a number of areas where operational improvements were desirable. The report also recommended structural changes, which, from some perspectives, tend to challenge the unique nature of professional self-regulation.
Arguably, some of the changes flowing from the Cayton Report, as well as a series of Council-approved governance directions, have made our association more like a business corporation. Of course, we always have been a not-for-profit corporation, and the Professional Engineers Act clearly states we are an association of pro-
fessionals. The governance changes, however, have prompted a greater focus on the image and reputation of the organization, similar to what would be seen in a for-profit company.
For-profit corporations have one purpose: to make money for their shareholders, and, too often, this has been at the expense of society's interests. PEO is different, however; like all self-regulated professions in Canada, its primary obligation is to the public interest. I made this very clear in my last message to you.
SEPARATING THE POLITICAL FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE
One of the consequences of the regulatory review was Council's creation of an action plan that, in some respects, sharpened the divide between the political and administrative arms of PEO. In the current governance model, Council has only one employee: the CEO/registrar. Council creates policy and provides direction and control (oversight), while the CEO/registrar implements it. The role of volunteers, however, remains quite unclear.
Another recent change was that non-legislated committees run by volunteers were mostly eliminated in favour of other types of engagement, some of which are still being developed. As well, councillors were eligible for membership in only four new governance committees: the Governance and Nomination Committee, Regulatory Policy and Legislation Committee, Audit and Finance Committee and Human Resources Committee.
The only two remaining holdovers from our previous governance structure were the Regional Councillors Committee and Executive Committee (EXE). The former continues to be Council's interface with our 36 chapters, but lately there is some question of the role of the EXE. Most business corporations have reduced the role and power of their executive committees, and our new governance model is trying to do likewise. Our legislation, however, clearly provides a role for it:
• It may perform duties in lieu of Council (if so requested);
• It may refer a matter directly to discipline (presumably only under exceptional circumstances);
• It may consult with other committees (bidirectional communication);
• It may advise Council on financial matters or regarding Engineers Canada; and
• It may make reviews, forecasts, plans and recommendations to Council on policy matters (clearly an advisory role).
I firmly believe in balanced power in any governing body. I also embrace democracy to keep governors in their proper place. Two-thirds of Council is elected by the general membership, and I personally consider those who put us in our seats to be our constituents, the prime stakeholders of our association. In 1922, we were given exclusive and complete control of our profession, with the proviso that the public interest must be served foremost. So far, we've done a superb job.
We are in a period of exceptional change and increased rate of change. PEO must listen to all its stakeholders and address world-altering advances in artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing and many more. I want to encourage our rank-and-file members to participate in governing their profession. Become involved in your local chapter and PEO committees and advisory panels and, ultimately, run for Council. We need fresh ideas and a commitment to guiding this profession into a rapidly evolving future. e
Fostering EDI in Engineering
By Jennifer Quaglietta, MBA, P.Eng., ICD.D
Earlier this summer I addressed an International Women in Engineering Day event hosted by Siemens Canada. Upon entering the building, I paused to read the sign on the main entry door—#BelongingTransforms—and a note reminding all of those who enter, be it a guest or an employee, that "You Belong Here." Inside, I spoke to hundreds of women—many of them practising or aspiring engineers—about my engineering journey. Some who attended spoke to me one on one about their engineering careers, including one woman who decided to pursue her engineering licence after attending a 30 by 30 check-in meeting. The 30 by 30 initiative, led by Engineers Canada, brings together all of Canada’s engineering regulators, including PEO, to work toward women representing 30 per cent of newly licensed engineers by 2030.
I was equally inspired by a girls’ STEM summer camp organized by GE Healthcare. There, I spoke to 30 girls in grades 7 and 8 who participated in a weeklong camp where they built robots and coded computer programs. The girls were inspired to hear about my career in STEM and were equally impressed that I am the first woman to hold the CEO/registrar title at PEO in its 102-year history. Judging by the questions many of the girls asked, I am certain that some of them will one day join us in the engineering profession.
I want to continue the positive momentum from these two events and foster PEO’s relationships with groups traditionally underrepresented in engineering.
EDI MUST REMAIN AN ONGOING COMMITMENT THAT INVOLVES CONTINUOUS LISTENING, REFLECTION, LEARNING AND ACTION.
DEVELOPING OUR EDI ACTION PLAN
When Council approved PEO’s Anti-Racism and Equity (ARE) Code in 2022, PEO staff began developing an action plan to deliver on the code’s eight principles. We hired a full-time equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) manager to develop actionable activities to implement the ARE Code. And that work is paying off: Our EDI Action Plan, together with our EDI Framework, details our commitments over the next two years to promote a profession where everyone feels welcome.
As we were developing our EDI Action Plan, PEO was already busy achieving many EDI milestones, including:
• Removing the Canadian engineering experience requirement from our licensing process in May 2023, allowing for a fairer and more equitable process for internationally trained applicants;
• Initiating, in 2021, an ongoing gender audit of our licensing process that has already shined light on barriers women might face when completing their 48 months of experience;
• Partnering with consulting firm Indigenous and Community Engagement to promote the representation of Indigenous people in engineering; and
• Creating an external relations department, where PEO staff actively foster meaningful relationships with our external stakeholders, including many advocacy-focused groups such as Black Engineers of Canada, the Society of Women Engineers and newcomer and settlement agencies that assist international engineering graduates.
As we roll out our EDI Action Plan, we are not simply checking boxes. Nor are we compromising our regulatory mandate to protect the public interest. However, as Ontario’s engineering regulator, EDI must remain an ongoing commitment that involves continuous listening, reflection, learning and action. EDI also means actively collaborating with our stakeholders. This is why a national collaboration like 30 by 30 is incredibly important to ensuring engineering grows as an inclusive profession across Ontario and Canada. As PEO continues its EDI journey, I look forward to sharing our progress with you. We are on a journey to promote a culture of belonging so every engineer and aspiring engineer can see a place for themselves in the profession. e
PEO Publishes New Competency-Based Assessment Guides
To address stakeholder feedback and increase accessibility, PEO has produced new guides for applicants that provide information in clear, plain language.
By Adam Sidsworth
To improve applicants’ ability to navigate the licensing process, PEO has simplified the language of its competency-based assessment (CBA) guides for applicants and their validators with clear, plain language. The revised content of the CBA guides is part of a larger effort to ensure PEO’s licensing content is relevant, findable, understandable and usable.
The need for PEO to adopt more accessible language is crucial because in a typical year, approximately 60 per cent of applicants for licensure are internationally trained and may speak English as a second language. However, native English speakers will also benefit from the CBA guides’ more precise and direct content.
PEO revised its CBA guides after receiving feedback from chapter members, stakeholders through PEO’s external relations department, frontline licensing staff and inquiries to PEO’s customer service team indicating that prospective applicants were potentially confused by PEO’s application process. An internal feedback analysis indicated that applicants struggled to understand the regulator’s application process, particularly the CBA.
LICENSING PROCESS UPDATES
Adopting more accessible language is a key commitment of PEO as it continues its evolution as an effective 21st-century regulator. The 2019 external review of PEO’s performance as the provincial engineering regulator noted that “the [then] current licensing and registration process is lengthy, complex and difficult to follow.”
In May 2023, PEO’s licensing application process changed to become compliant with provincial legislation designed to promote fairness and transparency in regulated professions’ registration practices. Among the changes, PEO committed to making licensing decisions within six months of accepting a
complete application and no longer requires 12 months of supervised engineering experience in a Canadian jurisdiction (see “PEO Becomes First to Remove Canadian Experience Under FARPACTA,” Engineering Dimensions, Summer 2023, p. 12). To do this, PEO shifted to a frontend application process whereby academic and experience requirements must be met before applying for licensure. With the May 2023 changes, PEO also implemented a CBA method for evaluating applicants’ 48 months of engineering experience using 34 measurable competencies in seven categories. All 34 competencies are rated between 0 (no experience with the competency) and 5 (demonstrates the competency with complexity and no supervision). All candidates must answer all 34 competencies, along with their validator(s)—typically a supervisor, manager, mentor, client or colleague who provided supervision of the candidate throughout their work period. PEO staff also assess candidates on the same 34 competencies and make the final determination on licensure. Candidates must score at least a 1 in all 34 competencies and meet the minimum average for each of the seven categories to obtain their P.Eng.
WHAT PLAIN LANGUAGE MEANS
PEO’s shift to plain language—including its revised CBA guides—supports applicants’ ability to navigate PEO’s licensing process, including those for whom English is a second language. PEO sourced the principles of the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain Language—Part 1: Governing Principles and Guidelines, which empirically details plain language to ensure readers:
• Get what they need;
• Find what they need;
• Understand what they find; and
• Use the information.
Although the nature of the CBA guides’ content demands some engineering- and regulatory-specific terms, most of the content has been simplified with plain language to improve readability and accessibility.
WE’RE BRINGING BACK PRINT COPIES!
STARTING WITH THE WINTER 2025 ISSUE, you will have the option to receive a print or digital version of Engineering Dimensions.
Go to www.peo.on.ca and click on “Log In” at the top of the homepage. You will be directed to the PEO portal, where you can log in and choose the print or digital version of Engineering Dimensions under the Profile tab. If you don’t choose a preference, you will continue receiving the digital version. To ensure the magazine gets to you, please check that your email and mailing addresses are updated in the portal, too.
Engineers Canada Names New CEO
The national organization representing Canada’s provincial and territorial engineering regulators has named Philip Rizcallah as its new CEO.
The new CEO of Engineers Canada began his term on August 6. Philip Rizcallah, P.Eng., replaces Gerard McDonald, MBA, P.Eng., ICD.D, who retired on June 28 (see “Engineers Canada CEO Set to Retire in June,” Engineering Dimensions, Spring 2024, p. 14).
Rizcallah has over three decades of leadership experience with the federal government, most recently as CEO and deputy head of Accessibility Standards Canada, which aims to eliminate and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in the federal government and federally regulated industries. Prior to that, Rizcallah was program director of the construction division of National Research Council Canada, where he provided leadership to projects related to climate change adaptation, net-zero-ready buildings and homes, tall hybrid buildings, indoor air quality and national building codes.
“Joining Engineers Canada excites me for several reasons,” Rizcallah tells Engineering Dimensions. “It is incredibly motivating to be a part of an organization that plays a pivotal role in shaping the engineering profession in Canada. The chance to collaborate with a network of dedicated professionals on initiatives that have a national impact is something I have done with many interest groups throughout my career, and I am thrilled to do so with the engineering profession.”
PRIORITIZING EDI IN ENGINEERING
Rizcallah, who maintains his engineering licence with PEO, received his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, now merged into Dalhousie University, where Rizcallah also earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics.
Rizcallah hopes to quickly become acclimatized to his new position at Engineers Canada before committing to a concrete agenda. “My initial focus will be to assess the organization’s current state, identify priorities and develop a strategic action plan,” admits Rizcallah. “It’s still early days, and there are many conversations I need to have with our executive team, the Engineers Canada board and our key interest holders.”
Rizcallah hopes to meet with the leaders of Canada’s 12 provincial and territorial engineering regulators, industry partners and other representatives of the engineering community across Canada to assess how Engineers Canada can balance the voices of all 12 regulators; strengthen and maintain partnerships with industry, academia and governments; and streamline the regulators’ accreditation and licensing processes with the
By Adam Sidsworth
Philip Rizcallah, P.Eng., who took over the helm of Engineers Canada, is a PEOlicensed engineer who has worked in a leadership capacity with federal agencies for three decades.
current realities of the engineering profession, which is shifting towards an increased awareness and appreciation of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
“One of the initiatives I am most passionate about tackling is promotion of diversity and inclusion within the engineering field,” says Rizcallah. “I believe a diverse workforce brings a wealth of perspectives and ideas, which is crucial for innovation and problem solving. By supporting programs that encourage underrepresented groups, including women, persons with disabilities and Indigenous Peoples to pursue careers in engineering, we can create a more inclusive and dynamic profession.”
Rizcallah also notes the ongoing review of the accreditation process of engineering undergraduate degrees, which the Engineers Canada–led accreditation board leads on behalf of the engineering regulators to demonstrate that graduates meet the academic requirements for licensure. “Engineers Canada has a very extensive review and study underway on the accreditation process,” notes Rizcallah. “Recommendations will be coming forward very soon, and following discussions with key interest holders, we will begin an implementation strategy to hopefully streamline and modernize the current process to the benefit of all members of the accreditation ecosystem.”
Ultimately, though, Rizcallah is excited to be able to work towards a streamlined engineering model across Canada while advocating on behalf of the profession. “This role presents a unique opportunity to drive change, ensuring our practices evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world,” observes Rizcallah. “I am particu-
larly excited about collaborating with the regulators, industry and academia to develop forward-thinking solutions that not only enhance our profession but also contribute to the wellbeing of and progress of our society. Together, we can build a future where engineering excellence and ethical responsibility go hand in hand, making a lasting impact on our nation and beyond.”
ENGINEERS CANADA’S NEW PRESIDENT: MICHAEL WRINCH
Engineers Canada introduced Michael Wrinch, BASc, MASc, PhD, P.Eng., FEC, ICD.D, as its 2024–2025 president earlier this year during its spring meetings and annual meeting of members in Winnipeg, MB.
Wrinch, a licensed engineer in Ontario and British Columbia, holds a PhD from the University of British Columbia and has a BASc and MASc from Memorial University of Newfoundland. He is president of Hedgehog Technologies, an electro-mechanical engineering consulting firm that specializes in energy delivery, complex machines design and safety-critical systems. A former president of Engineers Geoscientists BC (EGBC), Wrinch also serves on the board of directors of several orga-
nizations, including Technical Safety BC, a provincial regulatory body that regulates, among other things, the amusement ride, boilers and pressure vessels and alternative safety approaches industries.
Wrinch was named to the Engineers Canada board by EGBC after serving on its board for four years. He notes that he asked to serve on the Engineers Canada board longer than would normally be expected. “I really wanted to be on the board for at least three or four years so I could understand my role before I took on more,” Wrinch says. “Presidential appointments are a threeyear process: transitioning from president-elect to president to past president. I was down to my last two-year term, so I had to ask EGBC for an extension, and they granted it to me. And this allowed me to move into the presidentelect role.”
Black Engineers of Canada Hosts AGM
Engineers from across Canada attended Black Engineers of Canada’s annual general meeting and fireside chat.
By Adam Sidsworth
Black Engineers of Canada (BEC), the national engineering advocacy organization representing the interests of Black Canadian engineers, held its third annual general meeting (AGM) and fireside chat on August 24 in Oakville, ON, with engineers from across Canada attending in person and virtually.
BEC President and Chair of the Board Iretomiwa Olukiyesi, P.Eng., FEC, chaired the hour-long AGM component that saw BEC thank outgoing board directors, welcome incoming board directors and recognize volunteers. Coincidently, Olukiyesi is a former member of PEO Council, having served as a lieutenant governor-in-council appointee.
BEC was founded with a mission “to provide an enabling environment for growth and leadership by developing pathways to excel for Black engineers and engineering graduates in Canada” and a vision that “Black people excel in their chosen engineering profession without limitations that are caused by societal biases.” Members—including engineers, engineering interns and engineering graduates—can participate in a variety of programs, such as BEC Mentorship, which allows experienced Black engineers to mentor up-and-coming Black engineers and graduates; BEC Career Centre, which posts job opportunities from engineering
employers; BEC Academy, which allows for continuous learning; as well as entrepreneurship, internship and networking opportunities.
DISCUSSING ENGINEERING’S FUTURE
Immediately following the AGM, moderator Comfort Fadugba, the founder and CEO of Vicom Consulting, which consults on equity, diversity and inclusion practices in British Columbia, moderated a fireside chat on the role of engineers in an increasingly technological world. Panelists included Cherizar Walker, a senior system safety engineer at Pratt & Whitney, where she works on its hybridelectric demonstrator program for aircraft. Walker, who is also a public speaker and published author, spoke about the challenges of developing batteries strong enough—and light enough—to power aircraft.
Also participating in the fireside chat was Modeste Muhire, P.Eng., PE (New York et al), PMP, a civil engineer based in Niagara Falls, ON. Muhire spoke about the responsibility of engineers designing and using artificial intelligence. Interestingly, Muhire is committed to encouraging international engineering graduates to apply for PEO licensure, having hosted a National Engineering Month event in which he guided potential applicants through PEO’s licensure process, which, since May 2023, no longer specifically requires Canadian engineering experience (see “NEM Hosts Week of Events About the P.Eng.,” Engineering Dimensions, Spring 2024, p. 12).
For more information about BEC, visit www.blackengineers.ca.
Dolapo Olaniawo speaks with incoming BEC director Olu Osunade, PhD, P.Eng., after the AGM and fireside chat.
Delegates attended the Black Engineers of Canada annual AGM and fireside chat on August 24.
From left to right: Fireside chat panelists and moderator Modeste Muhire, P.Eng., PE (New York et al), PMP, Comfort Fadugba and Cherizar Walker pose with BEC President and Chair of the Board Iretomiwa Olukiyesi, P.Eng., FEC.
PEO CEO/REGISTRAR VISITS STEM CAMP FOR GIRLS
CEO/Registrar Jennifer Quaglietta, MBA, P.Eng., ICD.D, attended a girls’ summer camp hosted by GE Healthcare in Mississauga, ON, on August 22. Quaglietta encouraged the girls to consider STEM careers and provided mentoring advice on navigating an engineering education and career.
The following events may have an in-person and/or online component. See individual websites for details.
Aligned: Stakeholder Management for Product Leaders by Bruce McCarthy and Melissa Appel, 2024: This practical book shows product managers how to build trusting relationships with stakeholders, optimize your communication for different audiences, get buy-in for your ideas and roadmaps, and have stakeholders appreciate it when you say no.
Transformed: Moving to the Product Operating Model by Marty Cagan, 2024: This book is for those driving change, including senior company leaders, who need to collaborate with the product teams, product leaders, members of the product teams, and all those who either support or depend on these product teams.
READ LISTEN WATCH
The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle, 2018: This book reveals what makes some of the world’s most successful organizations tick. It demystifies the culture-building process by identifying three key skills that generate cohesion and co-operation and explains how diverse groups learn to function with a single mind.
ATTEND
OCTOBER 23–24
International Conference on Industrial Chemistry and Engineering, Toronto, ON www.researchfora.net/event/index. php?id=2547147
OCTOBER 30–31
International Conference on Environment, Biotechnology and Bioengineering Applications, Toronto, ON www.iierd.org/events/index.php?id=2488885
NOVEMBER 4–5
International Conference on Construction Robotics and Concrete Structures, Toronto, ON https://researchsociety.co/event/index. php?id=2560472
NOVEMBER 7–8
International Conference on Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Informatics, Toronto, ON https://iser.org.in/conf/index.php?id=2563616
NOVEMBER 8–9
International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering, Toronto, ON https://iser.org.in/conf/index.php?id=2563618
NOVEMBER 29–30
PEO Order of Honour Gala and Volunteer Symposium, Toronto, ON www.peo.on.ca
DECEMBER 2–3
International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, Computer, Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Toronto, ON https://researchleagues.com/event/index. php?id=2572065
99 Per cent Invisible
Hosted by Roman Mars, this narrative podcast is about all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about—the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world. https://99percentinvisible.org
Engineering the Future
Hosted by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, this podcast features candid interviews with industry, government and academic professionals who are leaders and innovators in their field. https://ospe.on.ca/podcast
Smarter Everyday
This YouTube channel explores the world from an engineering perspective. www.youtube.com/user/destinws2
Minute Physics
Created by Henry Reich, this educational YouTube channel explores “cool physics and other sweet science.” www.youtube.com/@MinutePhysics
Vsauce
This YouTube channel presents videos on a range of topics of a scientific, mathematical and technological nature. www.youtube.com/user/Vsauce
We need people who are passionate about engineering and want to make a difference in the profession.
If you’ve never thought of running for PEO Council before, consider the impact you can make by influencing regulatory initiatives and critical policy issues at the profession’s highest level.
PEO is seeking candidates for positions on the 2025–2026 Council who reflect the diversity of the profession, can provide a problem-solving attitude to all discussions and are knowledgeable about board governance.
Find the 2025 Council Elections Call for Candidates on page 35 of this issue. But hurry—you only have until November 25 to nominate yourself or a fellow engineer.
First Nations Engineer Paves the Way for Future Generations
By Natalya Anderson
John Jonassen, P.Eng., has asked questions and sought practical solutions since he was a child. Today, Jonassen is putting this practice into helping First Nations communities develop projects sustainably. While the manager of engineering services at Indigenous-owned engineering consulting firm Warrior Engineering, he and his team specialized in infrastructure development in northwestern Ontario with a focus on Indigenous community capacity-building.
A love for math and science first propelled Jonassen toward engineering when he was a young boy, and his parents were deeply involved in encouraging their children to expand their learning capacities beyond limitations. “Favourite subjects of mine in school were always math and science, and having a family heavily involved in the trades I was exposed to home renovation and automotive repair at a young age,” says Jonassen, who is a member of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.
When the time came to decide what to do after high school, Jonassen says he knew the right career path involved the practical application of math and science— and for him, that meant engineering. “There was a lot of pressure to attend university and graduate, so I actually decided to go to college first and made sure I was mature enough as a student before I attended university to ensure my success,” Jonassen says. “The bridge program between
Confederation College’s civil engineering technology program and Lakehead University’s civil engineering degree program made this a very attractive path to becoming an engineer.”
MAKING AN IMPACT
After becoming a P.Eng., Jonassen was drawn back to PEO’s Lakehead Chapter, where he discovered the value of developing a professional community. He also developed a belief in creating success through stronger connections. “As I got more experience in the industry, I realized how important networking is,” says Jonassen. “Having had most of my experience outside of the Lakehead Chapter, I wanted to get involved in the local chapter and bring that perspective to the region.”
At the 61st Annual Engineering and Technology Conference last fall, Jonassen was a highlighted speaker for the Lakehead Chapter, where he shared his presentation on the Seventh Generation Principle. Based on the traditional teachings of many Indigenous groups, this principle states that the decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future and that we should reflect on the decisions of the past in a similar manner. Jonassen discussed how it is important for engineers and other decision-makers to consider the impact of their projects on both the environment and future generations of people.
Jonassen furthered his efforts to support and promote Indigenous culture and communities through his work at Warrior Engineering. “Warrior Engineering builds technical skills capacity in Indigenous communities through partnerships with Indigenous communities, government and industry to provide technical employment opportunities for Indigenous students supported by successful work contracts and grants,” says Jonassen. “I originally got involved with Warrior Engineering during the pandemic after working on the Wataynikaneyap Power Project.”
When he first heard about the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project (WPTP) in the news, Jonassen said he immediately knew this was a project he wanted to be a part of. One of the largest First Nations–led electricity projects in Ontario’s history, the WPTP is connecting 17 remote First Nations communities to the provincial power grid, removing their reliance on diesel-generated electricity. Having worked previously with Hydro One Remote Communities, Jonassen felt familiar with the challenges northern communities faced and realized the WPTP was a project that would have a positive impact on future generations. As a project engineer, Jonassen and his team ensured towers could be built safely in the face of unpredictable terrain such as muskeg and bedrock.
CONSIDERING INDIGENOUS NEEDS
Beyond his work, Jonassen continues to foster his passion for improving technical skills capacity among Indigenous people. “Technical skills capacity-building is important to Indigenous communities in Ontario because in many Indigenous communities there aren’t always day-to-day role models like engineers or biologists or surveyors, and this is something that should change as community infrastructure expands,” explains Jonassen.
For engineers who might never reflect on this, Jonassen would like professionals to understand how the engineering industry plays a role in truth and reconciliation. He feels that, due to engineering’s early involvement in the
John Jonassen has centred his engineering career on Indigenous community capacity-building and infrastructure development.
John Jonassen, P.Eng., is passionate about supporting Indigenous communities through his engineering work.
lifecycle of projects and the development of contracts, at the very least, projects will be at risk if they don’t consider Indigenous communities. “At a very basic level, this means respecting the communications protocols of Indigenous communities and engaging in meaningful consultation, especially during the very early stages of a project,” says Jonassen. “The engineering industry has the power and responsibility to enable Indigenous employment and business involvement in projects at both the RFP and contract level. I think you will
find many clients these days are requesting this sort of arrangement, and I hope all engineers can understand the positive socio-economic benefits to providing indigenous procurement and employment opportunities, especially when it is a top priority to your clients.” e
PEO FOCUSES ON INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT
As part of its commitment to enable and promote a culture of inclusion, PEO has been working with consulting firm Indigenous and Community Engagement (ICE) to identify challenges and opportunities related to the representation of Indigenous engineers as well as co-create policy approaches to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action as they relate to PEO’s Code of Ethics and Anti-Racism and Equity Code.
PEO sees the TRC’s Calls to Action as crucial to the engineering profession’s evolution. As recently as March 2024, Statistics Canada and Engineers Canada both report that, although Indigenous people make up over 4.9 per cent of the country’s population, they are notably underrepresented in the industry. The reports further indicate that Indigenous people make up only 0.6 per cent of undergraduate enrolment in engineering programs and a mere 0.73 per cent of the profession at large. The data suggests that this underrepresentation is a direct result of barriers within the system of education and employment. “These barriers are multifaceted, encompassing social, political and economic challenges that have been perpetuated by ongoing colonization and intergenerational trauma from the residential school system,” the Engineers Canada report indicates.
IMPLEMENTING RECOMMENDATIONS
On April 8, 2022, PEO Council passed a motion that tasked PEO’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Exploratory Working Group with evaluating PEO’s role in truth and reconciliation. The motion asked that they further
answer Calls to Action through meaningful engagement with Indigenous people, members and communities in Ontario; work towards developing policy approaches led by Indigenous people; and provide updates to Council throughout the year and to licence holders at every annual general meeting. ICE was then hired in April 2023 to consult with Indigenous engineers and share their findings and recommendations.
As this work is very new, the team, led by PEO Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager Kay Mehrizi, are in the mist of finalizing some of the ways to implement ICE’s recommendations. Mehrizi and her team will be working toward several end points, including preparing a vision statement for PEO’s Indigenous initiatives and sharing findings with licence holders and groups such as the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers and PEO chapters. Further projects will include preparing practice guidelines for licence and certificate of authorization holders, collecting baseline data for Indigenous people in engineering in Ontario, reviewing the licensure process and requirements and creating an official statement on reconciliation. Further review will be required in the areas of land acknowledgements at PEO events and supporting funding initiatives to raise Indigenous participation in the engineering profession. Final points include a suggested review of the Professional Engineers Act, the Code of Ethics and PEAK topics and the provision of mandatory training for PEO staff and Council around truth and reconciliation.
Small steps forward and discussion with industry leaders will ensure PEO implements these suggestions for greater inclusion in the profession at large. “The very first step to actualizing the recommendations above will be collecting additional data from licence holders,” Mehrizi says.
THE ASSOCIATION HAS RECEIVED WITH REGRET NOTIFICATION OF THE DEATHS OF THE FOLLOWING LICENCE HOLDERS (AS OF AUGUST 2024).
AL KHATIB, Husam Mississauga, ON
ANELLO, Gioseph Whitby, ON
ARMITAGE, Bruce Harvey Toronto, ON
ATKINSON, Charles Harrison Niagara Falls, ON
BADDOUR, Raouf Emile London, ON
BANDLER, John William Dundas, ON
BARDEN, George Philip Kanata, ON
BARON, Peter James Markham, ON
BLACKMORE, Phillip Wharton Fenwick, ON
BRADDOCK, Richard Walter North York, ON
BUTLER, Peter Howard Kingston, ON
CHARLESWORTH, Arthur Mahlon Ottawa, ON
CHRISTOFFERSEN, Mogens Toronto, ON
CONFORZI, John Peter Toronto, ON
DANIAL, Farid Nasry Francis Mississauga, ON
DAVEY, Keith Francis Mississauga, ON
DEWAR, Eric Pickering, ON
DILLON, William Douglas Braeside, ON
DIMMA, William Andrew Toronto, ON
DOLHAN, Christopher Bryan Brampton, ON
DOULL, Douglas Frederick Charles Petrolia, ON
DYCHE, Gerald Edward North York, ON
ERWIN, Edward Hugh Markham, ON
FORMANDL, George Jiri Dundas, ON
FORSYTH, Eric Boyland Brookhaven, NY
FOSTER, Douglas Edward Whitby, ON
GARBARY, Anthony Michael Unionville, ON
GELEVAN, William Dwight Bedford, NS
GENOVY, Michael Anthony Sarnia, ON
GIACOBBO, Mario Patrick Burlington, ON
GILLESPIE, Robert Thomas Ellis Mississauga, ON
GRIFFIN, Daniel Burlington, ON
HENSMAN, Desmond Lawrence Kingston, ON
HOEFEL, Harald Ewald Mississauga, ON
HUGHES, Roger Thomas Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
JOHNS, Ian Annal Toronto, ON
KIZAS, Photios Ottawa, ON
KLEIN, Meir Thornhill, ON
KLOMPSTRA, Matthew Jon Sombra, ON
KORCHINSKI, Josaphat Markham, ON
KURATCZYK, Edward Victor Kincardine, ON
KWAN, Helen Yik-Man Georgetown, ON
LAM, Hon-Shing North York, ON
LAM, Kwok Ying Toronto, ON
LAW, Aaron Maxim John Port Dover, ON
LEENDERS, Michiel Rudolf London, ON
LUBECKI, Luis Thornhill, ON
MARMARCHI, Kais Mississauga, ON
MCDONALD, Donald Glen Arnprior, ON
MCLEAN, Kevin Alexander Barrie, ON
MUPPALANENI, Sriman Narayana Mississauga, ON
NENEMAN, Ryszard Brossard, QC
NG, Yu-Fatt Howard Burlington, ON
PAVLOVIC, Dragan Mississauga, ON
PEREIRA, Aubert Joseph Diago Kingston, ON
PHILLIPS, Mary Jane Toronto, ON
PINARD, Martin Marc Laval, QC
POPIEL, James Stanley Newmarket, ON
POPOWYCZ, Peter Pawlo Oakville, ON
POSTEPSKI, Alina Teresa North York, ON
PULA, Robert Brian Tecumseh, ON
RACICOT, Louis Stephane Joseph Jacques Boucherville, QC
RENNICK, Melville William Palmer Toronto, ON
ROGERS, Joseph Hurlburt Charlottetown, PE
ROY, Rene Phillippe Toronto, ON
ROZEN, Marcel Toronto, ON
SADR, Changiz Willow Beach, ON
SCOTT, Allan Ross Oshawa, ON
SEABY, Cordell Sanford Burlington, ON
SEUBERT, Paul William Mississauga, ON
SIMMIE, Robert George Owen Sound, ON
STEENKAMP, Otto Thornhill, ON
STEWART, Gregg Ryan Port Elgin, ON
STOYLES, Francis Herbert Nepean, ON
TATAR, Leszek Aleksander North York, ON
THOMAS, Laura Mae Keller, TX
TIMM, Walter Jason John Milton, ON
TOD, David Bryce Ottawa, ON
TOPPI, Sulev Toronto, ON
TRAVERS, Claude Maurice George Whitby, ON
TREGURTHA, Peter Graham Burlington, ON
TURNER, Paul Squamish, BC
VAN RIJN, Gerard John Spencerville, ON
VASIC, Gregory Radmilo Georgetown, Cayman Islands
WE’RE BRINGING BACK PRINT COPIES!
STARTING WITH THE WINTER 2025 ISSUE,
you will have the option to receive a print or digital version of Engineering Dimensions.
LET US KNOW YOUR PREFERENCE
Go to www.peo.on.ca and click on “Log In” at the top of the homepage. You will be directed to the PEO portal, where you can log in and choose the print or digital version of Engineering Dimensions under the Profile tab. If you don’t choose a preference, you will continue receiving the digital version. To ensure the magazine gets to you, please check that your email and mailing addresses are updated in the portal, too.
VELLA, Alexander Nipigon, ON
VIGANTS, Arnold Janis Crosby, TX
VOYTEK, Rudy Stephen John Mississauga, ON
WALLACE, Alan Espanola, ON
WEEMEES, Ilmar Andrew Vancouver, BC
WHITE, Edward Kenneth Toronto, ON
WILLIAMS PORTAL, Emilio Sudbury, ON
WONG, Edward Ottawa, ON
YUE, Kien-Toong North York, ON
BUILDING STRONGER CONNECTIONS
How PEO Is Enhancing Its Stakeholder Engagement
BY NATALYA ANDERSON
A
recent addition to PEO’s roster, the external relations team was created as part of PEO’s commitment to strengthen its connection with licence holders and other stakeholders.
IMAGINE LAUNCHING
an ambitious engineering project, such as a new infrastructure initiative or a cutting-edge technology deployment. The plans are thorough, the team is composed of top experts and compliance with technical standards are assured. Yet, as the project progresses, unexpected challenges arise because of community pushback or misaligned expectations from key interest holders. What went wrong? In this scenario, the answer lies in a vital yet frequently underestimated factor: stakeholder engagement.
In the realm of engineering, where public safety is paramount, the success of any project depends not only on technical expertise but also on the ability to engage with those who can affect and are affected by the project’s outcomes. But what does effective stakeholder engagement entail for engineering regulators like PEO?
David Smith, PEO’s director, external relations, says it is integral for PEO to engage with the people and organizations impacted by the body’s legislative mandate to serve and protect the public interest. Given its broad responsibilities as a regulator, this involves a coordinated approach to ensure a diversity of perspectives are taken into consideration when input is needed. “Our aim is to build a culture of feedback through an engagement process that is both responsive and accountable—where active stakeholder participation is encouraged, and the outcomes of our work are communicated back to those who participated,” Smith explains. “Not only do we hope this process will build trust among our stakeholders and demonstrate our commitment to addressing their concerns as we’re able, but the results of these engagements will better inform Council’s ultimate role in approving and refining policies, practices and strategic initiatives.”
INCLUSIVE DIALOGUE
Created just two years ago, the external relations department was inspired by PEO’s ongoing transformation journey that began in 2019 following a regulatory performance review and subsequent action plan to address the review’s recommendations. “Today, the commitment to external relations is cemented in PEO’s 2023–2025 Strategic Plan, with one of the plan’s four goals being to ‘Refresh PEO’s vision to ensure all stakeholders see relevance and value in PEO,’” Smith says. Recognizing the need for improved connections between PEO and its stakeholders is part of this commitment to refreshing and renewing.
And there is no lack of interest in this avenue of renewal from within the profession. PEO recently reported an overwhelming interest from licence holders regarding its new Strategic Stakeholder Advisory Group (SSAG), suggesting that engineers are keen on being part of new conversations about shaping the profession (see “New Strategic Stakeholder Advisory Group Takes Flight,” Engineering Dimensions, Spring 2024, p. 11). Comprised of volunteers from
Ontario’s engineering community, the SSAG was formed to provide input on potential strategies and activities related to PEO’s regulatory mandate and help identify and facilitate dialogue with appropriate stakeholders.
“Developing an understanding of stakeholders’ opinions, concerns and priorities can help shape and improve our work,” Smith explains. “It can help to identify gaps or challenges that may exist while raising the profile of PEO’s mandate and some of our key policy areas.” Notably, Smith says the external relations team serves as a point of contact for dealing with various ministries and agencies of the Ontario government, including the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Office of the Fairness Commissioner. They also maintain relationships with important organizations with ties to the engineering profession, such as the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers and other advocacy bodies, Engineers Canada, provincial and territorial engineering regulators, engineering students, deans of engineering, regulators of other professions, licence holders and many others. “Essentially, we serve as a conduit of information between PEO and the engineering, political, industrial and educational landscapes, which helps to inform our policy and strategy development,” Smith says.
Under an umbrella approach, the department seeks out engagement opportunities through three business units: pre-licensing outreach, practice advisory services and stakeholder relations. Combined, the activities of the department help ensure PEO is, and is seen to be, responsive. Responsive is a key word in this renewal process, according to Smith.
PRE-LICENSING OUTREACH
The pre-licensing outreach unit focuses on stakeholders with an interest in licensure as a professional engineer in Ontario. The team supports existing engineering interns (EITs) through the licensure process and oversees PEO’s Student Membership Program (SMP) while maintaining relationships with the Engineering Student Societies’ Council of Ontario (ESSCO) and other student organizations. It also engages with employers of engineers to assist with their own internal intern programs and licensure training needs and delivers presentations to a variety of stakeholders to inform of PEO’s role as a licensing body, the licence application process and the importance of licensure.
Tracey Caruana, P.Eng., PEO’s manager of pre-licensing outreach, develops and oversees these activities. Her role consists of developing relationships and providing program-related liaison with engineering employers, chapter executives, university faculty members, newcomer and settlement agencies, applicants for licensure, student organizations and others to increase awareness of PEO’s licensure requirements and process. Additionally,
“DEVELOPING AN UNDERSTANDING OF STAKEHOLDERS’ OPINIONS, CONCERNS AND PRIORITIES CAN HELP SHAPE AND IMPROVE OUR WORK,” SMITH EXPLAINS.
“IT CAN HELP TO IDENTIFY GAPS OR CHALLENGES THAT MAY EXIST WHILE RAISING THE PROFILE OF PEO’S MANDATE AND SOME OF OUR KEY POLICY AREAS.”
Caruana oversees the SMP, legacy EIT program and Licensure Assistance Program. She is also responsible for overseeing and maintaining PEO’s involvement in Engineers Canada’s 30 by 30, a country-wide initiative to have 30 per cent of newly licensed engineers be women by the year 2030.
“The objectives of my engagement with engineering students is to provide guidance and increase awareness of PEO’s licensing requirements and the value of the licence, as well as maintain relationships with the Engineering Student Societies’ Council of Ontario and other student organizations,” explains Caruana.
In 2023, Ontario’s Universities—a group acting as a voice for the province’s universities—reported that engineering graduates and researchers are needed now more than ever. “As the demand for engineers increases across the province, and as the province works to grow the economy, Ontario’s universities will continue to train the engineering workforce Ontario needs to fill in-demand jobs and conduct groundbreaking research across key sectors,” the Ontario’s Universities website states. “These engineering professionals will be essential to building the road to the Ring of Fire, designing the electric vehicles of the future and bringing modern technologies to finance, ultimately helping fuel local workforces and create jobs in construction, information technology and more.”
It is this important role that propels Caruana’s purpose, too, where her work involves collaborating with student organizations such as ESSCO, supporting student conferences such as the PEO Student Conference, liaising with engineering faculties and students to inform and answer questions on the P.Eng. licensing process and conducting presentations to post-secondary engineering students to ensure awareness of PEO’s licensing requirements and reinforce the value of engineering licensure.
Within the next year, Caruana says the pre-licensing outreach unit plans to increase outreach to both new and existing stakeholders. Since PEO’s licensing process was updated in May 2023, there has been an increase in requests for presentations and workshops or a need for PEO’s presence at industry events. “We have worked with a number of employers in assisting with their revised engineering development programs and hope to continue this going forward,” Caruana says.
PRACTICE ADVISORY SERVICES
The practice advisory services unit tracks and responds to all practice-related inquiries. It provides interpretation, education and guidance to a variety of PEO stakeholders on standards of professional and ethical practice as set out in the Professional Engineers Act and other key regulations. To do this, its staff promote the availability and use of PEO’s professional practice bulletins, standards and guidelines for licence holders and maintain relationships with provincial and municipal governments, technical associations, industry and other provincial professional regulatory bodies to support good professional practice.
For guidance on a wide range of topics, licence holders can consult the PEO Knowledge Centre (www.peo.on.ca/ knowledge-centre) for standards, bulletins and guidelines related to their practice. Practitioners can also email PEO’s practice advisory team for further support at practice-standards@peo.on.ca.
“Our practice advisory services are available as a free service for professional engineers in Ontario as well as the public to discuss matters relating to professional practice, ethics and standards,” explains Jane Mustac, P.Eng., PEO’s manager, practice advisory services. “Practice advisors may assist in identifying and evaluating the options and risks involved in taking various courses of action with the intention to support an individual’s reflection and decision-making process. The practice advisory service is meant to be an educational resource that is intended to support but not replace professional or legal judgment.”
This engagement with licence holders is important as the engineering profession evolves. “Practice advisors focus on ethics, standards and the regulations that affect professional engineers in their practice,” Mustac says. “PEO aims to provide education and information to help members improve their knowledge and understanding of these laws and standards. Engagement supports policy development and, ultimately, decisionmaking by Council around regulatory obligations for P.Engs in all practice areas.”
STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS
The stakeholder relations arm of the department supports the implementation and tracking of major strategic stakeholder relations projects and initiatives. The unit is also responsible for keeping aware of and anticipating emerging issues, engaging with stakeholders and providing opportunities to receive feedback, including through PEO’s Government Liaison Program (GLP). This program harnesses the efforts of PEO volunteers to help ensure the provincial government views PEO as a partner and understands and supports its policy direction.
As the manager of stakeholder relations, including PEO’s new SSAG and GLP, Charles Blanco sees this new chapter in PEO’s outreach as adding value and continuity in how PEO engages with its stakeholders at all levels. He feels engagement is important to PEO’s regulatory mandate and the well-being of the industry in Ontario.
“Given PEO’s public interest mandate, providing effective maintenance and mechanisms for stakeholder engagement is very important,” says Blanco. “Engaging with stakeholders on a continual, meaningful basis allows PEO to stay on top of any issues, concerns or changes in the engineering landscape that may affect its legislative mandate.” For an effective and robust engagement
process, this can involve engaging with provincial ministries, the engineering industry and the public at large on certain issues and coordinating consultations with subject matter experts.
Ultimately, each of PEO’s external relations leaders see this renewed engagement as keeping PEO more relevant than ever, strengthening efforts to stay current with emerging trends and identifying any risks and challenges early. Blanco says the three-pronged approach to connection is significant to all engineers and their future. “This approach is integral as it allows for a complete umbrella approach to our stakeholder management at all levels,” explains Blanco. “Each section has its own unique role that addresses specific stakeholders’ needs. By engaging in a three-pronged approach, the external relations department can effectively target and maintain relationships, communication and information output to specific groups.”
As the department continues to refine their engagement strategies and protocols, Smith says the team is committed to building a robust and diverse stakeholder network that reflects the entire engineering community, encouraging active participation of affected stakeholders in PEO engagement initiatives, gathering meaningful and comprehensive stakeholder input on all issues requiring engagement and ensuring this input is considered in the deliberation and decision-making processes. “Ultimately, the efforts of the external relations department aim to help inspire confidence amongst all our stakeholders in PEO’s ability to regulate the practice of engineering in Ontario and govern engineering practitioners,” Smith says. e
The external relations team wants to hear from those who are impacted by and/or interested in PEO’s work. If you have comments, questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out by email at engagement@peo.on.ca.
Licence Holders Embrace Their PEAK Obligations
We highlight updates and deadlines for PEO’s mandatory continuing professional development program for 2024.
By Adam Sidsworth
As PEAK ends its second year as a mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) program for licence holders, PEO reports that most practitioners are embracing their CPD responsibilities. As of the middle of September, 83 per cent of licence holders required to participate in PEAK have completed the program’s first two elements, while another 5 per cent are in progress to complete them.
PEAK consists of three elements, including the:
• Practice Evaluation (due on January 31 each year), in which licence holders complete either the Practice Evaluation Questionnaire or Non-Practising Survey;
• Professional Practice Module (due on January 31 each year), in which licence holders complete a self-paced learning module covering topics such as engineering practice; regulatory processes; and equity, diversity and inclusion within the profession; and
• CPD Report (due on December 31 each year), in which practising licence holders declare their CPD activities throughout the year. A licence holder’s personalized target CPD hours are assigned based on the risks in their practice, determined by their responses to questions about their engineering practice.
PEAK is mandatory for all licence holders except those on fee remission. Those who don’t complete their PEAK requirements could be subject to a licence suspension, meaning they can’t practise engineering or access title rights, and their licence will be listed in PEO’s directory as suspended. There are serious consequences for continuing to practice in violation of a suspension, up to and including the permanent revocation of a licence. However, a licence suspension can be quickly lifted by properly completing all outstanding PEAK elements.
EXPANDED CPD CRITERIA
With the December 31 deadline for the CPD Report quickly approaching, PEO wants to remind licence holders of the expanded list of eligible activities that can qualify as meeting the program’s requirements. Eligible CPD activities now include supplementary activities, which are learning areas that support your practice, such as project management, leadership and communications. These activities can make up to 20 per cent of the CPD Report (see “2024 PEAK Updates, Explained,” Engineering Dimensions, Winter 2024, p. 28). The other 80 per cent of your required CPD hours must continue to be priority CPD activities, which relate directly to your current engineering practice to help you maintain or enhance your
professional engineering competence and not your acts of professional engineering, like your professional practice work.
Licence holders are asked to retain supporting documentation related to their CPD hours for at least three years, in case PEO selects you for a compliance audit. Licence holders should retain the following records, depending on what is associated with the CPD activity:
• Registration records, including enrollment confirmation, conference registration, sign-in sheets or attendance logs;
• Content records, such as dates for an activity, a course transcript, description of topics covered in a session or presentation slides; or
• Attendance records, such as a letter of attendance, certificate of completion, attendance receipt, exam result or confirmation that you participated as a speaker.
CPD FROM OTHER ENGINEERING REGULATORS
PEO understands that some licence holders are licensed in multiple Canadian jurisdictions. Those who reside elsewhere in Canada and are already completing CPD for their home jurisdiction can report the applicable CPD hours in the PEAK system—they don’t need to complete extra CPD activities. Regardless of where (and for whom) the activities were completed, licence holders should ensure the CPD hours they wish to report as part of their PEAK obligations conform with PEAK’s admissibility requirements.
Note that licence holders are required to complete the PEAK program, which involves an evaluation of their Ontario practice, a learning module about professional practice for Ontario and reporting of admissible CPD activities they may have completed anywhere across the globe.
Questions about PEAK? Visit peopeak.ca or email peopeak@peo.on.ca e
Summary of Decision and Reasons
In the matter of a complaint regarding the conduct of HAFIZ M. AHMAD, P.ENG., a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, and ORBIT ENGINEERING LIMITED, a holder of a Certificate of Authorization.
PART ONE—DECISION ON THE MERITS
April 24–28; May 15–17, 23–25; June 2, 5, 6; July 26, 27, 2023
The Discipline Committee considered allegations of professional misconduct referred to it in respect of the conduct of Mr. Hafiz M. Ahmad, P.Eng., and Orbit Engineering Limited (“Orbit”), a former holder of a Certificate of Authorization from the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. Mr. Ahmad was responsible for the engineering services provided under the Certificate of Authorization.
This decision pertains to two matters (and two Statements of Allegations) that were joined before the Panel. The matter involves allegations that Mr. Ahmad and Orbit tampered with emails and sent unprofessional communications. The parties admitted that Mr. Ahmad wrote the Muddy Game Email but denied the remainder of the allegations. PEO bears the onus of proving the allegations on a balance of probabilities.
PEO retained an expert with a background in digital forensics and e-discovery who had previously qualified as an expert in cases involving email data, specifically the analysis of email headers. Based on the evidence, the Discipline Committee does not believe Mr. Ahmad was hacked, on the balance of probabilities. Based on the evidence, all three emails came from the same IP address and the same computer, with the same Helo code—“Hafiz.”
Mr. Ahmad provided insufficient evidence regarding the original So Sorry Email. As per The Law of Evidence in Canada, there is an absence of an explanation regarding the insufficient evidence that is persuasive to the matter. This amounts to an implied admission that the evidence would not support Mr. Ahmad’s case.
PART TWO—DECISION AND REASONS ON PENALTY
January 23, 24, 2024
The Discipline Committee convened to consider the penalty phase of the matter regarding Mr. Ahmad and Orbit. The parties were found guilty of professional misconduct, in the form of unprofessional conduct contrary to subsection 72(2) (j) of Regulation 941 of the Professional Engineers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 28.
The penalty must further one or more of the following objectives: (1) deterring the member specifically, (2) deter-
ring other members generally from engaging in professional misconduct, (3) rehabilitating the member, (4) protecting the public, and (5) maintaining public confidence in the ability of the profession to self-regulate. PEO argued that Mr. Ahmad’s conduct is serious and warrants a severe penalty. The parties argued that the Discipline Committee should deal with the misconduct separately in its penalty. The Discipline Committee decided to order a global penalty for the misconduct, as argued by the Association, rather than separate penalties, as argued by the parties.
Regarding suspension, counsel for PEO stated that there appears to be no comparable cases to this one within the engineering profession. Accordingly, it was appropriate to canvas cases from other self-regulating professional bodies. Mr. Ahmad’s lack of prior discipline history is a mitigating factor, but the misconduct was self-interested and involved elements of dishonesty. The parties argued that if a suspension of Mr. Ahmad’s licence is imposed, the Discipline Committee should find an Orbit employee who is a professional engineer to take over Orbit’s Certificate of Authorization to not affect the livelihoods of people whose conduct is not an issue in this matter. The Discipline Committee agreed and decided to delay the start of Ahmad’s suspension for 30 days after the date of this decision to allow another holder of a licence to assume responsibility.
The Discipline Committee believes that an oral reprimand and the fact of the reprimand being recorded on Ahmad’s register for two years supports specific and general deterrence while maintaining public confidence in the profession’s ability to self-regulate. PEO argued it is important that Mr. Ahmad complete the National Professional Practice Examination (“NPPE”) due to the lack of insight and remorse shown at the Hearing on the Merits. The possibility of supervision would provide an incentive for Mr. Ahmad to pass the NPPE within 14 months and that it provides a contingency plan.
The Discipline Committee imposed the following penalty: an oral reprimand of the Member, recorded for two (2) years on his register; the findings and order of the Discipline Committee published in summary form with reference to names; a suspension of Mr. Ahmad’s licence for a period of three (3)
months, commencing 30 days after the date of the Panel’s decision on penalty; a term or condition on Mr. Ahmad’s licence requiring he shall successfully complete the NPPE within fourteen (14) months of the Panel’s decision on penalty; a restriction on Mr. Ahmad’s licence prohibiting him from practising professional engineering except under the direct supervision of another professional engineer, who shall take responsibility for Mr. Ahmad’s professional engineering work by affixing their seal on every final drawing, report or other document prepared by Mr. Ahmad. Such restriction shall
be suspended for 14 months from the date of the Panel’s decision on penalty and shall be suspended indefinitely on Mr. Ahmad’s successful completion of the NPPE at anytime before or after the 14-month period; and there shall be an order for Mr. Ahmad to pay costs to PEO in the sum of $30,000, within six (6) months from the date of the Panel’s decision on penalty.
This decision is pending the outcome of the appeal.
Summary of Decision and Reasons
In the matter of a complaint regarding the conduct of BORIS P. NANEFF, P.ENG., a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario
March 18, 2024
The Discipline Committee considered allegations of professional misconduct referred to it in respect of the conduct of Mr. Boris P. Naneff, P.Eng., a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario.
The parties filed an Agreed Statement of Facts. Mr. Naneff was the president of Rainbow Concrete Industries Limited and Granite Prestressed Concrete Limited. Mr. Naneff directed an employee to arrange to build a concrete arch structure over a private roadway on property operated by Rainbow Concrete Industries Limited. A building permit was not obtained before directing the construction of the Arch, despite the requirement to do so under the Ontario Building Code. Several months later, the height of the Arch was increased by two feet after an over-height truck had become wedged under the Arch.
On or about February 15, 2017, an employee drove an elevated dump truck under the Arch, struck the beam of the Arch, which fell onto the cab of the truck, crushing the employee fatally. A subsequent Ministry of Labour investigation revealed that the Arch had been built contrary to Ministry of Transportation clearance and signage standards. The Greater Sudbury Police Services commenced a criminal investigation into the collapse and retained 30 Forensic Engineering to perform an independent engineering assessment of the collapse.
Mr. Naneff pled guilty on the agreed-on facts. The Discipline Committee found that Mr. Naneff committed acts of
professional misconduct, in the form of negligence and unprofessional conduct contrary to subsections 72(1) and 72(2) (a), (b), (d) and (j) of Regulation 941 of the Professional Engineers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.28. The parties submitted a Joint Submission as to Penalty and Costs. The Discipline Committee found that the proposed penalty was reasonable and in the public interest.
The Discipline Committee imposed the penalty as jointly submitted: a reprimand recorded permanently on the Register; the findings and order of the Discipline Committee published in summary form with reference to names; the Member’s licence shall be suspended for a period of five (5) months, commencing on the date of pronouncement of the Discipline Committee’s decision on penalty; a fine in the amount of $5,000 to be paid within ninety (90) days after the pronouncement of the Discipline Committee’s decision on penalty; and the Member shall pay costs to PEO in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), within ninety (90) days after the pronouncement of the Discipline Committee’s decision on penalty.
Summary of Decision and Reasons
In the matter of a complaint regarding the conduct of GEORGE W. KARUGU, P.ENG., a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, and KARUGU CONSULTING INC., a holder of a Certificate of Authorization.
June 3, 2024
The Discipline Committee considered allegations of professional misconduct referred to it in respect of the conduct of Mr. George W. Karugu, P.Eng., and Karugu Consulting Inc. (“KCI”), a former holder of a Certificate of Authorization from the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. Mr. Karugu was responsible for the engineering services provided under the Certificate of Authorization.
The parties filed an Agreed Statement of Facts. The Complainant engaged KCI and Mr. Karugu under two separate instruments to provide services in connection with his applications for approvals and permits required for the construction of the “Project” and the “Property.” The Respondents failed to attend a hearing before the City of Burlington’s Committee of Adjustment; prepared, signed and sealed drawings for the Project that did not comply with the applicable Burlington zoning bylaw; failed to meet agreedupon progress deadlines for the Project; and Mr. Karugu became unresponsive to communications relating to work on the Project.
The Association attempted to contact Mr. Karugu and KCI numerous times with no substantive response. As a result of the failure of Mr. Karugu and KCI to respond or co-operate with the Association in its investigation, the Association has been unable to assess whether the complaint against them involves other professional misconduct and whether to take further appropriate action in the public interest in response to that complaint. Mr. Karugu and KCI pled guilty on the agreed-on facts. The Discipline Committee conducted a plea inquiry and was satisfied that the Respondents’ admissions were voluntary, informed and unequivocal. The Discipline
Committee found that Mr. Karugu and KCI committed acts of professional misconduct contrary to subsections 72(2)(j) of Regulation 941 under the Professional Engineers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P28. The parties submitted a Joint Submission as to Penalty and Costs. The Discipline Committee found that the proposed penalty was reasonable and in the public interest.
The Discipline Committee imposed the penalty as jointly submitted: the findings and order of the Discipline Committee published in summary form with reference to names; a fine in the amount of $1,000 to be paid to the Minister of Finance for payment into the Consolidate Revenue Fund within ninety (90) days of the pronouncement of the decision of the Discipline Committee; if, as and when Mr. Karugu’s licence is reinstated he shall a) be required to pay a fine in the amount of $1,000 to the Minister of Finance for payment into the Consolidated Revenue fund within thirty (30) days of reinstatement, and b) there shall be a term, condition or restriction on his licence prohibiting him from practising professional engineering except under the direct supervision of another professional engineer who shall take responsibility for the work; and the imposition of the penalties set out above shall be postponed until the reinstatement, if any, of Karugu’s licence, at which time the penalties shall be automatically imposed.
DECISIONS AND REASONS
Summary of Decision and Reasons
complaint regarding the conduct of PHILIP FRANK BRUCE TUCKER, P.ENG., a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, and TUCKER, PHILIP FRANK BRUCE O/A DESIGNFAB, a holder of a Certificate of Authorization.
In the matter of a hearing under the Professional Engineers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.28, and in the matter of a complaint regarding the conduct of HOUSTON T. ENGIO, P.ENG., a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, and HOUSTON ENGINEERING & DRAFTING INC., a holder of a Certificate of Authorization.
June 4, 2024
The Discipline Committee considered allegations of professional misconduct referred to it in respect of the conduct of Mr. Philip Frank Bruce Tucker, P.Eng., and Tucker, Philip Frank Bruce operating as Designfab, a former holder of a Certificate of Authorization from the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. Mr. Tucker was responsible for the engineering services provided under the Certificate of Authorization.
The parties filed an Agreed Statement of Facts. The Complainant, Jocelyn Roi-Pattison, was the Chief Building Official of the Township of Tiny and had primary responsibility for the review of the building permit applications that were filed with the Township. Between May 2020 and June 2022, Mr. Tucker and Designfab prepared three sets of drawing designs in support of permit applications that were filed with the Township for the development or redevelopment of three residential properties. On review, Roi-Pattision refused to issue the permits requested by the property owners based upon the designs lacking a lot of important information.
PEO retained an independent expert to review the work done by Tucker and Designfab that found the designs failed to include details required to meet applicable standards of completeness governing the design of residential structures. The errors, omissions and deficiencies in the designs failed to meet standards and codes applicable to all three projects; that they would not be expected of a reasonable and prudent practitioner in the circumstances; and that they had an actual or potential public safety impact.
Mr. Tucker and Designfab pled guilty on the agreed-on facts. The Discipline Committee found that Mr. Tucker and Designfab committed acts of professional misconduct contrary to section 72(2)(a), (b), (d), (h) and (i) of Regulation 941 of the Professional Engineers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.28. A Joint Submission on Penalty was agreed to in this matter.
The Discipline Committee imposed the penalty as jointly submitted: Mr. Tucker and Designfab shall be reprimanded, and the fact of the reprimand shall be recorded on the Register for an unlimited period of time; the finding and order of the Discipline Committee shall be published in summary form with reference to names; Mr. Tucker shall pay a fine in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) within thirty (30) days of the decision of the Discipline Committee; and there shall be no order with respect to costs.
Summary of Decision and Reasons
In the matter of a complaint regarding the conduct of PETER ODOR, P.ENG., a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario.
July 23, 2024
The Discipline Committee considered allegations of professional misconduct referred to it in respect of the conduct of Mr. Peter Odor, P.Eng., a professional engineer licensed pursuant to the Act.
PRELIMINARY ISSUE—NON-ATTENDANCE OF THE MEMBER
Counsel for PEO advised that it was their understanding that Odor would attend the hearing and that the matter would proceed by way of an Agreed Statement of Fact and Joint Submission as to Penalty. However, the night prior to the hearing Mr. Odor sent an email stating he will not be present, and a copy of the email was provided to the Panel. Counsel for PEO submitted that notwithstanding the non-attendance of the Member, the Panel ought to proceed with the matter using a modified procedure.
As Mr. Odor was not present to enter a plea and conduct a plea inquiry, Counsel indicated that the Panel ought to enter a plea of not guilty. PEO would then rely on the content of the Agreed Statement of Facts as evidence at the proceeding. Counsel submitted that the Panel may rely on that evidence in considering whether PEO had met its burden of proving that Odor committed professional misconduct as alleged. The Panel found it was appropriate to proceed based on the modified procedure and directed the hearing to proceed in the Member’s absence.
Though Mr. Odor did not attend the hearing, he had previously reached agreement on the fact with PEO and signed an Agreed Statement of Facts. Mr. Odor was retained to provide HVAC Testing and Air Balancing Reports by the General Contractor for the renovation of a commercial property. On two occasions, Mr. Odor attended the Project site and personally observed that some HVAC systems he was retained to test were not working; specifically, that a ceiling fan did not start when switched on and that an exhaust duct was not connected correctly to this washroom fan. Despite knowing this, Mr. Odor prepared and submitted to the General Contractor two TAB Reports, which purported to show that testing had been conducted on all required HVAC systems, that all systems were functioning, had been tested by Mr. Odor and had been found to meet the specifications required by the mechanical design team. To Mr. Odor’s knowledge, the test results appended to said TAB Reports to provide apparent support for these findings were made up and fabricated by him and were false and misleading to the readers. Both TAB Reports included a signature line identifying their author as “Peter Odor P.Eng.”
The Discipline Committee found that Mr. Odor committed acts of professional misconduct in the form of disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional conduct contrary to subsection 72(2)(j) of Regulation 941 of the Professional Engineers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.28. Counsel for the Association advised the Panel that PEO and the Member had reached agreement on a proposed penalty. Counsel provided the Panel with a copy of a Joint Submission as to Penalty and signed by the Member and by a lawyer for PEO on July 3, 2024. The Discipline Committee imposed the penalty as jointly submitted: a reprimand recorded permanently on the Register; the findings and order of the Discipline Committee published in summary form with reference to names; Mr. Odor’s licence shall be suspended for five (5) months, commencing on the date of pronouncement of the decision of the Discipline Committee; there shall be a term, condition and restriction on Mr. Odor’s licence requiring him to successfully complete the National Professional Practice Examination, no later than fourteen (14) months after the date that the Discipline Committee pronounces its decision; a restriction shall be imposed upon Mr. Odor’s licence prohibiting him from practising professional engineering except under the direct supervision of another professional engineer who shall take professional responsibility for Mr. Odor’s professional engineering work by affixing their signature and seal on every final drawing, report or other document prepared by Mr. Odor, which restriction shall be suspended for fourteen (14) months from the date the Discipline Committee pronounces its decision. If Mr. Odor successfully completes the Examinations at any time before or after the 14-month period referred to above, this restriction shall be suspended indefinitely.
BY ADAM SIDSWORTH
SUPPORTING The Role of Accreditation in Engineering Schools
I ACADEMIC SUCCESS:
Canada’s engineering regulators all have an academic requirement for licensure—typically an undergraduate degree from an engineering program accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. Here, we explore the engineering accreditation process and how it helps schools provide a valuable engineering education.
n a July 2024 news release, Sheridan College, located in the western suburbs of Toronto, ON, proudly announced that its honours bachelor of electrical engineering program had received accreditation by Engineers Canada’s Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB), meaning its graduates automatically meet the academic requirements for licensure with PEO and the 11 other provincial and territorial engineering regulators. Sheridan’s first cohort of graduates from the program—who received their degrees in June—is recognized as graduating from a CEAB-accredited program.
First launched in 2020, Sheridan’s program is the first electrical engineering degree solely offered by an Ontario college to receive accreditation by the CEAB. Among other features, the program allows for cross-course, projectbased, problem-solving learning opportunities for students, who spend half
of their learning time in labs; and offers mandatory fourmonth internships, with an optional eight- to 16-month work placement for “hands-on experience working with the latest technology and equipment.”
ACCREDITED COLLEGE PROGRAMS
Sheridan is not the first Ontario college to offer CEABaccredited undergraduate degrees in engineering—that distinction goes to Conestoga College, which got its first engineering program accredited in 2010 and now offers four accredited programs. Meeting the accreditation requirements laid out by the CEAB means that these
programs match the same curriculum benchmarks and academic requirements for licensure as engineering programs offered by larger universities, many of which have had their programs accredited for decades.
Indeed, Elizabeth Fabbroni, PhD, dean of Sheridan College’s faculty of applied science and technology, says that from the perspective of theory covered within the curriculum, Sheridan’s electrical engineering program has much more in common with larger universities’ electrical engineering programs than technology programs traditionally offered by colleges while maintaining the applied learning approaches in laboratories that differentiate the college learning experience. “At the college level, professors teach all of your classes,” Fabbroni says. “Our learning experience is a bit unique in that students work directly with faculty members in all their classes.”
Hooman Nabovati, PhD, P.Eng., professor of electrical engineering at Sheridan College, says that for most courses, students go to a three-hour lecture and a two-hour lab every week to reinforce their learning, with labs capped at 24 students and lectures capped at 48 students. This is particularly ideal when helping students with their term and capstone projects. “When they work on an open-ended project in teams, they are considering all the engineering aspects as well as sustainability, project management and teamwork, engineering ethics, [equity, diversity and inclusion] and lifelong learning,” Nabovati says. “As a professor, I have more opportunity to work with students directly and provide them with individualized feedback in smaller classes. Our teaching methods are student centred.”
Nabovati, who was on the team that led Sheridan’s accreditation process, notes that accreditation was a multi-year collaborative process, with Engineers Canada providing ample feedback. For a new program, an accreditation visit may be undertaken in the final year of the first graduating class, and accreditation is granted only after students have graduated. Sheridan was committed to the detailed process. “The accreditation process starts before the first cohort of students get enrolled because there are levels of program design and development that should be considered,” observes Nabovati. “Engineers Canada and the CEAB were really supportive. They offer informal visits, or curriculum assessments, [and we took advantage of the curriculum assessment process]. We submitted documentation, and they reviewed and came up with comments for the program. That was a great opportunity for us to gain and tweak the program. And then the final step was the accreditation [visit], which we went through last February.”
Fabbroni was equally grateful for the CEAB’s thoroughness. “We want our graduates to be great engineers. [The CEAB review involved] people at every level at the school—administrators, teachers, students—and it was so assuring to see that level of introspection going into the process,” Fabbroni says, noting that although Sheridan’s electrical engineering program has been accredited
for one year—the maximum length is six years—the CEAB is providing an opportunity for an extension. “They gave us an assessment that indicates areas where we could improve and [where] they’d like to see us spend some time and attention on. That gives us the runway we need to work with them so that any potential concerns are addressed in a meaningful way.”
MEETING SPECIFIC CRITERIA
“Eligible Canadian undergraduate engineering programs are enthusiastically encouraged to request accreditation,” says Jeff Pieper, PhD, P.Eng. (Alberta), FEC, 2024–2025 chair of the CEAB, of the voluntary process. Pieper, who is also a professor in the mechanical and manufacturing engineering department at the University of Calgary, notes that graduation from a CEAB-accredited program is optional for people planning to apply for a licence to practise. “Students who graduate from non-CEAB-accredited programs can become professional engineers; it’s just that the regulators recognize graduates of CEAB-accredited programs as academically qualified without further technical or confirmatory examinations” (see sidebar).
Indeed, the CEAB has been accrediting undergraduate engineering programs since 1965. There are currently 307 accredited undergraduate engineering programs in a wide range of disciplines at 45 higher education institutions across Canada. “Accreditation does not involve ranking programs,” explains Engineers Canada. “All engineering programs meet the high standards of education required for licensing.”
“This year we’re doing 97 programs at 21 institutions across Canada,” says Pieper. “This year will be our biggest yet, and as we move forward, we will need to consider innovative options in providing the same standard of care in our decisions, along with efficiency of the decision-making process. At the same time, we have an obligation to the public and the profession to make these decisions appropriately.”
Under the CEAB’s accreditation criteria, a program must be able to show that its graduates have 12 specific attributes, including problem analysis, professionalism and communication skills. Additionally, the process includes the examination of the admission, promotion, graduation and academic advising of students; the curriculum content; and the overall learning environment in which the program is delivered, including its continual improvement initiatives. Importantly, though, the CEAB schedules an accreditation visit during the school year, when students are studying on campus. According to Pieper, this allows the CEAB to adequately assess the program in action and to provide feedback.
A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS
CEAB accreditation criteria are broad enough that an accredited program can individualize its classes, so long as they meet the CEAB’s criteria, with the CEAB encouraging open and ongoing communication with the programs seeking accreditation. “As programs are being designed, we encourage program officials to reach out to various communities of practice whose members can give them tips and directions,” says Elise Guest, Engineers Canada’s assistant manager, accreditation. “We can also do a curriculum assessment to advise on alignment with accreditation criteria and advise if the program is headed in the right direction. They can also arrange for an informal visit and receive even more feedback without impacting the final accreditation decision.”
The accreditation process takes approximately 24 months and is filled with ample opportunity for the institution and CEAB to ask questions of each other and communicate. Documentation is sent out to the institution months before an accreditation visit and includes a questionnaire to be answered by the institution; details regarding procedures to be followed before, during and after the visit; and a list of documentation required by the visiting team and the CEAB as part of the visit. “We ask for program materials, such as descriptions of the program’s environment, description of the courses students are taking, who’s teaching the courses, as well as the course content and their continuing improvement process,” explains Pieper.
Although the decision is made by the CEAB—which Pieper chairs—the report is based on the findings of the visiting team, which spends 60 hours visiting the school, typically over three consecutive days between October and February. The visiting team is typically made up of licensed engineers—both academic and non-academic—and those who assess the program specialize in the program’s field. However, the relationship between the visiting team chair and the program’s administration is typically developed over a six-month period. “The report goes to the institution about four to six weeks after the visit, and they’re given an opportunity to comment on the visiting team’s
observations,” notes Pieper. “They have a couple of weeks to respond and very often they do in very detailed fashion. Their response is considered in the decision-making process.” Once the CEAB makes a final decision, a letter is sent to the institution informing it of the CEAB’s decision.
A UNIQUE TRANSITION
Because all CEAB-accredited programs are evaluated with a consistent process, students can be assured that they will graduate with the necessary academic experience to become a licensed engineer, regardless of the size of the institution. It’s a lesson that isn’t lost on Janusz Kozinski, PhD, P.Eng., FCAE, FEC, FRSC, dean of engineering at Lakehead University. “With our 50th anniversary of accreditation this year, we really want to make sure people in Canada learn the uniqueness of our program, which has been a gold standard for the past 50 years,” says Kozinski.
Lakehead offers five accredited programs at its main campus in Thunder Bay, ON—four of them since 1974—and, more recently, an accredited program in electrical engineering at its Engineering Hub in Barrie, ON. Lakehead’s engineering programs are unique because engineering students graduate with both a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a technology diploma. (Only the bachelor’s degree is accredited by the CEAB.) Kozinski notes that when students begin their education at a threeyear engineering technology program offered at a college, they can apply to enter a Lakehead engineering program at the third-year level. “When college students finish their technology diploma in June, we offer them a college-touniversity transition in the summer,” Kozinski notes. “It gives us the opportunity to see who needs assistance in what area.” That summer transition is geared towards the program they are entering, whether it be chemical, electrical, software, civil or mechanical engineering.
According to Eddy Evans, strategy, external relations and communications for Lakehead’s faculty of engineering, the faculty’s unique arrangement rests in the school’s evolution from a technical institute in 1948, to a
Photos: Sheridan College
college of arts, science and technology in 1957 and to a university in 1962. “Lakehead has been doing this for many decades and is giving opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise exist, particularly for college students,” notes Evans. Indeed, Kozinski also cites Lakehead’s Pre-Eng program, where high school graduates without the proper prerequisites to enter an engineering program gain the necessary science knowledge before transferring to a Lakehead engineering program.
Ultimately, Lakehead is finding success by innovating within the accreditation model. “Accreditation is important because it creates a quality assurance,” Kozinski says. “It means we have to improve and look at ourselves in a way and reflect on how to provide the type of education that is going to make sure students are going to become eligible to be professional engineers.” e
EDUCATIONAL PATHS TO LICENSURE
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in engineering that is accredited by the CEAB means that graduates automatically meet PEO’s academic qualifications necessary for licensure as a professional engineer. Find out which programs are accredited by visiting engineerscanada.ca/ accreditation/accredited-programs/institution
Alternatively, applicants who have a bachelor’s degree listed on PEO’s Recognized Programs List can apply for licensure following completion of a technical exam program (see “Assessing Academics: Making the Case for a Recognized Programs List,” Engineering Dimensions, Fall 2023, p. 40).
Applicants who don’t have a CEAB-accredited bachelor’s degree are also encouraged to explore PEO’s limited licence (see “The Limited Licence: An Alternative Path to PEO Licensure,” Engineering Dimensions, Spring 2024, p. 24).
For more information on PEO’s licensing process, visit peo.on.ca/apply
Photo: Sheridan College
The Professional Engineers Act requires licence holders to complete PEO’s mandatory continuing professional development program, PEAK, each year. This includes a Practice Evaluation and Professional Practice Module, which are due on January 31 that year. If you are assigned CPD hours, you must complete the CPD Report by December 31 that year.
These program elements can be accessed in the PEAK section of your PEO portal account.
Please complete these requirements to avoid a possible PEO licence suspension.
Need help? Go to peopeak.ca or call 416-840-1117.
2025 PEO Council Elections Call for Candidates
All PEO members are invited to become candidates for the positions of president-elect, vice president, councillor-atlarge and regional councillor (one for each of PEO’s five regions) on PEO Council.
1. Any member may be nominated for election to Council as president-elect, vice president or councillor-at-large, by at least 15 other members. The nomination must include at least one member resident in each region.
[Regulation 941/90, s. 14(1)]
(a) The position of president-elect is for a one-year term, after which the incumbent will serve a one-year term as president and a one-year term as past president.
(b) The position of vice president is for a one-year term.
(c) The councillor-at-large position is for a two-year term. Two councillors-at-large are to be elected in 2025.
2. Any member residing in a region may be nominated for election to Council as a regional councillor for that
region by at least 15 other members who reside in the region. [Regulation 941/90, s. 14(2)]
(a) The position of regional councillor is for a two-year term.
A member nominated for election to Council must complete a nomination acceptance form in which they declare they are a Canadian citizen or have the status of a permanent resident of Canada and are a resident in Ontario [section 3(3) of the Professional Engineers Act and that they consent to the nomination [Regulation 941/90, s. 15]. Nomination petitions for collection of nominators’ signatures and nomination acceptance forms may be obtained from the PEO website at www.peo.on.ca or the Chief Elections Officer via email at elections@peo.on.ca, or by phone at 416-224-1100; 1-800-339-3716.
Completed nomination petitions and nomination acceptance forms are to be sent only electronically and only to the Chief Elections Officer at elections@peo.on.ca, by 10 a.m. Eastern Time, November 25, 2024. No personal delivery of forms will be accepted. For further information on becoming a candidate, please refer to the 2025 Council Elections Guide posted on PEO’s website.
2025 Nomination and Voting Procedures
The 2025 Voting and Election Publicity Procedures were approved by the Council of PEO on June 21, 2024.
The Election Publicity Procedures form part of these Nomination and Voting Procedures. Candidates and prospective candidates are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these procedures. Failure to follow these rules or procedures could result in a nomination being considered invalid.
Council is required to appoint an independent Chief Elections Officer to “oversee the nomination of Members for election to the Council and the election of and voting for members to the Council” per 11.1 of Regulation 941 made under the Professional Engineers Act. The Chief Elections Officer ensures that nominations, the election and voting are conducted in accordance with the procedures established by Council.
Candidates and prospective candidates are urged to submit nominations and election material well in advance of published deadlines so that any irregularities may be corrected before the established deadlines. Nominees’ names are made available on PEO’s website as received; all other election material is considered confidential until published by PEO.
1. The schedule for the elections to the 2025–2026 Council is as follows:
Date nominations open Monday, October 21, 2024
Date nominations close 10 a.m., Monday, November 25, 2024
Date PEO’s membership roster will be closed for the purposes of members eligible to automatically receive election material2 Friday, January 17, 2025
Date a list of candidates and voting instructions will be sent to members no later than Monday, January 27, 2025
Date voting will commence on the date that the voting packages are sent to members, no later than Monday, January 27, 2025
Date voting closes 10 a.m., Monday, February 24, 2025
All times noted in these procedures are Eastern Time.
1 A “prospective candidate” is someone seeking nomination and a “candidate” is someone whose nomination has been validated.
2 Licence holders licensed after this date may call in and request that election information be provided via telephone or, upon prior written consent by the licence holder for use of their email address, via email.
2. Candidates’ names will be listed in alphabetical sequence by position on the list of candidates sent to members and on PEO’s website. However, the order of their names will be randomized when voters sign in to the voting site to vote.
3. A person may be nominated for only one position.
4. A nomination, once withdrawn, may not be re-instated.
5. Nomination papers are to be submitted only by email (elections@peo.on.ca) for tracking purposes. Forms will not be accepted by any other format (e.g. personal delivery, courier, fax). If you have a need for accommodation because of a disability that limits your ability to access electronic communications tools, please contact us via email: elections@peo.on.ca or by telephone: 416-224-1100 or toll-free at 1-800-339-3716 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
6. Only nomination acceptance and nomination petition forms completed in all respects, without amendment in any way whatsoever, will be accepted. Please note that the Chief Elections Officer may validate nominations by contacting nominators.
7. Signatures on nomination forms may be hand-signed or electronic.
8. Signatures on nomination petition forms do not serve as confirmation that a member is formally endorsing a candidate or prospective candidate.
9. In the event a candidate or prospective candidate changes their mind on a position and decides to run for a different position after submitting nomination forms, a newly completed nomination petition form, in addition to a new nomination acceptance form, will be required to be submitted by the deadline for nominations.
10. Prospective candidates should allow sufficient time for their emails to go through the system to ensure that the completed papers are, in fact, received by the Chief Elections Officer by 10 a.m. on November 25, 2024. In the event of a dispute as to when the forms were sent vs received, a prospective candidate can provide the Chief Elections Officer with a copy of their email to PEO that would indicate the time the nomination forms were sent from their computer. Material must be received by the deadline unless there are exceptional circumstances that warrant an extension. The Chief Elections Officer should consider on a case-by-case basis whether undue hardship or exceptional circumstances exist and how they should be addressed.
Where the Chief Elections Officer has authority to exercise discretion in administering the election, including with respect to the nomination deadline, that discretion shall be exercised in a fair and reasonable manner, within the parameters of their statutory authority and Council-approved procedures, and with a view to maintaining electoral integrity.
11. A candidate must declare in the Nomination Acceptance Form that they will complete the PEO mandatory compliance training for volunteers if elected. This compliance training is free and online. This training helps ensure PEO compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Workplace Violence and Harassment requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It also minimizes the risk of interruption to Council’s work by ensuring those elected for office have completed the requisite training. Those who have already completed PEO’s mandatory compliance training for volunteers in previous roles will be considered to have completed the training and will not be required to do them again.
12. A candidate must have completed PEO’s “Board Basics” orientation by December 31, 2024. This orientation is free and online. Failure to complete this orientation will result in a notation on the candidates list sent to members and the PEO website indicating that the candidate has failed to comply with this requirement. The orientation must be completed by the deadline unless there are exceptional circumstances that warrant an extension. The Chief Elections Officer should consider on a case-by-case basis whether undue hardship or exceptional circumstances exist and how they should be addressed.
13. Council has appointed a Central Election and Search Committee to:
• Encourage members to seek nomination for election to the Council as President-Elect, Vice President or a Councillor-at-Large;
• Assist the Chief Elections Officer as may be required;
• Receive and respond to complaints regarding the procedures for nominating, electing and voting for members to the Council; and
• Conduct an annual review of the elections process and report to the June 2025 Council meeting.
14. Candidates will be advised when a member of the Central Election and Search Committee has declared a conflict of interest should an issue arise that requires the consideration of the committee.
15. Council has appointed a Regional Election and Search Committee for each region to encourage members residing in each region to seek nomination for election to the Council as a Regional Councillor.
16. Council has appointed an independent Chief Elections Officer to oversee the election process and to ensure that nomination, election and voting are conducted in accordance with the procedures approved by Council.
17. The Chief Elections Officer will be available to answer questions and complaints regarding the procedures for nominating, electing and voting for members to the Council. Any such complaints or matters that the Chief Elections Officer cannot resolve will be forwarded by the Chief Elections Officer to the
Central Election and Search Committee for final resolution. Staff is explicitly prohibited from handling and resolving complaints and questions, other than for administrative purposes (e.g. forwarding a received complaint or question to the Chief Elections Officer).
18. Voting will be by electronic means only (internet and telephone). Voting by electronic means will be open at the same time the electronic election packages are sent out.
19. An independent agency has been designated by Council to receive, control, process and report on all cast ballots. This “Official Elections Agent” will be identified to the members with the voting material.
20. If a candidate withdraws their nomination for election to PEO Council prior to the preparation of the voting site, the Chief Elections Officer shall not place the candidate’s name on the voting site of the Official Elections Agent or on the list of candidates sent to members and shall communicate to members that the candidate has withdrawn from the election. If the candidate withdraws from the election after the electronic voting site has been prepared, the Chief Elections Officer will instruct the Official Elections Agent to adjust the voting site to reflect the candidate’s withdrawal.
21. All voting instructions, a list of candidates and their election publicity material will be sent to members by the Official Elections Agent. All voters will be provided with detailed voting instructions on how to vote electronically. Control numbers or other access control systems will be sent to members by email after the election package has been sent out. The Official Elections Agent will send out an eblast with the control numbers (PINs) every Monday during the election period.
22. Election material sent to members electronically will contain information related to the All Candidates Meetings.
23. If the Official Elections Agent is notified that an elector has not received a complete election information package, the Official Elections Agent shall verify the identity of the elector and may either provide a complete duplicate election information package to the elector, which is to be marked “duplicate,” by email or provide the voter’s unique control number to the voter and offer assistance via telephone. In order to receive such information via email, the elector must provide prior written consent to the use of their email address for this purpose.
24. Elections staff shall respond to any requests for new packages as usual— i.e., if the member advises that they have moved and have not received a package, the member is to be directed to the appropriate section on the PEO website where the member may update their information with Document Management Centre (DMC).
25. DMC staff shall advise elections staff when the member information has been updated; only then shall the elections staff request the Official Elections Agent to issue a replacement package with the same control number.
26. Verification of eligibility, validity or entitlement of all votes received will be required by the Official Elections Agent. Verification by the Official Elections Agent will be by unique control number to be provided to voters with detailed instructions on how to vote by internet and by telephone.
27. Voters need not vote in each category to make the vote valid.
28. PEO will post total votes cast in the election on the PEO website on each Friday of the voting period and will post final vote totals by candidate after voting has closed. No other information related to vote totals will be made available.
29. The Official Elections Agent shall not disclose individual voter preferences.
30. The Official Elections Agent shall keep a running total of the electronic ballot count and shall report the unofficial results to the Chief Elections Officer.
31. The Chief Elections Officer shall proceed with a recount of the ballots for a given candidate category for election to Council (or bylaw confirmation) where the vote total on any candidate category for election to Council between the candidate receiving the highest number of votes cast and the candidate receiving the next highest number of votes cast is 25 votes or less for that candidate category (or where the votes cast between confirming the bylaw and rejecting the bylaw is 25 votes or less).
32. Certification of all data will be done by the Official Elections Agent.
33. On or before the close of nominations on November 25, 2024, the President will appoint three members or Councillors, who are not running in the election, as returning officers to:
• Approve the final count of ballots; and
• Make any investigation and inquiry as they consider necessary or desirable for the purpose of ensuring the integrity of the counting of the vote and report the results of the vote to the Registrar not later than three weeks following the date set by the Council for the receipt of the ballots.
34. Returning officers shall receive a per diem of $250, plus reasonable expenses to exercise the duties outlined above.
35. Reporting of the final vote counts, including ballots cast for candidates that may have withdrawn their candidacy after the opening of voting to PEO, will be done by the returning officers to the Registrar, who will advise the candidates and Council in writing at the earliest opportunity.
36. A request for a recount may be made by a candidate to the Chief Elections Officer within two days of the reporting of the election results to the Council and persons nominated for the election. Where the Chief Elections Officer determines, through a fair and impartial application of their discretion, that there is a reasonable and genuine possibility that the result of an election may be incorrect, or where the accuracy of an election is reasonably called into question, the Chief Elections Officer shall proceed with the recount.
37. Upon the direction of the Council following receipt of the election results, the Official Elections Agent will be instructed to remove the electronic voting sites from its records.
38. In the event a chapter holds an All Candidates Meeting, the chapter must invite to the meeting all candidates for whom voters in that region are eligible to vote.
39. Candidates for PEO Council may submit expense claims. The travel allowance to enable candidates to travel to chapter events during the period from the close of nominations to the close of voting will be based on the distance between chapters and the number of chapters in each region. Such travel expenses are reimbursed only in accordance with PEO’s expense policy.
40. These procedures may only be amended if approved by Council.
41. All questions from, and replies to, candidates are to be addressed to the Chief Elections Officer: By email: elections@peo.on.ca
2025 Election Publicity Procedures
Important dates to remember
Deadline for receipt of publicity materials for publication in Engineering Dimensions and on the PEO website, including URLs to candidates’ own websites 11:59 p.m., Sunday December 8, 2024
Deadline for submission of candidate material to eblast to members
Dates of eblasts to members
Dates of All Candidates Meetings
Note: All times indicated in these procedures are Eastern Time.
1. These Election Publicity Procedures form part of the Nomination and Voting Procedures. Candidates are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these procedures. Failure to follow these rules or procedures could result in a nomination being considered invalid.
2. Names of nominated candidates will be published on PEO’s website as soon as their nomination is verified.
3. Names of all nominated candidates will be forwarded to members of Council, chapter chairs and committee chairs and published on PEO’s website by Friday, November 29, 2024.
1. Monday, January 20, 2025—1st eblast
2. Thursday, January 30, 2025—2nd eblast
3. Thursday, February 13, 2025—3rd eblast
1. Thursday, January 30, 2025
2. Tuesday, February 6, 2025
3. Thursday, February 20, 2025
The week of January 13, 2025
4. Should a candidate wish to withdraw from the election, their name will remain on the website and the word “withdrawn” will appear beside their name on the PEO website.
5. Candidates will have complete control over the content of all their campaign material, subject to the procedures below, as well as to any applicable legal requirements. Candidate campaign material includes material for publication in Engineering Dimensions, additional material on PEO’s website and material on their own websites.
6. Candidate material is readily available to the public and should be in keeping with the dignity of the profession at all times. Material may be published with a disclaimer.
7. In order to be published by PEO, candidate material must comply with these procedures and with any applicable legal requirements. Prior to candidate material being published by PEO, the Chief Elections Officer must assess the material to determine whether it is compliant. Where the Chief Elections Officer determines candidate material does not comply, the amendment process set out in section 8 should be followed. Where the Chief Elections Officer is of the opinion that candidate material may present a legal risk to PEO, the Chief Elections Officer should seek legal advice from, or in consultation with, the Chief Legal Officer to assist in determining whether the material should be published. For example, if the Chief Elections Officer is concerned that a post may be libelous or in violation of PEO’s human rights obligations, the Chief Elections Officer should consult with the Chief Legal Officer. Depending on the issue, or to avoid any perception of conflict or bias, the Chief Legal Officer may retain external legal counsel on the Chief Election Officer’s behalf. The Chief Elections Officer should provide the candidate an opportunity to amend the materials as set out in section 8. Following the advice of legal counsel, the Chief Elections Officer has the authority to reject the campaign material if the candidate does not amend the non-compliant portion. The Chief Elections Officer should provide reasons to the candidate for the rejection of their material.
8. The Chief Elections Officer is responsible for ensuring that all candidate material (whether for Engineering Dimensions, PEO’s website or eblasts) complies with these procedures and any applicable legal requirements. Where it is deemed the material does not satisfy these procedures or any applicable legal requirements, the Chief Elections Officer will, within three full business days from receipt of the material by the Chief Elections Officer, notify the candidate, who is expected to be available during this period by telephone or email. The candidate will have a further two full business days to amend the material to bring it into compliance and advise the Chief Elections Officer of the amendment. Candidates are responsible for meeting this deadline. Should a candidate fail to re-submit material that is compliant within the two-business-day period, the candidate’s material will be published with a notation explaining any necessary amendments by staff or, following legal advice, the Chief Elections Officer may reject it. Where the Chief Elections Officer rejects material, they should provide reasons for the rejection to the candidate.
9. Candidate material may contain personal endorsements provided there is a clear disclaimer indicating that the endorsements are personal and do not reflect or represent the endorsement of PEO Council, a PEO chapter or committee or any organization with which an individual providing an endorsement is affiliated.
10. Candidate material for publication in Engineering Dimensions and any additional material they wish to publish on the web-
site must be forwarded to the Chief Elections Officer via email at elections@peo.on.ca no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, 2024, and must be in accordance with these procedures and Schedule A attached.
Material must be received by the deadline unless there are exceptional circumstances that warrant an extension. The Chief Elections Officer shall consider on a case-by-case basis whether undue hardship or exceptional circumstances exist and how they should be addressed.
Where the Chief Elections Officer has authority to exercise discretion in administering the election, including with respect to election publicity deadlines, that discretion shall be exercised in a fair and reasonable manner, within the parameters of their statutory authority and Council-approved procedures, and with a view to maintaining electoral integrity.
11. Candidates have the option of using one of two templates to present their election material in Engineering Dimensions. Both templates are included in Schedule A of these procedures. The size of both templates is the equivalent of one-half page, including border, in Engineering Dimensions
a. Option 1: Candidates using the blank template will have discretion over the presentation of their material, including but not limited to font style, size and effects. Candidates using the blank template will be permitted to include their portrait within the template.
b. Option 2: Candidates using the fillable template must provide responses to the questions provided in the allotted space. The presentation of the fillable template is fixed and no modifications will be permitted. Candidates using the fillable template must submit their portrait separately for insertion into the designated location by PEO staff.
12. Candidates shall not use the PEO logo in their election material.
13. Candidates may include links to PEO publications but not a URL link to a third party in their material on PEO’s website. Links to PEO publications are not considered to be a third party. For clarity, besides links to PEO publications, the only URL link that may be included in a candidate’s material on PEO’s website is a URL link to the candidate’s own website. URL links to other websites are not permitted.
14. Fundraising requests are not permitted in a candidate’s material.
15. If campaign material is submitted by a candidate without identifying information, PEO staff are authorized to contact the candidate and ask if they wish to resubmit material.
16. Candidate publicity material will be published as a separate insert in the Winter 2025 issue of Engineering Dimensions and to PEO’s website in January 2025. Links to candidate material on PEO’s website will be included in any electronic mailing to eligible voters.
17. Candidate material will be considered confidential by PEO staff and access to it will be restricted to only the staff members required to arrange for publication until published on PEO’s website. All candidates’ material will be published to PEO’s website at the same time. This procedure does not apply to candidates, who may publish their own candidate material prior to its publication by PEO and after.
18. Candidates may submit updates to their material on PEO’s website once during the posting period. Any amendments to a candidate’s name/designations are to be considered part of the one-time update permitted to their material during the posting period.
19. Candidates may post more comprehensive material on their own websites, which will be linked from PEO’s website during the posting period. Candidates may include active links to their social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) in material appearing in Engineering Dimensions, published on PEO’s election site (i.e. the 1000-word additional information candidates may submit) or included in an eblast of candidate material. Active links to social media accounts other than the candidate’s is not permitted.
20. PEO will provide three group email distributions to members of candidate publicity material beyond the material published in Engineering Dimensions. Material to be included in an eblast must be submitted to the Chief Elections Officer at elections@peo.on.ca in accordance with Schedule A. In the event of a dispute as to when the material was sent vs received, the material will be accepted only if a candidate can provide the Chief Elections Officer with a copy of their email to PEO sent from their computer indicating a sent time before the deadline.
21. All material for the eblast messages must be submitted in a Word or Word-compatible document only and must not be included as part of the message in the transmission email. Candidates should support their submission with a PDF or scan that shows what the final version of the message should look like. Where the email message is received in a font size or style that is different from the specifications, but otherwise meets all the requirements, the Chief Elections Officer may authorize staff to change only the size and font of the material so it conforms to specifications. Unless expressly authorized by the Chief Elections Officer to change font style and size, staff are prohibited from amending material in any way except with the written permission of the candidate.
22. Candidates are responsible for responding to replies or questions generated by their email message.
23. PEO will provide candidates the opportunity to participate in All Candidates Meetings, which will be held during the week of January 13, 2025. Candidates are encouraged to participate. The All Candidates Meetings will be video recorded for posting on PEO’s website. On the day of the first All Candidates Meeting, an eblast will be sent to members announcing that these video recordings will be posted on the PEO website within two business days.
24. Candidate materials from previous elections will remain on PEO’s database as part of the record of the election.
25. Caution is to be exercised in determining the content of issues of membership publications published during the voting period, including chapter newsletters. Editors are to ensure that no candidate is given additional publicity or opportunities to express viewpoints in issues of membership publications distributed during the voting period from January 27, 2025 until the close of voting on February 24, 2025, beyond their candidate material published in the Winter issue of Engineering Dimensions and on the PEO website. This includes photos (with or without captions), references to, or quotes or commentary by, candidates in articles, letters to the editor and opinion pieces. PEO’s communications vehicles should be, and should be seen to be, non-partisan. The above does not prevent a PEO publication from including photos of candidates taken during normal PEO activities (e.g. licensing ceremonies, school activities, GLP events, etc.) provided there is no expression of viewpoints. For greater clarity, no election-specific or election-related articles, including Letters to the Editor and President’s Message, are to be included in Engineering Dimensions during the voting period. Engineering Dimensions or other PEO publications may contain articles on why voting is important.
26. PEO’s statutorily mandated regulatory activities and the reasonable publicity of them must continue during an election. However, PEO’s resources (financial, human, communications, technological, etc.) must not be used to favour or prejudice any candidate. This rule does not apply to the use of the election travel allowance by candidates.
27. Chapters may not endorse candidates, or expressly not endorse candidates, in print, on their websites or through their list servers, or at their membership meetings or activities during the voting period. Where published material does not comply with these procedures, the Chief Elections Officer will cause the offending material to be removed if agreement cannot be reached with the chapter within the time available.
28. Candidates may attend chapter annual general meetings and network during the informal portion of the meeting. Candidates are permitted to attend chapter functions in their current official capacity but are prohibited from campaigning while operating in their official capacity.
29. The Central Election and Search Committee is authorized to interpret the voting and election publicity guidelines and procedures and to rule on candidates’ questions and concerns relating to them. Any such complaints or matters that the Chief Elections Officer cannot resolve will be forwarded to the Central Election and Search Committee for final resolution.
Schedule A: 2025 Election Publicity Procedures
Specifications for candidate materials
FORMAT FOR CANDIDATE STATEMENTS IN ENGINEERING DIMENSIONS
All submissions will be published with a border. If submissions are received without a border, one will be added as shown on the templates. If submissions do not fit within the chosen template, they will be mechanically reduced to fit.
Option 1: Blank template
Candidates using the blank template to present their material for publication in Engineering Dimensions must ensure the content fits in the bordered template provided at the end of the these specifications. The template dimensions are 6.531 inches wide and 4.125 inches in height.
All material for publication must be submitted as a PDF document, with images in place for reference, and in Word format only, showing where images are to be placed. No other formats will be accepted.
Portraits must also be submitted as specified in the next section.
The publications staff needs both a PDF file and Word file of candidate material so they will know how candidates intend their material to look. If there are no difficulties with the material, the PDF file will be used. The Word file is required in case something isn’t correct with the submission (just a bit off on measurement, for example), as it will enable publications staff to fix the problem, if possible. A hard and/or digital copy of a candidate’s portrait is required for the same reason and for use on the PEO election website.
Option 2: Fillable template
Candidates using the fillable template must provide responses to the questions provided in the allotted space. The completed template must be submitted as a PDF document.
Portraits must be submitted separately, as specified in the portraits section below, and will be added to the template by PEO staff.
The presentation of the fillable template is fixed and no modifications will be permitted.
The profile template will be available on PEO’s elections website, www.peovote.ca
A hard and/or digital copy of a candidate’s portrait is also required for use on the PEO elections website.
PORTRAITS/PHOTOGRAPHS
Photographs must be at least 5" x 7" in size if submitted in hard copy form so that they are suitable for scanning (“snapshots” or passport photographs are not suitable).
Only pictures taken in the last five years will be accepted.
If submitted in digital form, photographs must be JPEG-format files of at least 300 KB but no more than 2MB.
Candidates can submit a digital photo at the specifications noted, or hard copy as noted, and preferably both. In case the digital file is corrupted or not saved at a sufficiently high resolution, publications staff can rescan the photo (hard copy) to ensure it prints correctly, as indicated on the PDF.
PEO WEBSITE (CANDIDATES’ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
Candidates may publish additional information on PEO’s website by submitting a Word or Word-compatible file of no more than 1000 words, and no more than three nonanimated graphics in JPEG or GIF format. Graphics may not contain embedded material.
Candidates may post additional material on their own websites. URLs for candidates’ websites must be active by December 8, 2024.
Candidates may include links to PEO publications but not a URL link to a third party in their material that is to be posted on PEO’s website. Links to PEO publications are not considered to be to a third party. For clarity, the only URL link that may be included in a candidate’s material on PEO’s website, besides links to PEO publications, is the URL to the candidate’s own website. Candidates may include active links to their social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).
EBLAST MATERIAL
Candidates are permitted a maximum of 300 words for email messages. Messages are to be provided in 11 pt. Arial font; graphics are not permitted. For clarity, a “graphic” is an image that is either drawn or captured by a camera.
HELP
Candidates should contact the Chief Elections Officer (elections@peo.on.ca) if they have questions about requirements for publicity materials.
Option 1: Blank template
Option 2: Fillable template
Candidate statement: Name:
Employer and position:
Degree(s), school(s) attended, year(s) of graduation:
Employment history:
Participation on PEO Council, committee/task forces, chapters:
Other professional affiliations and community service:
Years of registration in Ontario:
Council Approves New Practice Standard for Tower Cranes
Decisions made by Council at its 565th meeting on September 27, 2024
By Nicole Axworthy
At its September meeting, Council approved the “Engineering Inspection Practice Standard for Tower Cranes as required by Ontario Regulation 213/91 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.” Council also directed staff to work with the Ministry of the Attorney General to draft amendments to O.Reg. 260/08 (Performance Standards) to reference this updated practice standard.
On January 1, 2024, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development amended O.Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to increase the scope and role of engineers in tower crane inspections. The amended regulation references O.Reg. 260/08 (Performance Standards) under the Professional Engineers Act (PEA), which in turn references PEO’s Tower Cranes Review Practice Standard that was approved by Council in November 2015.
PEO staff worked collaboratively with the ministry, engineers and the tower crane industry to update the practice standard to align with O.Reg. 213/91 and reflect common industry practices to enhance public safety. Amending O.Reg. 260/08 will make the revised practice standard effective.
HUMAN RIGHTS REVIEW
Council approved a motion directing staff to review whether PEO’s regulatory and non-regulatory measures adequately address human rights issues within its jurisdiction and to propose measures for improvement, where appropriate. This decision was made following a review of PEO’s Guideline on Human Rights in Professional Practice, which found potential gaps when it comes to managing human rights risks and indicated that further analysis of PEO’s regulatory tools is warranted to address human rights issues affecting the profession. The review aims to ensure human rights concerns are appropriately addressed by PEO and that PEO meets its commitments as articulated within PEO’s Anti-Racism and Equity (ARE) Code.
Next steps will be aimed at the ARE Code’s commitment to “clarifying language in regulations, rules, policies and procedures to articulate PEO’s commitments, expectations of the profession and consequences for non-compliance.” The analysis will include consultation with members of the profession, a more comprehensive review of what other regulators do and further analysis based on Council’s direction.
FITNESS TO PRACTICE
Council approved a motion directing the CEO/registrar to develop a formal fitness to practice (FTP) process to
address issues of incapacity, for consideration by the Regulatory Policy and Legislation Committee (RPLC) and Council. Fitness to practice issues relate to concerns about a licence holder’s ability to perform their professional duties competently and safely due to physical or mental health conditions.
Although FTP processes are standard across most regulated professions in Ontario, PEO presently addresses incapacity issues only through the discipline process. Under the PEA, a licence holder who has a physical or mental condition may be found “incompetent.” As such, PEO’s current regime is not designed to effectively address situations where an individual’s incapacity impairs their ability to meet professional obligations. The formal FTP process will be specifically designed to manage incapacity concerns by ensuring any regulatory actions are measured and equitable.
With Council’s approval, staff will develop a discussion paper for review by the RPLC in November 2024. PEO’s Strategic Stakeholder Advisory Group, licence holders and other key stakeholders will be consulted and invited to provide input and suggestions on this project.
COMMUNICATIONS AUDIT
At its September meeting, Council heard a presentation from Daniel Roukema of MDR Strategy Group, a regulatory consulting firm that recently audited PEO’s communication practices. The presentation reported on the audit’s findings, which included areas for improvement. The audit report included recommendations to:
• Clearly define PEO and its role;
• Implement standard communication structures, protocols and practices;
• Commit to greater openness and transparency; and
• Support PEO’s commitment to modernize.
The full communications audit report can be found on PEO’s website at www.peo.on.ca/sites/default/files/2024-09/CommunicationsAuditReport.pdf
TECHNOLOGY USE AND SECURITY POLICY
Council approved a revised information technology policy for Council and volunteers. Notable changes relate to technology asset use, email and internet and laptop/devices usage and cybersecurity. PEO staff reassured councillors that the intent of the policy is to safeguard PEO-issued devices and internet by asking that they be used primarily to conduct PEO business activities, and that the policy refers specifically to confidential data when it comes to data sharing. The policy revisions aim to support risk mitigation, reflect rapid changes in technology and are in alignment with IT best practices to ensure security of PEO’s critical technology infrastructure and sensitive data.
AGM THREE-YEAR PLAN
Council approved a three-year plan for PEO’s 2025, 2026 and 2027 annual general meetings (AGMs), including dates, locations and format. The meetings include:
• April 26, 2025, in Toronto;
• April 25, 2026, in Ottawa; and
• May 1, 2027, in a community in the Greater Toronto Area.
The approved plan aims to provide clarity as it relates to the planning and organizing of the annual event, including any additional same-day activities, and to avoid scheduling other PEO events on the AGM dates. The three AGMs will be held in a hybrid (in-person and online) format.
APPOINTMENT TO GNC
At its September meeting, Council approved the appointment of new Lieutenant Governor Appointee Rachel Prudhomme, P.Eng., to the Governance and Nominating Committee for the remainder of the 2024–2025 Council term.
COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Council approved a proposed 2025–2026 calendar of meetings and other events for Council, governance committees and the Regional Councillors Committee. The calendar takes into consideration factors such as operational effectiveness; the availability of PEO elections
information; prioritizing regular business hours for most meetings; the understanding that meetings may need to be rescheduled; and reasonable spacing between meetings, statutory holidays and proximity to long weekends.
DIRECTOR ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK
At its September meeting, Council reviewed and adopted the Director Accountability Framework and accompanying policies, including:
• The Councillor Code of Conduct;
• Conflict of Interest policy and procedure for PEO Council;
• The Anti-Workplace Violence, Harassment and Discrimination Policy;
• Election eligibility criteria; and
• Councillor disqualification conditions.
Council also directed staff to work with the Ministry of the Attorney General to prepare regulations: a) respecting and governing the qualification of members to be elected to Council; and b) prescribing the conditions disqualifying members of Council.
The Director Accountability Framework components constitute a good governance control practice common to other professional regulators. Prior to Council approval, it was subject to extensive review and development work, including consultation with Council, discussion at meetings of the Governance and Nominating Committee and Human Resources and Compensation Committee and the assistance of external legal counsel. It is expected that the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy will be reviewed again in two years, and per statutory requirement, the Anti-Workplace Violence, Harassment and Discrimination Policy will be subject to an annual review. e
Minutes of the 102nd Annual Business Meeting
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2024
PRESIDENT AND CHAIR: ROYDON FRASER, PhD, P.ENG., FEC
These minutes are prepared to align with PEO’s By-Law No. 1, Section 15(7): “The record of all Council and committee meetings shall include only enough detail to summarize discussions and record motions and decisions made as a result of those discussions.”
The 102nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) was held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in a hybrid setting with both in person and videoconference participation.
President Fraser called the meeting to order and welcomed PEO licence holders with a special welcome to the over 4000 new licensees joining PEO over the past year; engineering interns, students and employers; stakeholders; members of the public; colleagues in the engineering community; PEO staff; distinguished guests; and friends.
President Fraser then welcomed Ontario’s attorney general, The Honourable Doug Downey, to the podium to address the 2024 AGM.
In his message, Downey expressed his gratitude to all those attending the AGM and PEO for holding this year’s AGM in his home riding of Barrie-Springwater-Oro Medonte. Minister Downey thanked President Fraser for his service as PEO president over the past year and noted that he looks forward to working with President-elect Wowchuk in the coming year. Minister Downey also mentioned the late Roy McMurtry, LLB, former attorney general, who passed earlier this year, and remembered Minister McMurtry for his contributions to PEO.
He noted that the attorney general’s office is currently working on reviewing Ontario’s current Construction Act and invited PEO to be part of the discussion while the Ministry of the Attorney General is conducting its review of the current act.
On behalf of PEO and Council, President Fraser thanked Attorney General Downey for joining PEO’s AGM. He then welcomed special guests from Engineers Canada and its constituent associations as well as invited organizations in Ontario’s engineering community and allied professions.
President Fraser stated that PEO recognizes its work takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across the province and that this year’s AGM in Barrie is being held on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg people, which includes the Wendat, Odawa, Ojibwe and Pottawatomi Nations. He noted that reconciliation is about building a renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples and that there is a role for the engineering profession in this regard.
INTRODUCTION OF COUNCIL
President Fraser introduced the members of the 2023–2024 PEO Council: President Roydon Fraser, PhD, P.Eng., FEC; Past President Nick Colucci, BASc, MBA, P.Eng., FEC; President-elect Gregory P. Wowchuk, BASc, Dipl.El.Tech., P.Eng., FEC; Vice President (elected) Christopher Chahine, P.Eng., PMO, SSBBP; Vice President (appointed) and Councillor-at-Large Leila Notash, PhD, P.Eng., FEC; Councillors-at-Large Vajahat Banday, P.Eng., MSEE, MSCE, PE (Michigan), FEC, and Glen Schjerning, P.Eng.; Eastern Region Councillors Tim Kirkby, P.Eng., FEC, and Michelle Liu, MASc, P.Eng., JD, LEED-GA; East Central Region Councillors David Kiguel, P.Eng., FEC, and Nanda L. Lwin, BASc, MEPP, P.Eng., FEC; Northern Region Councillors Luc Roberge, P.Eng., FEC, and Dana Montgomery, P.Eng.; Western Region Councillors Vicki Hilborn, P.Eng., and Susan MacFarlane, MSc, PhD, P.Eng.; West Central Region Councillors Pappur Shankar, P.Eng., FEC, and Ravinder Singh Panesar, P.Eng., FEC; and Lieutenant Governor-in-Council Appointees Arjan Arenja, MBA, P.Eng., Lorne Cutler, MBA, P.Eng., Andy Dryland, C.E.T., Paul Mandel, MBA, CPA, CA, CBV, CFF, George Nikolov, P.Eng., Scott Schelske, P.Eng., FEC; Sherlock Sung, BASc; and Uditha Senaratne, P.Eng.
President Fraser thanked Council for all their hard work and service.
President Fraser also introduced PEO staff: Jennifer Quaglietta, CEO/registrar; Meg Feres, manager, Council operations; Chetan Mehta, director, finance; and Parliamentarian Justin Pappano.
IN MEMORIAM
President Fraser asked that all those present observe a moment of silence in remembrance of those PEO licence holders who passed away in 2023.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
President Fraser reviewed the order of business and housekeeping items. A test of the voting system was conducted.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
President Fraser referred licence holders to the minutes of the 2023 AGM. It was moved by Past President Nick Colucci and seconded by Councillor Vicki Hilborn that the minutes of the 2023 AGM, as published in the Fall 2023 issue of Engineering Dimensions and as distributed at the meeting, be adopted as presented.
Motion carried
FINANCIAL REPORT
President Fraser invited Councillor Tim Kirkby, chair of the 2023–2024 Audit and Finance Committee, to provide a report on PEO’s audited financial statements. Kirkby reviewed the financial information, noting that the 2023 audited financial statements were approved by Council at the April 2024 meeting. He stated that these statements are on the PEO AGM webpage and would be published in the May/June (Spring) issue of Engineering Dimensions
Kirkby presented a graph showing a five-year trend of revenues, expenses and net income. He noted that in 2022, with the relaxation of most COVID-19related restrictions, staff and volunteers were able to commence work on various initiatives and projects that had been either delayed or deferred during the pandemic. Due to this, there was an increase in expenses resulting in a lower surplus of $2.1 million compared to a $6.5 million surplus in 2021.
In 2023, PEO had higher revenues due to monies from our investments, the insurance affinity program with Engineers Canada and from membership, applications, registration and exam revenues. With restrictions related to the pandemic having been largely removed in 2023, work was started on several new initiatives and projects resulting in an increase in operating expenses and spend on various strategic plan projects. In 2023, PEO reported a surplus of $4.3 million in 2023 in comparison to a surplus of $2.1 million in 2022.
A slide was presented showing the key financial highlights as of December 31, 2023:
• Revenues of $32.6 million (vs $32.7 million in 2022);
• Expenses of $33.3 million (vs $30.6 million in 2022);
• A surplus or net excess of revenues over expenses of $4.3 million (vs $2.1 million in 2022);
• $38.1 million in cash and marketable securities (vs $34.7 million in 2022); and
• The lowest P.Eng. fees in Canada.
Kirkby stated that PEO’s finances are healthy and are expected to remain so for the foreseeable future.
There were no questions brought up at this time.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
A question was asked to PEO’s director, finance about Deloitte LLP’s current contract with PEO, which will expire in 2026.
It was moved by Councillor Tim Kirkby and seconded by Councillor Lorne Cutler that the firm of Deloitte LLP, chartered accountants, be appointed as PEO’s auditors for the association for the 2023 fiscal year or until their successor is appointed.
Motion carried
CEO/REGISTRAR’S REPORT
CEO/Registrar Quaglietta extended a warm welcome to everyone attending both virtually and in person. She opened her speech by acknowledging the hard work of the entire 2023–2024 Council and its commitment to the engineering profession and the public interest and thanking President Fraser on their collaboration over the past year in the evolution of PEO as a regulator.
Quaglietta provided an update on the introduction of the annual Operational Plan as part of the 2023–25 Strategic Plan approved by Council. The Operational Plan has four main goals: improving PEO’s licensing processes without compromising public safety, optimizing PEO’s organizational performance, implementing a continuous governance improvement program and refreshing PEO’s vision to ensure all stakeholders see value and relevance in PEO.
Quaglietta reported that in 2023 PEO successfully completed all 23 deliverables laid out for the year and encouraged the membership to review PEO’s progress by reading the CEO/Registrar’s Reports on the PEO website.
Governance Scorecard
Quaglietta also presented the introduction of the Governance Scorecard, which tracks 12 quantitative indicators aligned with PEO’s core functions of regulatory operations, policy, finance and strategy and organizational culture. The first scorecard was included in the CEO/Registrar’s Report to Council in February 2024 and reported on PEO’s achievements throughout 2023. Moving forward, the Governance Scorecard will be a regular feature of the CEO/Registrar’s Report at Council meetings.
Strategic Stakeholder Advisory Group
Quaglietta mentioned the introduction of the Councilapproved Strategic Stakeholder Advisory Group in November 2023. The advisory group replaces a number of other advisory and engagement forums and will promote consideration of diverse, expert perspectives on many issues and initiatives. The advisory group will begin work in the coming weeks.
Changes to FARPACTA
Quaglietta noted that as of May 15, 2023, PEO introduced a modified process to comply with recent amendments to the provincial Fair Access to Regulated Professions and Compulsory Trades Act, or FARPACTA. All professional regulators must meet certain FARPACTA performance requirements. Notably, PEO is required to make a licensing decision for 90 per cent of internationally trained applicants within 180 days. PEO can no longer specify Canadian professional experience as a licensing requirement. PEO’s regulations were amended in 2023 to formally remove the Canadian experience requirement.
In 2023, PEO issued almost 4400 licences under both legacy and FARPACTA-compliant processes. PEO still has a sizable inventory of applications under the legacy requirement, although this number has decreased from approximately 34,000 in July to under 28,000 with a strategy to reduce the inventory by identifying approximately 3000 legacy applicants who could immediately benefit from the new licensing approach.
Quaglietta further noted that with the oversight of Council, the Regulatory Policy and Legislation Committee (RPLC) throughout last year worked to develop a streamlined FARPACTA-compliant licensing process that emulates PEO’s existing standards and allows PEO to more quickly assess candidates’ suitability to practise in Ontario while maintaining the educational component for PEO’s licensing requirements. PEO will continuously and actively explore viable solutions to help recent graduates navigate their experience requirements for licensure as the new model will meet a key pillar of the 2023–2025 Strategic Plan, which aims to improve the licensing process without compromising public safety.
PEAK
Quaglietta noted the current status of PEO’s mandatory continuing professional development program (CPD), administered through the Practice Evaluation and Knowledge (PEAK) program, which became mandatory for most licence holders on January 1, 2023.
PEAK consist of two online elements—the Professional Evaluation and the Professional Practice Module due every January 31—and a third element, the Continuing Professional Development Report, which is required of all practising licence holders and due by December 31 of every calendar year.
Quaglietta noted that in 2023 PEO’s focus was on education to promote compliance with the PEAK obligation and reported that even without immediate threat of sanctions, more than three-quarters of licence holders fulfilled their PEAK obligations in 2023, and PEO expects an even higher rate of compliance in 2024.
Quaglietta also noted that in response to feedback and based on a risk assessment, Council has exempted licence holders on fee remission, most of whom are retired, from PEAK. Additionally, PEO has expanded the criteria for eligible CPD hours to include both core engineering learning and supplemental learning. PEO will continue to refine and improve the PEAK program to make it as meaningful and accessible as possible to licence holders.
Customer Service
Quaglietta also gave an update on the introduction of PEO’s dedicated first-level customer service team. In 2023, PEO responded to over 18,000 inquiries.
Chapter Engagement
Quaglietta mentioned that PEO’s new Chapter Events Engagement Model will ensure each of the province’s five regions will receive at least two visits per year, and each chapter will receive a visit at least once every three years. PEO’s initial chapter visits have been received very favourably by licence holders.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at PEO
Quaglietta stated that PEO’s EDI activities are informed by its Anti-Racism and Equity Code, which was endorsed by Council in April 2022. The code’s eight principles define PEO’s obligations as a regulator, service provider, employer and organization. PEO is continuing to operationalize the work suggested by the code, including with respect to the participation of women and Indigenous communities in the engineering profession.
PEO’s Digital Transformation
Quaglietta mentioned that throughout 2023, PEO continued its digital transformation journey as part of PEO’s evolution as a modern regulator. PEO has focused on cybersecurity and compliance to protect PEO’s systems and date. Additionally, licence holders will see the benefits of PEO’s digital improvements firsthand.
Quaglietta also noted that in the summer of 2023, PEO introduced the digital licence for newly issued P.Engs, temporary and limited licences and limited technologists. PEO issued its 3000th digital licence last February and are working towards expanding the available digital options to existing licence holders, certificate of authorization holders and consulting engineers.
New Guidelines
Quaglietta noted that PEO’s Knowledge Centre contains a wide range of resources available to our licence holders and the public. These include PEO’s standards, to which all licence holders must adhere; guidelines, which are voluntary and make up the bulk of PEO’s published advice; and bulletins, which provide professional advice on urgent matters and are often a precursor to new guidelines.
Licence holders can also engage with practice advisory services, where they can speak with a PEO staff member to better understand available resources. As PEO revises more of its older guidelines, Quaglietta encouraged licence holders and any other interested party to register for a PEO subscription at the Knowledge Centre webpage.
Closing Statements
Quaglietta recognized that the AGM is being held during National Volunteer Week and acknowledged PEO’s 925 volunteers, thanking them for their continued service to the regulator. A thank-you video was presented, emphasizing the dedication and efforts volunteers have contributed to PEO over the years.
PRESIDENT FRASER’ S OUTGOING REPORT
President Fraser began by sharing his thoughts on the business conducted by Council over the 2023–2024 term. President Fraser thanked the CEO/registrar for tackling a challenging operational year with positivity and dedication and expressed his gratitude to the current Council, chapters and committee volunteers for their hard work this past year.
President Fraser highlighted that the engineering profession is currently at a crossroads and that it will be important for PEO to adapt to the rapidly changing profession while ensuring the profession is acting in the best interest of the public, to safeguard public health, safety and the environment.
Reflecting on the past, President Fraser presented the history of the engineering profession and the need to regulate the profession because of advancements in industry, public safety and the industrial revolutions stemming from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. Fraser mentioned that the evolution of technology, including the advent of artificial intelligence, represents both opportunities and threats to the public; and society can either be proactive and agile in safely accommodating or become reactionary once threats become realized.
President Fraser noted that 92 per cent of current PEO applicants are confined to just 10 traditional and closely related engineering disciplines while only 8 per cent belong to the 22 other engineering disciplines identified by PEO and that today’s engineering spans a wide range of disciplines, and new engineering disciplines will continue to emerge.
President Fraser then shared the current progress of PEO’s visioning statement process and the high interest expressed by members in refreshing PEO’s vision to ensure all stakeholders see relevance and value in PEO. By fall of 2023, 99 PEO volunteers participated in 10 Vision Advisory Groups.
President Fraser reminded members that a good vision statement is goal oriented, audacious, inspiring and widely accepted by an array of stakeholders and guides an organization to achieve its mission. He invited attendees to read his President’s Message in the recent Engineering Dimensions for more details on the vision process and encouraged in-person attendees to join the vision statement interactive exercise later in the day.
President Fraser concluded his report by reminding members that the professional engineer designation represents the highest standards of engineering knowledge, experience and professionalism in the country. Being licensed demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding the public and to engineering excellence; it also demonstrates that the licence holder has the right skills, education and attitude with proven problem-solving abilities.
President Fraser encouraged the incoming councillors to focus on issues facing PEO, such as the value and relevancy of the P.Eng. designation, adaptation to globalization, increasing whistleblowing protections and improving the licensing and admissions process. He then recognized that councillors, PEO volunteers and staff members have always had the best interest of PEO at heart, encouraged further collaboration for greater relevancy and a greater ability to safeguard the public interest.
QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL
Licence holders were invited to submit written questions. President Fraser, the CEO/registrar or the director, finance responded to several questions related to topics such as application wait times and processes, how to get new engineering graduates to apply for licensure, the EIT rebate program, the current visioning exercise ongoing at PEO and how PEO’s financial surplus is being used. It was noted that the responses to these questions and others not addressed during this meeting due to time constraints will be posted on the AGM page of PEO’s website.
SUBMISSION #1—DO NO HARM TO HUMANS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION
A pre-recorded message from the mover, Prakash Bansod, P.Eng., was played. He stated that PEO’s current Code of Ethics is either vague or uncommitted to public health, waste management, protection of the environment and the role of its engineers in the research, design, sales and distribution of weapon systems specifically directed at killing human beings, and malevolent cyber technology. The proposed changes to the Code of Ethics will remove any ambiguity in terms of the above-mentioned issues.
The AGM floor was open to questions and comments. The mover responded to several questions related to topics such as how the motion can be applied effectively, how the motion could be enforced, alternative ways on addressing the purpose of the motion and future outcomes if this motion is carried by the membership.
The president called for a vote on the motion.
Moved by Prakash Bansod, P.Eng., and seconded by Zeljko Sikic, P.Eng. Be it resolved:
That the newly elected Council strike a committee of registered PEO engineers to study the proposed changes to the Code of Ethics of the PEO about the proposed “Do no harm to humans and the human condition” clause as described in the preamble. This committee should report back within nine months. The Code of Ethics Committee should consist of at least 41 per cent (50 per cent is equity, 40 per cent is aspirational, and 41 per cent is a step in the right direction!) of professional women engineers. This committee should consider the following:
1) The justification for the required changes to the Code of Ethics in terms of current concerns of the defence-related industries and global conflict, global warming, mounting waste management issues, blatant local and international threats to information technology infrastructure, and malevolent or irresponsible use of AI.
2) Communicate with membership/practising engineers regarding the proposed changes to the Code of Ethics. This could be achieved by posting surveys on the PEO website. As an incentive, accept two hours of professional development towards the member’s annual professional development requirements for a completed survey.
3) Seek legal advice on the ramifications of enforcing the proposed Code of Ethics bylaw.
Motion defeated
PRESENTATION TO OUTGOING COUNCILLORS
President Fraser congratulated retiring licence holders of the 2023–2024 Council who had worked diligently to move the profession forward and expressed his personal appreciation to all for their collaboration, support and encouragement throughout the 2023–2024 term. He stated that it has been a pleasure serving as president and chair.
President Fraser advised that the outgoing councillors had received a token of appreciation in recognition of their service to the profession. He thanked and recognized the following outgoing members of Council: Arjan Arenja, lieutenant governor-in-council appointee; Vajahat Banday, councillor-at-large; Christopher Chahine, vice president; Nick Colucci, past president; David Kiguel, East Central Region councillor; Tim Kirkby, Eastern Region councillor; and Dana Montgomery, Northern Region councillor.
INSTALLATION OF NEW PRESIDENT
Gregory P. Wowchuk took the oath of office as the 105th president for the 2024–2025 term. Past President Fraser presented him with the chain of office.
PRESENTATION TO PAST PRESIDENT FRASER
President Wowchuk, on behalf of Council, thanked Past President Fraser and expressed sincere appreciation for all his work and efforts to both PEO and the profession. President Wowchuk recognized Past President Fraser’s 30+ years serving on Council, chapters and on numerous PEO committees. He
presented Past President Fraser with tokens of appreciation, including an amethyst inukshuk, a framed copper embossed art card, a certificate of appreciation, a Past President’s lapel pin, PEO’s outgoing President’s Award and a Lifetime PEO Membership Certificate.
CLOSING REMARKS BY PRESIDENT GREGORY P. WOWCHUK
President Wowchuk welcomed all members who are participating in the AGM and thanked Council and staff on working very hard to hold the event in a hybrid format, including the first opportunity for in-person attendance since 2019. President Wowchuk invited all members to participate in a dialogue session in the afternoon so members can have direct access to councillors and peers.
President Wowchuk thanked Past President Fraser on his unwavering commitment to PEO and the personal friendship and his service over the past three decades at PEO. He also recognized the hard work and dedication of the many unpaid volunteers who contribute to PEO’s success.
President Wowchuk commented that there needs to be more member participation in PEO’s electoral process as about 11 per cent of PEO members participate in annual elections, and there must be further re-engagement with the approximately 90,000 PEO members. He also emphasized PEO’s commitment to equality and diversity and that the profession is a “big tent” where all qualified practitioners are welcome and no one is entitled to special treatment or access.
President Wowchuk mentioned that he believes the membership should re-focus efforts on the core functions of professional regulation: licencing, enforcement and discipline.
Reflecting on the ever-changing world, President Wowchuk noted that technology is creating new disciplines and organizations like PEO must become more nimble and less bureaucratic, noting that this can only be achieved when engineers are front and centre in the process.
President Wowchuk noted that he is looking forward to a productive year as PEO’s 105th president with Council’s time and energy focused on governing the fundamentals of professional regulation. He also mentioned that he is looking forward to working with the incoming Council and chapter members, noting that the whole country benefits when Ontario has a vibrant and visionary engineering profession.
INTRODUCTION OF INCOMING MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
President Wowchuk introduced the 2024–2025 members of Council:
President Gregory P. Wowchuk; Past President Roydon Fraser; President-elect Fred Saghezchi, P.Eng.; Vice President Guy Boone, P.Eng.; Councillors-at-Large Glen Schjerning, Leila Notash and Randy Walker, P.Eng., FEC; Eastern Region Councillors Michelle Liu and Chantal Chiddle, P.Eng., FEC; East Central Region Councillors Nanda Lwin and Shahandeh Hannah Ehtemam, P.Eng., PMP; Northern Region Councillors Luc Roberge and Ahmed Elshaer, PhD, P.Eng.; Western Region Councillors Susan MacFarlane and Vicki Hilborn; West Central Region Councillors Ravinder Singh Panesar and Pappur Shankar; and Lieutenant Governor-in-Council Appointees Lorne Cutler, Andy Dryland, Paul Mandel, George Nikolov, Scott Schelske, Sherlock Sung and Uditha Senaratne.
CONCLUSION
President Wowchuk then declared the 102nd AGM of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario concluded and reminded in-person attendees to take note of the information on the screen outlining the events scheduled for the rest of the day.
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