Engin En gineering eering and nd Ge Geos oscience cience in in Sa Sask skatchewan atchewan SARM Bridge Summit November 12, 2019 Bob McDonald, P.Eng., MBA, LL.B. Executive Director Registrar, APEGS Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
2 Regulation of Professions • The regulation of the professions is provincial jurisdiction, coming within “property and civil rights in the Province” in section 92(13) of the Constitution Act, 1867 • Statutes state and the Supreme Court of Canada has determined that the primary purpose of the establishment of self-governing professions is the protection of the public Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
3 Andrews: What is Profession • Profession – a calling requiring: – specialized knowledge and often long and intensive preparation including instruction in skills and methods as well as in the scientific, historical or scholarly principles underlying such skills and methods – maintaining by force or organization or concerned opinion high standards of achievement and conduct – committing its members to continued studya kind of work which has for its prime purpose the rendering of a public service Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
4 Wright – Canadian Bar Review (1951) • Elements present for a vocation to be called a profession: – Holding out to the public, offer of public service – Special skill a professional is assumed to have – Training and education – Privilege of state recognition – Self-disciplined group – Unselfishness or freedom from purely personal considerations Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
5 Legal Definition (Black’s Law Dictionary) • An occupation requiring special, usually advanced, education and skill. The labour and skill involved in a profession is predominantly mental or intellectual, rather than physical or manual. • Originally contemplated only theology, law and medicine but extended as applications of science and learning were extended. • Attainment of special knowledge as distinguished from mere skill. Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
6 Ethics of a Professional • Advanced knowledge and abilities from specialized education and practical experience. • Limit activities to areas of knowledge and experience. • Ensure competence is maintained. • Practice according to the Code of Ethics. • Recognize and support the role of their Association as delegated by society. Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
7 Two Aspects to Regulation • Registration - qualified persons are registered and licensed as members, and are subject to investigation and discipline for professional incompetence and professional misconduct • Prohibition - unqualified persons are prohibited from using title and/or from engaging in professional practice Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
8 Professional Regulation in SK • There are over 40 statutes in Saskatchewan alone regulating the professions • Some legislation is “right to practice” and some is “right to title” – The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act requires engineers and geoscientists to be licensed – The Interior Designers Act only protects the title “interior designer” but there is no requirement for membership or licensure to engage in practice • Engineering and Geoscience are regulated pursuant to The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
9 Objects of APEGS (Act - s. 5) • Ensure the proficiency and competency of the members in order to safeguard the public. • Regulate the practice of engineering and geoscience in accordance with the Act and Bylaws. • Promote and improve the proficiency and competency of members. • Foster the practice of professional engineering and professional geoscience in a manner that is in the public interest. Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
10 Self-Regulation • The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act provides for the creation of bylaws: – The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Regulatory Bylaws, 1997 – The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Administrative Bylaws, 1997 • The regulation of engineering and geoscience is in accordance with the Act and Bylaws, as well as policies and procedures established by Council Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
11 Regulation - Members • Members, licensees and corporate registrants are subject to the Act and Bylaws • The Regulatory Bylaws contain a “Code of Ethics” to be followed by all members • Complaints may be received about the competence and conduct of members • The Investigation and Discipline Committees deal with professional incompetence and professional misconduct of members Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
12 Prohibition - Non-Members • Prohibition sections of the Act deal with: – Protection of Title – Scope of Practice • Violators of the prohibition sections are prosecuted in the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
13 Requirements to Become a P.Eng. • Education • Good Character • Language Skills • Experience • Professional Practice Exam (Law & Ethics) • References Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
14 Good Character Guideline • “Good Character” connotes moral and ethical strength . . . traits include integrity, candour, empathy and honesty • Impediments include: – Record of professional misconduct or professional incompetence, or contravention of a professional statute – Commission of a criminal offence for which a pardon has not been granted – At fault in a civil action relating to professional negligence – Willfully obtains or attempts to obtain registration or renewal by cheating on an examination, making or causing to be made a false statement on his/her application, or committing any other impropriety during the application process Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
15 Training in Professionalism and Ethics • Applicants for professional status must successfully complete the Principles of Professional Practice Examination (PPE) – The exam covers law and ethics relevant to professional engineers and professional geoscientists – Most exam writers attend a two-day law and ethics seminar, but it is not mandatory. The seminar is also open to members. • APEGS provides PD days several times per year and provides ethics training • APEGS has developed a free, inter-active, on-line ethics presentation to help members comply with Continuing Professional Development • APEGS offers free presentations to interested organizations (i.e employers, constituent societies, etc.) Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
16 Complaints to APEGS • Investigation and discipline are fundamental to the professional regulatory process • APEGS typically receives about 5-10 complaints annually • APEGS may have one or two discipline hearings annually • Most complaints relate to professional misconduct as opposed to professional incompetence Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
17 Investigation & Discipline • Procedures for investigation and discipline are set out in the Act and Bylaws Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
18 Investigation Committee • Responsible for the investigation of allegations of professional incompetence (s. 29) or professional misconduct (s. 30) • Purpose of the investigation is to determine whether there is a basis for laying a formal complaint and proceeding with a discipline hearing Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
19 Key Processes • Investigation Initiated • Threshold Review • Notification & Request for Information • Information Gathering and Review • Establish Findings and Recommendation • Reporting • Review by Council (if application is made) • Pre-hearing Conference (if a discipline hearing is recommended) Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
20 Investigation Committee Report • On completion of the investigation, the Investigation Committee makes a written report to the Discipline Committee recommending: – That the Discipline Committee hear and determine the formal complaint set out in the report; or – That no further action be taken with respect to the matter under investigation s. 32(3) • Report must be signed by a majority of members of Investigation Committee s. 32(5) Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
21 Discipline Committee • Provides an inquiry and judgment capability to enable the Association to meet its responsibilities under the discipline sections of the Act. S. 33 • Hears and determines formal complaints referred to it by the Investigation Committee – Essentially a “judge and jury” function Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
22 Prohibition: Non-Members • Prohibition sections of the Act deal with: – Protection of “Title” (s. 26) – Scope of Practice (ss. 27 & 28(1)) • Violators of the Prohibition sections may be prosecuted in the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan or seek an injunction in the Court of Queen’s Bench (only remedies) • An injunction may be available if someone is acting in contravention of the Act (s. 44) Regulating the professions. Protecting the public.
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