Society Notes - August 2005

1. Ontario engineers playing key role in protecting province's drinking water
Last month, OSPE announced its support for “Watertight: The Case for Ontario's Water and Wastewater Sector”, a report issued by the Water Strategy Expert Panel. In a news release sent out on July 25th, OSPE praised the suggested creation of the Ontario Water Board and the full cost recovery recommendation by the panel.

The creation of an independent regulator, like an Ontario Water Board, was recommended by the Society in our submission to the Water Strategy Expert Panel in November 2004. It is a positive move forward for professional engineers and Ontario’s ailing water infrastructure.

“We suggested that an independent regulator be established to approve financial plans, that OCWA be given greater governance autonomy and that rate structures should be established to encourage conservation,” said Chris Cragg, M.A.Sc., MBA, P.Eng., OSPE President and Chair.

Mr. Cragg added “OSPE is very pleased that the provincial government is listening to Ontario’s professional engineers, because they can provide the technical expertise needed to ensure safe drinking water in Ontario, and we would urge the government to make sure of their inclusion on the new Ontario Water Board.”

In an interview on The Stafford Show - 640 AM radio, Mr. Cragg continued to highlight the role engineers have played and will continue to play in protecting Ontario’s water.

“Engineers have been citing the deficiencies in Ontario’s water system for over 20 years. These deficiencies are well over due and it is time to get on with fixing them as this recent report indicates. The report cites $11 billion of the $34 billion to look after maintenance issues that are beyond their time. Engineers will be vital in the work associated with the planning and implementation of dealing with these issues.”

OSPE will continue to make sure the voice of engineers is heard with respect to water safety and infrastructure in Ontario. Engineers have, and will continue, to play a key role in making sure Ontario’s water is safe for everyone.

To find out more about OSPE's work on Safe Water and other advocacy issues visit Government Relations at www.ospe.on.ca.

2. OSPE voices member concerns about PEO complaints process
On July 8th, OSPE President and Chair, Chris Cragg, P.Eng., sent a letter to the President of Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), requesting that immediate steps be taken to review its complaints process - specifically the way in which professional engineers are treated when a complaint, valid or not, is lodged against them.

The letter is part of the Society’s latest advocacy initiative to pursue issues which affect engineers with government, the public and their regulator. As a result of numerous complaints from our members, OSPE has begun to urge PEO to focus on improving the investigation and discipline process currently in use.

Among specific complaints from OSPE members is the lack of process to expeditiously screen out frivolous complaints, or complaints that are not within the regulator’s jurisdiction, before they are moved on to the complaints committee. OSPE would like to see steps put in place that establish a more streamlined initial process so that these types of complaints are dealt with based on relevancy to the organization’s mandate.

OSPE would also like to see a process with more balance and which is more fair to a professional engineer who is being complained against.

The Society will continue to pursue a comprehensive review of the current complaint process on behalf of our members and will post any developments on our website at www.ospe.on.ca.

3. Call for Volunteers – Still time to participate in PE Act review
As a not-for-profit professional association, OSPE relies on the talent and practical experience of member volunteers. OSPE is still seeking volunteers to participate in the review of the Professional Engineers Act, an initiative of our ongoing advocacy program.

Review of the Professional Engineers Act
In the coming months OSPE will begin a review of the Professional Engineers Act and is looking for volunteers to participate to help determine what changes need to be made. The PE Act has not been significantly reviewed or revised in over 20 years and OSPE would like to provide members with the opportunity to offer their input into addressing this issue.
A number of shortcomings in the Act have already been identified based on feedback from OSPE members. Once the review of the Act is completed, OSPE intends to move forward quickly to raise these issues with PEO and the Ontario government.

If you are interested in participating in this review please login to our Members Only section and go to Volunteer Now to fill out our online volunteer form. Be sure to indicate that you would like to participate in the “Professional Engineers Act Review”. All OSPE members in good standing are welcome to volunteer.

To find out more contact Ryan Bailey, OSPE’s Manager of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs at rbailey@ospe.on.ca or by phone at 416-223-9961 ext. 226.

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4. Engineering community and government connect on the links
On Thursday, July 7, 2005, OSPE members and guests participated in the 2nd Annual OSPE Golf Tournament – “The Pengy” at Copper Creek Golf Club in Kleinburg, Ontario. The exceptional day provided members with the opportunity to network with fellow engineers while enjoying a great day outdoors.

OSPE also welcomed Norm Sterling, P.Eng., MPP, Lanark-Carleton; Saäd Rafi, Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Transportation; and Don Black, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

As the advocacy body for professional engineers in Ontario OSPE works with all levels of government, with a particular focus on Queen's Park to:

• Raise awareness of OSPE, our mandate and our members.
• Offer constructive input into legislation and regulations that affect our members.
• Pursue demand-side legislation that can boost demand for engineering services across Ontario.

Following the tournament, presentations including giving out various prizes and the announcement of the 2005 winning foursome. Returning champions from 2004, (Left) Daniel Couture, P.Eng., Jason Reid, CFEI, Barry Cooke, P.Eng. and Shawn Barnard, P.Eng. were presented with the "Winning Foursome Trophy" again this year by Chris Cragg, P.Eng., OSPE President and Chair.

OSPE would like to thank all attendees for making this year’s tournament a tremendous success and our many sponsors who helped make the day possible.

View more pictures from the Tournament at www.ospe.on.ca.

5. New Fall Professional Development offerings now online
OSPE has recently added a variety of exceptional Fall 2005 courses and programs to our extensive Professional Development offerings. Depending on the course or program, OSPE members can save up to $150 per course. Register by “Early Bird” dates and save even more!

Check out some of our upcoming courses/programs:

• Large Buildings – 2003, Aug. 23 – Sept. 17, 2005
• General Legal Processes for Inspectors and Designers/Powers and Duties of CBOs and RCAs – 2003, Aug. 24 – Sept. 2, 2005
• Building Services – 2003, Sept. 20 – Oct. 13, 2005
• How to Conduct Indoor Air Quality Assessment, Sept. 28, 2005
• Competitive Tendering – Practical & Legal Perspectives, Oct. 18 – 19, 2005
• Facilities Planning, Sept. 15 – Dec. 7, 2005
• Finding a Market Niche for Your Technology, Sept. 28, 2005
• Continuing Technical Education – Various Courses and Dates
• Entrepreneurial Business Skills Program – Various Courses and Dates

For more information or to find a complete listing of our courses and offerings, pricing details and registration instructions, visit Professional Development at www.ospe.on.ca or contact us at pd@ospe.on.ca or by phone at 416-223-9961, ext. 230.

6. Career Centre - Upgraded services and new workshops
OSPE has recently upgraded our Career Centre’s Resume Review and Career Advice services to better serve you. Offered in collaboration with the Association of Career Professionals International, both services provide expert advice for you - the engineering professional. These services also have new pricing and provide increased value.

Upcoming career management workshops:

Talent Management: Who Really Has Control? – Sept. 22, 2005
This interactive workshop, led by a team of career-management experts, will explore the often contrasting goals of an organization’s needs to manage a competitive global talent pool and an employee’s desire to independently manage their own career success.
Find out more and register now at www.ospe.on.ca.

Interviewing in a Competitive Job Market - Sept. 24, 2005
You’re in the best position to win the job when you are well prepared and well researched before you arrive for your interview. This workshop will teach you skills to get through the "trial by fire" of endless rounds of interviews and interviewer techniques that challenge most applicants.
Find out more and register now at www.ospe.on.ca.

For more information, visit the Career Centre at www.ospe.on.ca or contact us at careercentre@ospe.on.ca or by phone at 416-223-9961, ext. 232.

7. 2005 engineering awardees showcase best and brightest
The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) and Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) are pleased to announce the recipients for the 2005 Ontario Professional Engineers Awards.

This year’s top award, Professional Engineers Gold Medal will be presented to Frank Joseph Ewasyshyn, Ph.D. (Honourary), P.Eng., Executive Vice President – Manufacturing, DaimlerChrysler Corporation.

From his beginnings as a shop floor maintenance foreman at DaimlerChrysler Corporation 29 years ago to his current role as executive vice-president of manufacturing overseeing 30 facilities world-wide, Mr. Ewasyshyn has spent his career developing advanced technologies in a highly competitive automotive industry. His success has made him one of the foremost experts in the field of automotive manufacturing engineering.

Awards will also be presented for excellence across a broad range of engineering endeavors including innovation, professional leadership and entrepreneurship. View the complete list of 2005 Award Recipients now.

All awardees will be honoured at a Gala on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at the Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Conference Centre & Spa, Markham, Ontario. For the first time, this year’s awards will be held in conjunction with a two-day event presented by OSPE and PEO called “Engineers’ Weekend – A Convention for Ontario Engineers”.

Details about the conference will be available soon, so mark your calendar for November 18-19, 2005. If you are interested in sponsoring the 2005 OPE Awards or sponsoring the full weekend event, contact Ken Rule at krule@ospe.on.ca or by phone at 416-223-9961 ext. 234 for details.

8. Multifunctional Engineering: The Story of Engineers Without Borders in Ghana – Part 4
Since 2001, OSPE has been proud to support the important work of Engineers Without Borders (EWB). The Society is pleased to present this five-part series of stories highlighting the exceptional work of EWB volunteers around the world. This series is an exclusive to Society Notes. You can view Part Three of this series published in our June issue of Society Notes by visiting Publications at www.ospe.on.ca.

Part Four:
How many Canadian engineers does it take to install a light bulb? Only one you say - true enough - but if that engineer is in Yaakrom Ghana, it may just take a long time. For Tom Owen, the answer to this question was an important lesson learned about the challenges of working in rural Africa.

Tom first arrived in Ghana a year ago, a newly minted mechanical engineer from Victoria, excited to start work in the rural communities in which the multifunctional platform (MFP) was being installed. Having spoken with Mike Quinn, the previous EWB volunteer working on the project, Tom was confident that he had a solid understanding of the project. So after a month in Ghana, reading reports and learning about the project’s progress, he set out to visit Yaakrom, the town where Ghana’s first MFP had been installed.

One of the main purposes of his visit was to test a new business opportunity for Akua, the entrepreneur running the MFP, that could benefit both her and the community. So on his way to Yaakrom, he made a short stop in the city of Kumasi to pick up two lights he hoped would do just that.

The direct current 12 volt fluorescent lights were designed for battery-based electrical systems common in many non-electrified communities. These new lights are a low cost alternative made from recycled electronic components taken from various household electronics. The cost for the lights using new components is prohibitively high for the average Ghanaian and if this low cost alternative worked, Tom hoped Akua could start selling basic 12 volt electrical equipment to go along with her battery charging service. In doing so, the people in Yaakrom would gain access to lighting for their homes and she would be able to expand her business.

After the long journey to Yaakrom, Tom and his co-worker Charles arrived excited to test the new lights. In Canada this would be an easy test, but Tom quickly learned that something as simple as installing a light can present many challenges when in rural Ghana.

Having left Accra without a circuit tester, Tom’s co-worker Charles thought they would find one along the way, but this was easier said than done. So they found themselves in Yaakrom with two lights and very little equipment to install them. Tom remembered the technician who sold them the lights had warned that “bad things would happen” if they hooked up the polarity backwards.

Tom attached one of the lights to the roof, and seeing no standard colour scheme indicating positive or negative, he stared at the wiring baffled. Traveling back to Kumasi to test the lights would take too long. With no other option, he decided he would have to test the waters, despite fear of breaking the lights and the technician’s warning if he hooked the light up wrong.

Read next month’s Society Notes to see if Tom is able to hook-up the lights, providing a new business opportunity for Akua and the chance of lighting for the community.

To learn more about the MFP, take a guided tour with Tom Owen on video at http://www.ewb.ca/mainsite/pages/news/mfptour.mov.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is a registered Canadian charity that helps people in developing communities gain access to basic engineering technologies that can reduce poverty, hunger and disease. Visit EWB’s website at ewb.ca to learn more.