The Engineer, Volume 37, No. 4, Winter 2024

The Engineer

VOLUME 37, NO. 4 WINTER 2024

Nova Scotia’s source for engineering news

EXPLORING NEW FRONTIERS

Artificial Intelligence VS Agentic AI

Chignecto Isthmus: Pushing back against the tide

Annual Award Winners

1

Photo: iStock

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Table of Contents

The Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia

The Engineer

VOLUME 37, NO. 4 WINTER 2024

Nova Scotia’s source for engineering news

EXPLORING NEW FRONTIERS

Artificial Intelligence VS Agentic AI

Chignecto Isthmus: Pushing back against the tide

Annual Award Winners

1

Photo: iStock

President & CEO report

4

Regulatory news

6

Events

8

Artificial Intelligence VS Agentic AI

12

A conversation with Professional Engineer and AI Expert, Robert Newcombe

Pushing back against the tide

14

Essential work on the Chignecto Isthmus will ensure Nova Scotia doesn’t become an island

Engineering award winners

18

David Latimer – 25 Memoir of Inspiring Personal Growth and Transition from Contracting to Consulting The Engineer is a quarterly publication of Engineers Nova Scotia.

Views independently expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Engineers Nova Scotia Council and Staff.

Engineers Nova Scotia Council 2024-2025 President Dr. Sue Molloy, P.Eng. Vice-President Dr. Jennie Rand, P.Eng. Past-President Dr. Adam Donaldson, P.Eng. Councillor Krista Phillips, P.Eng. Councillor Dilan Watson, P.Eng. Councillor Cliff Johnston, P.Eng. Councillor Ian Squires, P.Eng. Councillor Wayne MacDonald, P.Eng. Councillor Malcolm Palamarek, P.Eng. Councillor Kayleigh Rainer Brown, P.Eng. Councillor Andrew Thalheimer, P.Eng. Ex-Officio Members DS (Pal) Mann, P.Eng. Crysta Cumming , P.Eng.

CEO & Registrar Engineers Canada Director

Zone Representatives Darrin McLean, P.Eng. Oliver Browning, P.Eng. Vivek Tomar, P.Eng. Conrad LeLièvre, P.Eng. Ron Marks, P.Eng. Andrew Polegato, P.Eng. Harry Daemen, P.Eng.

Cape Breton/Victoria Colchester Halifax/Hants Kings/Annapolis Pictou Cumberland Antigonish/Guysborough

Committee Chair Persons Browren Allard, P.Eng. Andrew Thalheimer, P.Eng. Denise Trim FEC, P.Eng. Debra McLellan, P.Eng. George Goad, P.Eng. John Eisnor, P.Eng. Helen Langille, P.Eng. James Beck, P.Eng. Lawrence Murphy, P.Eng. Jeff Knapp, P.Eng. Christine Bonnell-Eisnor, P.Eng. Darrell Marsh, P.Eng. Thomas Simmons, P.Eng.

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Professional Practice Honours & Awards Board of Examiners Complaints Disipline Continuing Professional Development Women in Engineering Safety Sustainability Finance & Audit Student Affairs National Engineering Month Emerging Professionals

President and CEO Report

Fresh perspectives including modernizing our professional legislation.

While the current climate may seem overwhelming, we want to emphasize that there is great cause for optimism. As a profession, we possess the knowledge, skills, and public confidence necessary to guide Nova Scotia through these chalSue Molloy, PhD, P,Eng, Pal Mann, CD, FCSSE, lenging times and towards a President, P.Eng., ICD.D, prosperous future.

Engineers Nova Scotia CEO & Registrar, Our strategic plan proEngineers Nova Scotia vides a roadmap for advancFellow Engineers, ing the professionalism of As we embark on a new Council year, our engineers and the impact engineers we are energized by the fresh perspectives can have on society. We remain commitand enthusiasm our newly elected slate ted to helping our registrants maintain brings to Engineers Nova Scotia. We find the highest standards of practice. By ourselves at a pivotal moment, entering doing so, we not only serve the public the third year of our five-year strategic interest but also indirectly contribute to plan, amidst a landscape of change and the well-being of our province. challenges facing our province.

We invite you to engage with us as Nova Scotians are grappling with the province moves through this impressing issues of affordability, health- portant period. Your insights, expertise, care, and housing. These concerns touch and passion are invaluable in shaping every aspect of our society and demand the professionalism of engineering in innovative solutions. As engineers, we Nova Scotia. Together, we can provide are uniquely positioned to contribute engineering perspectives to help Nova to addressing these challenges, lever- Scotians tackle the complex issues aging our technical expertise and prob- facing our communities and help create lem-solving skills. lasting, positive change.

We celebrate the recent election of As always, we look to you to help us three professional engineers to mu- highlight the contributions of engineers nicipal councils in Halifax Regional in building a resilient, sustainable, and Municipality, Chester, and Antigonish thriving Nova Scotia. We look forward respectively. Their success demonstrates to your continued support and collabothe value our profession brings to public ration in realizing our shared vision for service and decision-making. the profession and our province.

In the wake of a newly elected government, we reaffirm our commitment Best regards, to seize opportunities and share the perSue Molloy, PhD, P,Eng, President spective of engineers related to the public Pal Mann, CD, FCSSE, P.Eng., interest and provincial jurisdiction; ICD.D, CEO & Registrar 4

RECENTLY MOVED? NEW EMPLOYER? Use our website to update personal information or email info@engineersnovascotia.ca It’s a Registrant’s responsibility to keep their info up-to-date. engineersnovascotia.ca

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COO and Treasurer’s Report

Regulatory Update completed. The Committee remains active in assessing a number of published guidelines from other engineering regulators across Canada to determine their relevancy for adaptation or adoption by Engineers Nova Scotia.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Kris Dove, FEC, P.Eng., COO, Engineers Nova Scotia As the number of registrants of Engineers Nova Scotia continues to grow each year, the activity related to the professional practice support and associated activities has also increased.

This includes an increase in requests for guidance for practice and ethical related issues, enforcement activities related to the unauthorized use of protected terms by unlicensed individuals, and complaints that are complex and require extensive review and assessment prior to decisions being made by our Complaints Committee. This update article will outline several areas of interest for registrants to be aware of.

Engineering Practice Guidelines Staff, together with the Professional Practice Committee, continue to review of all of the practice guidelines currently published by Engineers Nova Scotia to ensure consistency and modernization. Engagement of registrants on the Professional Practice Guidelines and the Use of the Professional Stamp Guidelines is expected to commence before the end of the year, with engagement on other guidelines to follow, once review by the Committee has been

Information sessions on the new harmonized CPD program, developed in conjunction with the other Atlantic Canadian engineering regulators, were completed over the summer. Attendees were provided with details regarding a reduction of the number of required professional development hours, new and improved categories of learning, and plans for program implementation.

Additional program modernization components that will align our CPD program with other engineering regulators include annual reporting of CPD activities, and future auditing of a small, random percentage of registrant activities. Additional information and updates regarding the modernized CPD program are available - click here.

The modernized CPD program is slated to commence starting January 1, 2025, with reporting due at the end of 2025. Registrants will be provided additional information regarding learning activities and other CPD program supports in the upcoming months. To facilitate the implementation of the modernized program, a By-Law amendment is required, and registrants would have received an email with voting information and a registrant-specific voting code. The amendment removes the reference to a specified minimum number of professional development 6

hours (PDH) in the By-Laws and provides that members must complete the minimum number of PDH set out in the CPD Guidelines (which are approved

by Council). The By-Law vote closed on November 15, 2024, and pending approval by two-thirds of the votes received, the amendment will go to the Governor in Council for approval.

Next steps include the development of program supports, designed to assist registrants in navigating the new CPD requirements. Workshops, webinars, and guidance documents will be developed to provide clarity and support throughout the transition. Staff will continue working with the CPD Committee to develop, review, validate, and deliver CPD program supports, prior to the new CPD program go-live.

Bilingual Engineering Work Products for Federal Procurement Update In 2024, the federal government released an additional update and subsequent amendment (PN-48R2) to Policy Notification (PN-48R1) regarding updated obligations for federal procurement activities with respect to the Official Languages Act. Public Works and Procurement Canada (PSPC) may require submission of engineering work products in both official languages—French and English—each being of equal quality and published at the same time, for documents being published as part of a government tender process. This requirement is not applicable to documents sent in response to a government tender, which can still be submitted in the supplier’s language of preference.

This issue is being closely followed

by Engineers Nova Scotia, as well as Engineers Canada and the provincial consulting engineering groups (e.g., Consulting Engineers of Nova Scotia (ACEC-NS)). Impacts on the practice of engineering, specifically the requirement to stamp translated documents, are being assessed to determine if additional action from our association is required. Registrants are reminded that they should only accept responsibility for work they can fully understand (if translated), and that is within their area of competence.

Complaints and Discipline The Complaints Committee meets regularly and continues to be actively engaged in the investigation of new and existing complaints. It should be noted that not all potential complaints progress

to becoming formal complaints. Some inquiries may relate to business contract issues, payment issues, or communication challenges between a registrant and client, which are outside the jurisdiction of Engineers Nova Scotia.

The table below summarizes our complaints activity over the past six calendar years.

I wish to acknowledge and thank members of the Complaints Committee who work diligently to administer complaints in accordance with Section 17 of the Engineering Profession Act, and to investigate allegations and take appropriate action in a timely and efficient manner. There has been an escalation in the complexity of the complaints received, and the amount of time and effort required to assess and action complaints has increased. We continue

to work to implement process improvements and tools to assist Committee members with the review and disposition of complaints.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the modernized CPD program or any area related to Professional Practice, the Complaints and Discipline process, or the Engineering Profession Act or By-Laws, please contact me to discuss.

I can be contacted at kdove@engineersnovascotia.ca.

Complaint Case Summary By Year New Cases Cases Closed Active Cases Appeal Discipline Committee Referral

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 2019

2020

2021

2022 7

2023

2024

2024 Annual Business Meeting and Engineering Conference

Engineers Nova Scotia’s Annual Business Meeting and Awards Dinner was held at the Canadian Immigration Museum at Pier 21 on October 25. Engineers Nova Scotia President, Dr. Sue Molloy, P.Eng. and Past President Dr. Adam Donaldson, P.Eng. are pictured during the Town Hall.

During the Town Hall, registrants asked questions of the President and CEO.

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Following the Town Hall, the Annual Business Meeting focused on the business of Engineers Nova Scotia and included a review of the financial statements.

Annual Report

Left: Jeff Knapp, FEC, P.Eng., presents the Finance and Audit Committee’s 2023/24 Annual Report.

THE POWER OF SYNERGY 2023/2024

The 2023-2024 Annual Report, Audited Financial Statements and Budget are available for download at issuu.com/

engineersns

Colleagues, friends, and industry leaders came together to honour this year’s award recipients.

Benjamin Doucette, P.Eng. gives an overview of the 2024 Lieutenant Governor’s Award-Winning project - the Loyola Student Residence Recladding Project.

This year’s award recipients, seen below (from left to right) are Denise Trim, FEC, P.Eng., Jennifer Almon, P.Eng., Stephen Eisan, P.Eng., Shaun Dieltgens, P.Eng., Denis Morris, P.Eng., Aubrey Palmeter, P.Eng., and Ahmad Rana, P.Eng. Read more about them beginning on Page 18.

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Our Professional Development Conference was held on October 23 in Halifax. The keynote speaker, Matt Thomson of Placemaking 4G, pictured above, helped registrants explore an engineering approach to create wellness solutions in complex environments—helping people not just survive but thrive on their professional journey.

Professional Development Presentations focused on topics ranging from a live demonstration of the latest AI technology, challenges associated with the transport of new steel arch bridges from Dartmouth to Toronto, details regarding the modernization of our CPD program, and an overview of a competency-based assessment process.

Pictured to the right is Menna Riley at Leading Ladies Networking who presented on strategies for effective professional relationship building.

Meggie Letman, P.Eng., Rachel Scurlock, P.Eng., Andrew McDonald, P.Eng. led the morning panel discussion “Emerging as a Leader: Guiding the transition to professional leadership and growth in your career.”

Thank you to all our Conference presenters: Matt Thomson (Placemaking 4G), Scott Kirby (TD Insurance), Menna Riley (Leading Ladies Networking), Thomas McNutt, P.Eng., (Harbourside Engineering Consultants), Robert Newcombe, P.Eng., (Newcombe Consulting).

We would like to thank our Conference partners who supported our event: TD Insurance, Manulife, Canada Life, CBCL, Stantec, Cox & Palmer, Victor Insurance, On-Line Computer Services, Dalhousie University Faculty of Engineering, and Dalhousie University Faculty of Management.

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Artificial Intelligence vs Agentic AI A conversation with Professional Engineer and AI Expert, Robert Newcombe, P.Eng., President of AI-First Consulting.

Photo: iStock

Artificial Intelligence (AI) expert Robert Newcombe, P.Eng., of AI-First Consulting has been busy working to help Atlantic Canadian organizations for over a decade improve productivity with industrial engineering principles and AI.

he does not see, in the near future, AI taking full jobs. “Most people I have spoken with are more excited than worried about AI. The reward of having AI help with the work heavily outweighs the risk of AI taking their work.”

Newcombe says things are changing very quickly with AI in the workforce and he suggests despite any uncertainty about the tech, users need to stay open, flexible, nimble and curious.

Through his work, Newcombe sees the power and potential productivity gains especially for knowledge workers, but, really for all different industries. He encourages people to approach it with a curiosity by becoming knowledgeable about how it works and consider how it can help employers & employees accomplish daily tasks and activities.

For example: How can AI technology improve communications, assist with finding information, or offer insightful data analysis?

“Even though AI can be a little bit scary, just approach it with optimism and positivity and see how it can help with your own work and life.”

His background is industrial engineering, so with that approach and lens his interest is primarily focused on process improvements - how to augment workplace processes with AI. Newcombe says the sector is evolving quickly and while it is going to take different tasks and different activities,

As a consultant, he has been tracking workplace trends and has witnessed, especially since COVID, that more people are burning out from a mountain of work demands. “People are stressed 12

at work, or they feel overwhelmed and overloaded. They’re looking for some help with the drudgery of work.”

Newcombe suggests exploring systems that can tackle the mundane tasks that take a lot of time and energy so, employees can focus more on the value-added tasks and their strengths.

What can be done with AI, using different tools, automating it, putting it together to improve the way employees work and ultimately ease the burden of their workload.

People often ask him, “what can AI do for me?” and “where do I start?”

He says to, “fix what bugs you.” Now, if you’re not sure what that is, he offers some questions: - If there are certain days you’re dreading work, why?

- What type of days tend to drag on? Why? - If you had a magic wand and could fix anything about your job, what would it be?

The most common complaint he hears from workers is the inflow of data, emails, meetings, and notifications. “Everything feels important, so we spend our workdays trying to get out of the red. Nearly 2 in 3 people (64%) say they struggle with having the time and energy to do their job.” https://www.microsoft.com/ en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/ will-ai-fix-work He offers some tools to explore including AI Meeting, AI Note take, AI Assistant, AI Break, and Six Thinking Hat Method (STHM). The latter allows a user to consider an issue from the perspective of six personas: Blue Hat (Organizer), Green Hat (Innovator), Red Hat (Empath), Yellow Hat (Optimist), Black Hat (Realist), White Hat (Analyst). Give it a try at https://www.chainbrainai.com/ six-thinking-hats-system.

agentic AI can operate autonomously, without human interaction.

“What is agentic AI? Complete guide” https://www.techtarget.com/ searchenterpriseai/definition/ agentic-AI He is always tracking emerging tech and has two companies and programs to watch. Anthropic focuses on researching AI and safety related issues.

While it is still experimental at this stage, Claude 3.5 Sonnet “Computer Use” is promoted as tech that can operate computers the way people do.

It can take control of your computer and your mouse and take over website navigation.

Open AI is also set to release their version of a similar tool known as “Operator.” It is expected to come out in January 2025.

Anthropic – Meet Claude https://www.anthropic.com/ news/3-5-models-and-computer-use OpenAI – Operator theverge.com/2024/11/13/24295879/ openai-agent-operator-autonomous-ai

Robert Newcombe, P.Eng. As Newcombe highlights, AI can help in many, many different areas, and it’s only going to expand as the next years go by, and says agentic AI will become a big thing in 2025. Basically, current generative AI operates as a chat interface and can’t take actions, while

Whether they’re either young or old, Newcombe says, just play with it. “It doesn’t have to be work necessarily to start, but something that you’re interested in and you think it can help you with, just see what it can do. And that’s the best way to learn because there’s no playbook for artificial intelligence.”

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Additional Articles – AI RELATED NEWS ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/ en/artificial-intelligence-ecosystem#s1 news.un.org/en/ story/2024/09/1154336 unep.org/news-and-stories/ story/ai-has-environmentalproblem-heres-what-world-cando-about unesco.org/en/ artificial-intelligence/ recommendation-ethics

Pushing back against the tide Essential work on the Chignecto Isthmus will ensure Nova Scotia doesn’t become an island

Rising sea levels and more frequent and severe storms due to climate change are threatening to submerge the Chignecto Isthmus - a narrow strip of land 21 kilometres wide and Nova Scotia’s only road and rail connection to the rest of Canada.

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Just slightly above sea level, with a network of dikes and aboiteaux built in the late 1600s to protect the land from the Bay of Fundy’s tides, this “Atlantic Gateway” has two critical transportation systems - the Trans-Canada Highway and the Canadian National Railway, as well as windmills and major power transmission lines.

Even temporary flooding of the highway and the rail line delays inter-provincial and international trade of more than $90 million per day based on annual trade of approximately $35 billions of goods moving through the isthmus each year.

“An Evaluation of Flood Risk to Infrastructure Across the Chignecto Isthmus,” a 2012 report commissioned by the tlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions Association (ACASA), a non-profit organization that was formed to coordinate planning for climate change adaptation projects in

Atlantic Canada, used flood modeling with high-resolution digital models of elevation of the Isthmus terrain to show low lying dike segments in Nova Scotia would flood during storm surges that coincide with high tides.

The report stated that, using sea level rise predictions “Nova Scotia could become an island, particularly during storm surges, unless the dike system is considerably upgraded or other adaptation options implemented.”

In March of 2022, the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works and the New Brunswick Department of Transportation and Infrastructure released the “Chignecto Isthmus Climate Change Adaptation Comprehensive Engineering and Feasibility Study,” identifying options for protecting the trade corridor and the communities within it.

Chignecto Isthmus Climate Change Adaptation Comprehensive Engineering and Feasibility Study An Evaluation of Flood Risk to Infrastructure Across the Chignecto Isthmus by Tim Webster, Malinee Kongwongthai, and Nathan Crowell Applied Geomatics Research Group Centre of Geographic Sciences Nova Scotia Community College, Middleton, NS Tel: 902 825 5475 email: timothy.webster@nscc.ca

Revised December 2012

by Tim Webster, Malinee Kongwongthai, and Nathan Crowell Applied Geomatics Research Group Centre of Geographic Sciences Nova Scotia Community College, Middleton, NS

Ten options were researched and evaluated, including building a new highway in a different area and building a bridge that includes the TransCanada Highway and rail. The top three solutions are: Option A: Raising the existing dikes to 10.6 metre with water level control structures required downstream.

Option B: Building new dikes to be constructed to 10.6 metre with water level control structures required downstream.

Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions Association Solutions d’adaptation aux changements climatiques pour l’Atlantique

Read a copy of ‘An Evaluation of Flood Risk to Infrastructure Across the Chignecto Isthmus’

The study suggests a five-year period after an option is chosen before the start of construction, for environmental assessments and design work, with project construction taking place over the course of 10 years.

Read a copy of ‘Chignecto Isthmus Climate Change Adaptation Comprehensive Engineering and Feasibility Study’

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Option C: Raising the existing dikes and installing 800 metre of steel sheet pile walls at certain locations, with tidal dams and new aboiteaux in rivers.

As the options are being considered, the Nova Scotia government announced in October 2024 that they will begin construction of a new 500-metre-long, four-metre-high soil barrier along the LaPlanche River in Cumberland County. This berm will provide backup for eroding dikes and help protect the low-lying land of Chignecto Isthmus from flooding during major storms.

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2024 Engineers Nova Scotia Award Winner

F.H. Sexton Gold Medal: Aubrey Palmeter, MBA, ICD.D, P.Eng. For exceptional career achievements in their chosen field of engineering practice contributing to the economic and social benefits of society.

“Its really a culmination of a career which I hope is not over but it symbolizes a successful career so far and for that I am very grateful. I have had way more hardships than successes but if you fail, that’s ok, that’s how you learn just never give up, prevail, just keep going and find a way.”

Aubrey Palmeter’s remarkable career spans over 40 years, the majority of it in the consulting engineering industry. As the CEO of EastPoint, a Nova Scotian firm, Aubrey has led the transformation of the company from a start-up to a national service provider with 150 employees. His commitment to quality, collaboration, and ethical practice sets a benchmark for engineering excellence, embodying the core values of the profession.

His influence is probably best described by community leaders who have collaborated with him over the years and provided the following words about him. From Jamie Wright, Senior Architect and former director of IBI Group: “Aubrey is a builder. He has created opportunities for his employees

and the broader region without moving EastPoint’s centre of operation.”

From Janet MacMillan, Senior Counsel, NATIONAL Public Relations: “Aubrey has an amazing ability to look around the corners, to see far ahead what’s coming, and to frame a vision and a plan. He is fearless yet thoughtful in his approach.”

From Melanie Nadeau, P.Eng. CEO at Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE): “Aubrey’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset have allowed for several partnerships, ideas, and projects to materialize. He is the person I call when times are complex and the path forward is not clear.”

Aubrey’s focus on sustainable growth, continuous learning, and fostering a close-knit culture defines EastPoint’s values, and has secured its recognition as one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies for several consecutive years. Under his guidance, EastPoint embraces innovative practices and technologies, positioning the firm to tackle increasingly difficult challenges in an ever-evolving industry.

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Beyond his work at EastPoint, Aubrey has been a vocal advocate for the advancement of the engineering profession, championing the role of engineers as key contributors to economic and social progress. He has served on over 30 boards, including Dalhousie University’s Board of Governors and the COVE, contributing his leadership to education, innovation, and economic development.

Aubrey’s volunteerism and dedication to mentoring emerging professionals has established a legacy of growth and opportunity for the next generation of engineers. Aubrey actively mentors 20 emerging professionals at EastPoint, sharing insights from his own experiences, and encouraging others to view obstacles as opportunities for growth, much like a sailor adjusting their sails to harness the winds of change. As he often says, “it’s not just about knowing what you’re doing; it’s about how you navigate the journey ahead.”

His leadership and advocacy for engineering continues to make a lasting impact within the profession.

2024 Engineers Nova Scotia Award Winner

Engineering Award: Ahmad Rana, P.Eng. The Engineering award honours distinction in the practice of engineering for a single event or a series of events.

“On a personal level its really exciting because I moved to this place, this beautiful part of the earth, in October 2016, a newcomer and now in eight years being recognized - this is quite an emotional thing because that is possible because of the compromises and sacrifices from my family and friends. It takes a lot of unsung heroes behind the scenes.”

Ahmad Rana has quickly earned a national and even international reputation for his innovative work in the field of corrosion and materials protection.

He arrived in Halifax in 2016, as a newly landed immigrant.

In just eight years, he obtained a Master of Applied Science Degree in materials engineering – and successfully developed a laboratory component for a senior undergraduate course in

corrosion, with the unique purpose of bridging the gap between academia and industry.

As a graduate student, Ahmad was the recipient of National Association of Corrosion Engineers, (NACE) Graduate Student Book Award 2019, for his excellent contributions in the field of corrosion. The first-ever student from Dalhousie University to claim this award.

He has also previously been honoured with the Materials Performance Innovation of the Year Award, from the Global Corrosion Prevention Authority, for his innovations in corrosion mitigation.

Ahmad’s colleague describes him as a bright researcher, mentor, and a prolific writer.

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He has 45 peer-reviewed journal papers, magazine articles, and conference papers – attracting research grants worth a million dollars.

His research focus has been on corrosion, wear, thin-film coatings, epoxy coatings and risk-based inspection.

He is recognized for his innovative academic and industry work on corrosion mitigation.

Ahmad received the most-impactful publication award from Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) in 2021.

Currently, Ahmad is working with Integrity Products & Supplies Incorporated Canada as Technical Director leading the research and development portfolio for Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) and Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) management solutions.

2024 Engineers Nova Scotia Award Winner

J.D. Fraser Service Award: Denise Trim, FEC, P.Eng. Awarded to an engineer who has made a substantial contribution of service to the association. This includes a record of outstanding volunteer service to the various committees and projects of Engineers Nova Scotia.

“A real honour and very much appreciated. It is exciting to win an award and be recognized for years of service but in my case, I was not expecting it.”

Denise Trim graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia in 1987. She worked for three years with a local consultant firm, doing highway inspection, asphalt and geotechnical design work across Nova Scotia. During this period, she was also approached by a former professor about joining the Student Affairs Committee at APENS, one of a few committees that accepted Engineer In Training members.

In 1990 Denise switched positions to work with the federal government, with what was known as Public Works Canada. Initially in a technical role as geotechnical engineer in Atlantic Canada, it seems logical to undertake a Master of Engineering degree to expand her knowledge in this area. During a busy period of raising a family and working, she completed this degree part-time, graduating from Dalhousie University in 1999.

There were opportunities during this period for volunteering to provide engineering related presentations to groups across Nova Scotia, including Brownies, Cubs, schools and science fairs.

Having taken a hiatus from committees with Engineers NS during the final years of the Master’s program, in 2000 Denise returned to the Student Affairs Committee, serving as Chairperson for several years. In her professional life she had moved into management of teams and projects across Nova Scotia, which enabled travel which could be combined with engineering presentations such as those at St. Francis Xavier University engineering classes. Denise also served as a mentor for Engineers in Training, including more than one who worked in the same federal government department.

In addition to her vast committee work - Student Affairs, Sustainability, Complaints, Discipline, Board of Examiners - Denise Trim has consistently shown her dedication to the profession by advocating for women in engineering and more inclusive participation from other under-represented groups; willing 20 20

to support young engineers in their professional development; prepared to do the work required to promote the profession and its reputation; all while keeping protection of the public as a priority. The ultimate testament of her recognition as an engineering role model is the fact that she has two daughters who have graduated from the Faculty of Engineering at Dalhousie.

In 2015 it was time for a change; having recently changed departments to work for the RCMP she was appointed to the Complaints Committee. During this time, she also was a volunteer Commissioner with the Shubenacadie Canal Commission, which intertwined leadership and technical skills. Denise continued to serve in these two roles until moving out of province in 2019.

A promotion to Director General of Real Property at the RCMP led to a move to Ottawa in 2019. COVID was a challenging time for all, however remote work was a real benefit to Denise as she was able to spend a lot of time in Nova Scotia until retiring in June 2022.

Planning for post-retirement, Denise accepted an appointment to the Board of Examiners at Engineers Nova Scotia.

Knowing that being busy and active was important to successful retirement, she also became a part time volunteer employee with Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Dartmouth, assisting with real property considerations. She continues in these roles along with being a volunteer with the Ronald McDonald Atlantic Charities at both the RM House in Halifax and the RM Family Room at the IWK.

2024 Engineers Nova Scotia Award Winner

S.L. Devereaux Award for the Advancement of Women in the Engineering Profession: Jennifer Almon, P.Eng. It is awarded to an engineer who, through their engineering and career achievements, has demonstrated noteworthy contributions for the advancement of women in the profession. This includes being recognized as a role model within the profession.

As a Senior Electrical Engineer at EastPoint, Jennifer brings 14 years of experience in electrical design and commissioning, primarily within the consulting industry. She has successfully led a diverse range of projects across Canada, from building renovations to intricate, large-scale power system studies. Her extensive expertise and leadership in power system analysis software has established her as a recognized subject matter expert in the field. In other words—should you need “Once I got into the field, I met to untangle the complexities of short a bunch of incredible women that I circuit analysis, orchestrate protective wanted to do my part. It has been pretty device coordination, or manage arc flash good for me. I have not had too many hazards—Jennifer’s the person you want workplace issues, but I know and I’ve on your team.

While Jennifer’s work may be highly heard many stories from my colleagues and friends who have not had such technical, her approach to mentoring good luck as I have. So it’s really for and volunteering is refreshingly welthem that I was pushed into wanting to, coming. Recognizing the importance of to do something. I really want to make positive exposure—and mentorship— it a better, a more welcoming place for has empowered Jennifer’s approach to women and look more into is retention.” her engineering career, including her Jennifer Almon’s path to engineering positive interactions with clients, project was shaped early by her curiosity and teams, peers, emerging engineers, and exposure to the profession through her the broader community. She is particfather, laying the groundwork for her ularly driven to increase retention of career and inspiring her to excel and women in engineering who are recent give back. Jennifer earned a Certificate graduates and mid-career professionof Applied Science in Engineering from als, and to give aspiring engineers and Acadia University in 2007, followed by women within the industry the sense of a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering belonging they deserve.

Among her volunteerism efforts, Degree from Dalhousie University in Jennifer’s leadership is best illustrated in 2010.

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her roles as Vice Chair, Chair, and Past Chair of the Women in Engineering Committee for Engineers Nova Scotia.

In these roles she has spearheaded initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and retention in the profession. Her role in helping to launch the Learning through Interacting, Networking and Knowledge Sharing (LINKS) program in 2022 is a testament to her commitment to fostering mentorship and inclusion, helping over 100 women engineers connect and thrive. Jennifer continues to be actively involved in the Networking and Mentorship Subcommittee at Engineers Nova Scotia, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Women in Engineering network.

Those who have worked alongside Jennifer know she is as dedicated to helping others as she is to her own career. Her demonstrated technical expertise, combined with her active role in advancing women in engineering, exemplifies her as a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion in the profession.

2024 Engineers Nova Scotia Award Winner

Citizenship Award: Denis Morris, P.Eng. It is awarded to an engineer who combined a professional career with outstanding service and leadership to the community.

“Dealing with people in the volunteer world you can translate that into the engineer world. It can make you a better engineer because ultimately, we are dealing with people whether it is our own engineering teams, contractor groups, our client groups, you’re dealing with people. You have to work with them and volunteering helps.”

Denis Morris P.Eng., has an established reputation as a highly respected engineer with a proven record of solving complex engineering challenges.

Currently, he is the Managing Director of the Atlantic Region of M&R Engineering Limited – a local mechanical and electrical engineering firm.

At work, Denis is eager to impart his knowledge and experience to junior

employees and actively serves on many committees and organizations, including The National Fire Protection Association and the Engineering Institute of Canada.

Although much of Denis’ time is spent ensuring the success of his company, he continues to find time to give back to the industry and his community in a variety of ways. He has offered his time as a board member of Phoenix House for youth, his church community, scouts, and various sports teams.

As a coach of baseball and soccer, and sponsor of St. FX Football Adopt an Athlete, he has a positive impact on players. He is teaching them fair play, teamwork, and discipline to work 22 22

at something so they can get better, all traits that he has, and that the players will use to develop their own careers.

“I would encourage someone to get involved because it will help you become more well rounded, you’ll enjoy your engineering career more, they can reflect well onto the engineering profession and it can help them build a network of contacts to help advance their career.”

2024 Engineers Nova Scotia Award Winner

Citizenship Award: Stephen Eisan, P.Eng. It is awarded to an engineer who combined a professional career with outstanding service and leadership to the community.

“I’ve been working for 30 years and its an honour I can’t express in words how it makes me feel that my peers considered me and nominated me for the award.”

From a junior site inspector overseeing the Bedford Highway Widening Project – to Senior Resident Engineer on the Angus L Macdonald - Third Lane Project – which won the Engineers Nova Scotia Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering in 2000 – Stephen’s work keeps traffic safely flowing. For over 15 years he has served on the technical committee for the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, which is responsible for developing the standards for which bridges are designed in Canada.

As the senior lead engineer for CBCL’s multi-discipline building renovation projects he has worked on several projects that have made their mark on the community. He received the 2023 Urban Design Award for The Akoma Old Home Restoration Project renovating the former Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children into a seniors’ gym,

café, salon and offices focused on clients of African descent. It also enabled a seniors housing project adjacent to the former Home.

He also led the project for the Sipekne’katik First Nation Pow Wow Arbour in Indian Brook, Nova Scotia -an impressive iconic open circular heavy timber cultural venue used for Pow Wows and other outdoor entertainment.

Stephen’s ability to help others extends beyond engineering work. He is very active in hockey both as a player and a coach and was instrumental in reviving the Musquodoboit Archers Association.

He was also in the right place at the right time to spring into action to rescue a tourist on the Halifax Waterfront.

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While inspecting a wharf, he witnessed a 7-year-old boy take a tumble off another wharf into the Halifax Harbour.

He and another colleague raced over to pull the boy and his mother to safety.

Stephen received his degree in Civil Engineering (with Distinction) from the Technical University of Nova Scotia in 1994. He is a Professional Engineer, registered with Engineers Nova Scotia and is also licensed to practice with the Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of New Brunswick.

2024 Engineers Nova Scotia Award Winner

L.A. White Engineer Award: Shaun Dieltgens, P.Eng.

Awarded to an engineer who has made significant contributions to the profession of engineering and their community, and demonstrates great promise as a professional engineer.

“I’m honoured to receive this award—it’s a testament to the importance of our work in preparing our new healthcare infrastructure as part of the Cape Breton Redevelopment project.

I’m grateful to be part of such meaningful work and look forward to what’s next.”

Shaun Dieltgens, P.Eng., has established a track record as a role model to his colleagues and peers within the engineering profession, as well as being a spokesperson for the value that engineers bring to complex environments, such as shipbuilding and healthcare.

A passion for his home community of New Waterford drew Shaun Dieltgens to join the Cape Breton Healthcare Redevelopment projects to improve the healthcare experiences of residents for generations to come.

As the Director of Operational Readiness with the Redevelopment Project, Shaun he has participated in the recruitment of other engineers to the project team and mentored these engineers to understand how to apply their skills to a new and challenging

environment. Together, their work will help support frontline staff and healthcare providers successfully move into their new facilities.

Shaun has a Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial) from Dalhousie University and was awarded the Dr. Eldon Gunn Memorial Award for Excellence in Industrial Engineering design for his senior year design thesis.

Shaun has also supported professional development for the engineering community in Cape Breton through

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the delivery of educational sessions at Cape Breton University focused on the knowledge and experience he has gained as an Industrial Engineer. He is currently working towards an MBA from Cape Breton University.

Books

David Latimer – Memoir of Inspiring Personal Growth and Transition from Contracting to Consulting

A new book, A Life in Construction, explores the life of and lessons learned throughout David Latimer’s extensive career as an engineer on both sides of the border.

“My motivation in writing this book was to share my vast experiences and give a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the private and public sectors related to the multi-billion dollar transportation and infrastructure sector.”

Born in Massachusetts to an American mother and a Canadian father, it was shortly after his arrival that

the family moved to Nova Scotia. He grew up in New Glasgow. Latimer earned an Engineering Certificate at Mount Allison University, in Sackville, New Brunswick. He then graduated in 1957, from the Technical University of Nova Scotia which later merged into Dalhousie University. He worked at Robb Engineering in Amherst and eventually joined the family road and bridge contracting firm of Latimer Construction Ltd in Truro.

He became an active member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia, known today as Engineers Nova Scotia. After serving several years on council, he became President in 1972. Latimer also was Warden of the Iron Ring Ceremony during the mid 80’s. Later that decade, in 1987, he gave up his APENS membership and moved back to the United States.

His work left a lasting legacy on the Province of Nova Scotia and the roads drivers travel to this day. He worked on the early construction contract building of the 100 series highway and bridge construction provincial transportation program from 1958 to 1986 in every Division of the Province from Yarmouth County to Richmond County in Cape 25

Breton. One of the largest was the Portland Street Interchange that ties the 118 to Dartmouth and beyond.

In 2008, he received an Engineers Canada Fellowship Award. The Fellowship recognizes exceptional voluntary service to the engineering profession.

When he moved to Florida in 2012, Latimer was looking for a new challenge. He started going through his collection of old journals, notebooks and digital files chronologically and realized he had the makings of a memoir.

He first started sharing his story with family and friends, but his book is now available to the wider public; especially he says for anyone considering a career in engineering or construction.

After reflecting on his life and career, he offered this guidance for emerging Engineers just starting out. He offered words of encouragement to keep your eyes open for opportunities and not be afraid of challenges, “If you ever find that you’re not happy with what you’re doing in your career, move on to new more rewarding opportunities.” His parting piece of advice -- read his book.

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