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.