APEGS Governance Review completed
In the spring of 2019, APEGS engaged a consultant to review its governance structure and activities. The consultant completed the review and submitted all final recommendations to Council in April.
The consultant interviewed council members, volunteers and staff and considered trends in regulation and the governance structures of other self-regulated professions. The consultant’s recommendations include considerations around council composition, nomination process and evaluation of performance, as well as increasing public transparency, increasing APEGS’ focus on its regulatory objects and aligning APEGS’ public awareness and outreach activities.
“The review of APEGS’ activities and structure, combined with the reviews of other Canadian regulators, has provided recommendations as to how APEGS can adopt best practices in professional regulation that enhance public safety and ensure that APEGS is regulating the professions in the public interest,” said Bob McDonald, Executive Director and Registrar.
Council is considering each recommendation and has not yet determined what action it may take. APEGS will seek stakeholder consultation where appropriate.
“APEGS has a strong culture of good governance, which includes a drive to look at the changing regulatory landscape and reflect if we are set up properly to best respond to it,” said President Andrew Lockwood, P.Eng., FEC. “This governance review and follow-up implementation positions APEGS to continue to regulate in the public interest.”
A consultant is expected to be engaged to assist decision-making on any larger changes and to implement any that Council may approve.
“The implementation process may have slowed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the steering committee and staff continue to work in the background until more stakeholder input can be obtained,” said McDonald.
The estimated start date for implementing any changes is fall of 2020 and it may take two years for some of the changes to be implemented should they be approved. In the meantime, committees will continue with regular operations. For any large and longer-term initiatives in 2020, committees will consult with their respective Board Chairs for direction specific to those initiatives.
“I am confident in the strategy and team we have selected and excited for this renewal over 20 years in the making,” said Lockwood.
Purpose
Review APEGS’ governance structure and activities and make any necessary changes to:
- Create a modernized structure aligned with regulatory responsibilities.
- Increase role clarity.
- Enhance APEGS’s ability to plan and prioritize volunteer and staff activities.
Rationale
- Growth in membership
- A committee structure carried forward from the late 1980s.
- Changes in APEGS’ regulatory environment, including removal of the licence for permission to consult, introduction of a required continuing professional development program and introduction of competency-based experience reporting.
- Provincial governments around the country are making or considering significant changes to the legislation for self-regulated professions.
Background
APEGS announced the governance review in the May/June 2019 issue of The Professional Edge.
APEGS reported progress on the review in the Sept/Oct 2019 issue of The Professional Edge.
The consultant completed the review and submitted all final recommendations to Council in April.
Next steps
Council will be considering each recommendation.
In the meantime, committees will continue with regular operations.
Steering Committee:
Stormy Holmes, P.Eng., Past President (2019-2020)
Bob McDonald, P.Eng., Executive Director and Registrar
Shawna Argue, P.Eng., Director of Registration
Tina Maki, P.Eng., Director of Special Projects, Project Manager
Questions?
If you have questions, please relay them to the Steering Committee through the Project Manager, Tina Maki, P.Eng