Engineers’ associations in Nova Scotia and P.E.I. launch Canada’s first dual membership

The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC) is considering again whether it should regulate engineering practices.

In a website post dated November 5, the licensing body notes that while the province’s Engineers and Geoscientists Act does have provisions for the association to issue certificates of authorization to firms, there is no legal obligation for companies to obtain the certification. This situation is in contrast to that in other provinces, such as Ontario where Professional Engineers Ontario requires engineers in private practice to obtain a Certificate of Authorization.

APEGBC’s Council reminds its members that its prime purpose is to protect the public, but also that it must see that its members’ perspectives are heard. It has therefore set up a task force on corporate practice to consider the issues. The task force will include its members, representatives from government, manufacturing, construction and the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-B.C. (ACEC-BC). To learn more, click here.

Engineers Nova Scotia has approved some important and progressive changes lately. First it has established an agreement with its counterpart licensing body in Prince Edward Island —Engineers PEI — to have one application form for individuals who want to become members. The dual agreement between the two provincial licensing engineering body is a first in Canada and demonstrates their commitment to inter-provincial mobility.

Engineers Nova Scotia has also established a Limited Engineering Licence. Eligible licensees are people who do not have the academic qualifications for a full professional licence, but are well qualified individuals who are technically experienced in a specific field. The licence holders will be granted the licence within a defined scope of practice. They will use Eng.L. as a professional designation, and “Limited Engineering Licence” appears on their stamp. They also must have a relevant post-secondary degree in science or engineering, minimum 10 years of relevant experience, and must meet exactly the same standards for language proficiency, ethics and good character. They will have full voting rights in the association.

Engineers Nova Scotia is also celebrating the fact that its efforts since 2008 to see the province limit the liability of engineers has finally borne fruit. The Limitations of Actions Act commenced on September 1 this year. The association calls the new rules a “major achievement for our association.” Engineers’ potential liability is now limited to a fixed period of two years from the time an event is known to have occurred, or to a maximum of 15 years from the original work. Previously engineers’ liability was open ended.

To read articles about these initiatives, see the association’s magazine, The Engineer. Click here.

Quebec to revamp bidding process on construction contracts

The Government of Quebec has unveiled a new plan to help companies — especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) — have fair access to government contracts.
The program, entitled “Passeport Entreprises: Faciliter l’accès aux contrats de l’État,” was announced on October 30. It is intended not only to improve access to contracts, but also to improve contract procedures.

According to the announcement, companies currently are experiencing difficulties in bidding on public tenders because they find the requirements are sometimes disproportionate to the project, and the process is too complex.
The government intends to set up a working group with representatives of SMEs and public bodies to review tender documents and ensure they are not excessive and don’t hinder competition.

Among the proposals, which would be implemented by the end of 2016, are that public bodies should be obliged to use standard bidding documents, and that there be a uniform template for tender submissions. At least one SME would need to be invited during a call for tender, and there would be opportunities to bid electronically.
The government may also consider using fixed price contracts as opposed to paying by hourly rates.

The plan also aims to ensure that SMEs and start-up companies have access to more information about bids. It acknowledges that in the past companies often have not been sufficiently informed about the strengths and weaknesses of their submissions, which prevents them from improving for the next time.

The government also said it wants to ensure that tenders don’t exclude companies due to “excessive demands” that can make it appear that a tender is targeted for certain firms.
A new post of Commissioner for Public Contracts (Commisssaire aux contrats publics) is to be created. He or she will be in charge of managing public contracts and be the “watch dog” to ensure integrity and sound practices. The intention is to transfer this function from the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), which currently carries out the overseeing role.

The new Commissioner will have the power to cancel or require changes to a tender. Also, recommendations of the Charbonneau Commission, which are due this fall, will be adopted into the new regime where appropriate.

The Quebec Construction Association (ACQ) issued a statement on November 3 in support of the new Passeport Entreprises plan and said they were pleased also that the government indicated it is aware of the problems of late payment in the construction industry. To help in this regard the government plans to boost the activities of the Exchange Forum, a group which has not met since 2013.

Every year the Quebec government allocates more than $20 billion for contracts of various types. It says SMEs represent over 99% of Quebec companies and “are the lungs of our economy.”

The announcement of the Passeport Entreprises was made on October 30 by Martin Coiteux, Minister Responsible for Government Administration and Chair of the Treasury Board, and Jean-Denis Girard, Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises.
To read the Quebec government announcement of October 3, click here.