President's Message

I sit here at my kitchen table recycling a stale joke for my fifth president’s message while my editor audibly sighs in resignation. This edition does something engineers and geoscientists typically don’t do - we are celebrating our members!

 want to start by giving my coveted first gold star* to our soon-to-be newest professional members that recently completed the Professional Practice Exam. These folks will soon take direct responsibility for their work and contribute to the safety and prosperity of society. I look forward to welcoming them. My second gold star** goes to the engineers at Sasktel for crafting a long acronym (LoRaWAN), and then developing cutting-edge technology to match it. This type of enabling technology will benefit Saskatchewan (and our future robot overlords) for years to come. I was excited to see we have it for the first time.

Segueing from new members and cutting-edge technology, I want to showcase achievements further down the road. My third gold star*** goes to the Orano Cluff Lake Mine decommissioning.

This profile highlights the need for engineers and geoscientists to be involved in the full life cycle of infrastructure in the province. The responsible winding down of sites falls squarely within our ethical duty to protect the environment on behalf of the public. My fourth gold star**** goes to Shawna Argue, P.Eng, FEC, FGC (Hon.), a past-president and current director at APEGS for her recent University of Regina Lifetime Achievement Award. This is a person who absolutely deserves the spotlight for the years of effort she has put into the association. I am proud to count her as a friend and colleague.

Finally, I would direct your eyes to the annual meeting notice in this edition. We are only partially in control of our destiny as we conform to health guidelines, but I have a lot of faith in our planning team and the adaptability they have shown in the past. I look forward to seeing everyone there, in whatever form it takes!

* No cash value. May exchange for a lifetime of unpaid volunteerism with the association.

** Again, no cash value. I am not sure why you thought it would be different.

*** Maybe this gold star was mined from Cluff Lake?

**** Mention this gold star and I am certain Shawna will buy you a coffee and cinnamon bun the next time you see her.