Regulation of Firms

January 2024

APEGS has been working on a program to improve the regulation of firms further to recommendations from the corporate registrant task group approved March 2023. To establish the program, APEGS is undertaking the following work:

  • Developing a comprehensive framework that includes professional standards and guides for individuals and firms. The framework will be established based on a three-pillar regulatory model of ethics, quality management and continuing professional development.
  • Making changes to The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act and bylaws to improve the ability for APEGS to regulate firms.
  • Developing a practice review program regarding the practices of firms and individuals to ensure that they comply with the changes to the act and bylaws.

APEGS is striving to complete this program by January 2026. However, there are many factors that affect the schedule for this work, including other changes to the act and bylaws, so it is important for members to stay informed. Further details will be provided to members throughout 2024 and 2025 in The Edge Monthly e-newsletter (delivered to your inbox on the 15th day of each month or next business day), webinars, and PD days.

March 2023

APEGS is developing a new program to license and regulate entities practicing engineering and geoscience in Saskatchewan based on APEGA’s and EGBC’s permit to practice. The program will require entities to have policies and procedures about:

  • Practice areas or scope of engineering and/or geoscience in which the firm operates.
  • Code of conduct and ethical practice, including how they align and reinforce behaviours in keeping with APEGS’ code of ethics.
  • Continuing education and professional development, including how they align with APEGS’ continuing professional development program and help employees remain competent in their roles and practice areas.
  • Quality management in areas including but not limited to retaining project documentation, checking work, authenticating documents, direct supervision, and project execution.

APEGS’ council approved this direction further to the Corporate Registrant Task Group providing it recommendations on March 2. The task group was sunset on the same day, since their terms were completed upon providing recommendations to the council.

To create, implement, and deliver this new program requires the appropriate policies, systems, and human resources as well as changes to either APEGS’ bylaws and/or the The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act. Therefore, APEGS expects to implement the program in three years.

It is important that APEGS has the ability to regulate entities as part of its mandate to protect the public, since many professional decisions that were once made by individuals are increasingly determined by the policies and procedures of the entities that employ those individuals.