Engineers Act Review - The Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec is hoping for a swift adoption of Bill 49

MONTREAL, June 12, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec is satisfied with the tabling of Bill 49, which paves the way for the highly awaited review of the Engineers Act. The bill, which was tabled today in the National Assembly by Bertrand St-Arnaud, Minister of Justice and Minister responsible for the administration of legislation respecting the professions, will make it possible to adapt the legislative framework to the modern realities of engineering.

"At a time when the engineering profession is grappling with a confidence crisis, Minister St-Arnaud is showing his support for the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec and his desire to help it better fulfill its mission of protecting the public by tabling this bill. Every effort made to clarify the OIQ's powers is good news," explained Daniel Lebel, Eng., PMP, 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. 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.

All of the measures implemented to reassure the public that engineers are competent and honest need to be adopted. We have a duty to be prepared for the future. At our Annual General Meeting on June 13, we will have an opportunity to discuss an adjustment to our annual dues that will reflect the reality of our membership and allow us to better fulfill our mission," continued Mr. Lebel.

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.

"Tens of thousands of engineers practice every day in fields of engineering that are not recognized by the Engineers Act, which means that they cannot be fully appreciated. To ensure that engineering competence is maintained in Québec, it is now more important than ever before that the Act be adapted to the way engineering is now practiced and that the knowledge of engineers who work in these fields of practice fall within the scope of the Act," concluded the President of the OIQ.

It should also be noted that the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec welcomes the Minister's desire to introduce measures that will make it mandatory for engineers to supervise engineering works. This answers a demand that the OIQ has made many times. Engineer supervision is very important to ensure that engineering works are built in accordance with plans and design specifications and that nothing jeopardizes their reliability.

The bill should follow the normal legislative process in Québec's legal system before it comes into force as an Act. The OIQ hopes that the Committee on Institutions will quickly examine the bill and plans to fully cooperate in the National Assembly's consultation and adoption process starting this fall.

About the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec
Founded in 1920, the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec has a membership of more than 60,000 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 laws and regulations and ensure that the profession serves the public interest. For more information, go to the Web site www.oiq.qc.ca.

 

 

SOURCE: Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec

Patrick Leblanc
Communications Advisor
Communications and Public Affairs Department
Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec
514 845-6141 or 1 800 461-6141, extension 3253
Cell: 514 441-3697