MONTREAL, May 29, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec ("OIQ") is very satisfied with the tabling of the bill to review the Engineers Act that was introduced today in the National Assembly by Jean-Marc Fournier, Minister of Justice and Minister responsible for the Administration of Professional Legislation.
"The tabling of this bill is a major step in the process that the OIQ has given its full attention in the last few years. By tabling this bill, Minister Fournier is making it possible for the legislative framework to be adapted to the modern realities of the engineering and construction sector," stated Maud Cohen, Eng., President of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec.
The field of practice of engineers has changed significantly since the Engineers Act was passed in 1964, nearly 50 years ago. For that reason, the current version of the Act does not reflect the changes in scientific knowledge and the emergence of new fields of engineering practice in the last few decades, such as aerospace, software, biomedical, environmental, automated production and logistical operations engineering. "To provide the OIQ with the tools it needs to fulfill its mission of protecting the public, it is now more important than ever before that the Act be adapted to the way engineering is now practiced and that the knowledge and skills of the engineers who work in these fields of practice meet the requirements of the Act," the President of the OIQ continued.
The bill identifies the specific activities of engineers as they apply to engineering works such as buildings, structures and infrastructures, energy systems and industrial processes. It stipulates that engineers should be involved in the practice of such activities based on the risk to the public.
The Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec also welcomes the Minister's desire to introduce measures that would make it mandatory for engineers to monitor engineering works, especially since such measures would meet a demand that the OIQ has made many times in the past. Monitoring engineering works is one of the keys to restoring the public trust, which has been shaken by specific events affecting our infrastructures in the last few years and months.
"In the current context, it is more important than ever before to reassure the public by making sure that nothing compromises the integrity, safety, value and sustainability of engineering works. By better governing the way engineering works are monitored, not only will their design be reliable, but the subsequent steps of construction, maintenance, renovation and reconstruction will also be conducted without compromising their integrity," concluded Ms. Cohen.
The bill should follow the normal legislative process in Québec's legal system before coming into force as an Act. The OIQ hopes that the Commission des institutions will quickly examine the bill and plans to fully cooperate in the National Assembly's consultation and adoption process.
About the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec
Founded in 1920, the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec has a membership of more than 62,000 engineering professionals in all fields, except forest engineering. The mission of the OIQ is to ensure the protection of the public by supervising the practice of the profession within the framework of its constituent law and by-laws as well as ensuring that the profession serves the public interest. For more information, go to http://www.oiq.qc.ca.
Aline Vandermeer
Communications Advisor
Communications and Public Affairs Department
Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec
Telephone: 514 845-6141 or 1 800 461-6141, extension 3253
Cellular: 514-441-3697
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