Proposed Bylaw Amendments: Removal of Permission to Consult and Maintenance of Membership

APEGS is proposing amendments to the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Regulatory Bylaws to remove the permission to consult requirement in Saskatchewan and change the section on maintenance of membership. The proposed amendments will be presented and voted on by members at the APEGS annual meeting on May 2, 2026. If the amendments are approved, they are submitted to the minister responsible for the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act and then printed in the Saskatchewan Gazette.

Who is affected, how, and when?

• Individuals with permission to consult will not be be required to renew it in 2027.
• Organizations with a certificate of authorization who have employees with permission to consult will now declare the area of practice for the member responsible using a revised online certificate of authorization form.
• Unincorporated sole proprietorships will be required to obtain a certificate of authorization at no fee when they renew for 2027.

Why is APEGS proposing these amendments?

• APEGS established the requirement to obtain permission to consult in the 1980s to ensure members applying to provide consulting services had adequate training and knowledge in their declared area of practice.
• Over the years, the requirement was seen as a barrier to free trade and mobility in Canada. Also, the need to exercise this control over the industry became a bottleneck to expedient approvals. The process was overseen by a committee and became unsustainable thus, notices of intent to consult were created and handled internally.
• As the only jurisdiction in Canada that requires permission to consult, it continues to be a barrier to free movement of professionals across Canada.
• Removing permission to consult will reduce confusion, simplify licensure requirements for individuals and organizations, and align APEGS with other Canadian jurisdictions.

For details about the annual meeting and the amendments visit: https://www.apegs.ca/about/annual-meeting-and-professional-development-conference.

APEGS is hosting a webinar on April 23, 2026 for members to learn more before the annual meeting. 🔗 Members can register at Regulatory Bylaw Changes.