APEGS » Regulation of Firms

The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act mandates APEGS to license firms practicing engineering and/or geoscience as their principal or customary function, requiring them to hold a Certificate of Authorization.

In 2019, APEGS Council committed to reviewing APEGS’ governance structure to ensure alignment with leading practices of self-regulating organizations. The review was to include an assessment of trends in the regulation of professionals and the governance structure of other self-regulating organizations.

As part of that review, APEGS determined that the current legislation required an enhanced regulation of firms program to include all firms employing professional engineers and professional geoscientists. A corporate regulation task group (CRTG) was formed to provide insight into the programs in other jurisdictions, best practices, and, finally, what an enhanced program for APEGS would look like.

In 2024, after final recommendations from the council’s CRTG were received, an advisory group was struck consisting of representatives from a variety of organizations who will shape and inform APEGS’ development and implementation of the enhanced regulation of firms. APEGS welcomed a new manager of firms, Kathryn Black. Kathryn has served as a department head for the engineering and consulting firm KGS Group. Her years of experience also include time with SaskPower, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources, and the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK).

Hasn’t APEGS always regulated corporate entities engaged in engineering or geoscience? What’s new about this initiative?

Historically, APEGS’ corporate regulation efforts have focused primarily on consulting firms and other business entities providing professional engineering or geoscience services outside of their own organizations.

However, after the 2019 APEGS governance review was completed and following the lead of other jurisdictions who regulate all firms employing professional engineers and professional geoscientists, APEGS began moving toward a more inclusive and transparent regulatory approach that applies clear, consistent practices and reporting requirements for all firms in Saskatchewan engaged in professional engineering or professional geoscience activities.

In addition to reviewing the current Certificate of Authorization licensing program and assessing its alignment with other jurisdictions, APEGS will develop a more robust overall approach to regulation of firms.

Why is APEGS looking to increase its oversight of the regulation of firms? What’s the expected outcome?

First and foremost, APEGS can better protect public safety by ensuring that all Saskatchewan entities engaged in engineering and geoscience activities are accountable to the same core standards of practice. The increase in oversight will speak to the core values of ethics, quality management, and professional development for firms operating in Saskatchewan.

Firms, corporations, and institutions will also benefit from clear, consistent, transparent requirements and guidelines along with comprehensive, updated resources and supports from APEGS.

Engineering and geoscience professionals licensed by APEGS will have confidence that their employers will adhere to the same ethics, safety, and practice standards they are accountable to as individual practitioners.

Finally, APEGS’ new approach to the regulation of firms will better serve the intent of the current APEGS legislation and align APEGS with the regulatory approaches of other regulators such as the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and Engineers Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC).

To what kinds of entities and businesses will these requirements now apply?

APEGS will require that all firms engaging in professional engineering or professional geoscience in Saskatchewan, either in-house or for external parties, hold a Certificate of Authorization and develop a Professional Practice Management Plan.

This requirement will apply to consulting firms, crown corporations, government, educational institutions, industrial companies, partnerships, and sole proprietorships. In short, any firm that employs professional engineers or professional geoscientists will be responsible to meet these requirements.

What will enhanced regulation of firms actually look like? What real-life impacts will it have on these organizations?

There is much yet to be determined about the practical implementation of the enhanced regulation of firms, and the impact will vary widely between organizations.

For current Certificate of Authorization holders who have professional practice management plans (PPMP) registered with other jurisdictions, there may not be much impact at all, assuming they are already compliant with APEGS requirements.

For others, the most significant impacts will likely be developing and complying with their PPMP. Entities will be subject to compliance checks and audits, but that oversight program will be developed along with the implementation of the new requirements for firms.

What will the impact be for engineering and geoscience professionals who work in these organizations?

For most licensed professionals practicing in Saskatchewan, the most significant impact (and benefit) will be that their employer is formally required to provide an environment that aligns with and supports the ethical and professional standards of engineering and/or geoscience.

While this is already the case with many organizations, corporations, and other business entities that employ engineering and geoscience professionals, a strengthened regulation of firms program will mean that more APEGS registrants are assured of support in essential elements of practice such as continuing professional development, ethical standards, scope of practice, etc.

How much additional work is this going to create for smaller firms and sole proprietorships?

“Right-sized” regulation is a priority for APEGS and key to our pursuit of modernized, streamlined regulatory approaches. APEGS will work with our advisory group and with volunteering firms and businesses to identify and implement an optimal level of practice management and reporting that is appropriate and reasonable for the organization. There is no “one-size fits all” approach with this initiative.

Organizations that have not developed a PPMP will be required to implement one. The PPMP, for some organizations, will be an extension of their current quality management systems. For others, the PPMP will be a completely new initiative.

APEGS will not dictate how the requirements for the PPMP are implemented. Each organization will be responsible for deciding what best fits their practice. APEGS will only require that the minimum requirements of the program are met. APEGS intends to work closely with sole proprietorships and smaller organizations and tailor the requirements to accommodate their needs.

APEGS intends to accept PPMPs registered in other jurisdictions for use in Saskatchewan. In consultation with our interest holders, we will determine what may be required to make them compliant in Saskatchewan.

APEGS will develop clear sets of guidelines and practical, updated supports and tools to assist organizations with practice management and the development of their PPMP.

What are you doing to ensure that enhanced regulation will be appropriate, reasonable, and practicable for Saskatchewan-based firms and professionals?

The advisory group supporting APEGS in this initiative consists of representatives from a variety of organizations of differing sizes and business models, from large corporations to sole proprietorships. This composition will help ensure that enhanced regulation of firms is implemented with an understanding of diverse business needs, operational realities, and human resource capacities.

APEGS is currently exploring a voluntary approach to the initial stages of the regulation of firms, examining how APEGS can best support entities in developing their policies and practices.

When will these new requirements come into effect?

Although APEGS and the advisory group have begun laying out foundational plans and priorities for the enhanced regulation of firms, we have not determined exact timing for implementation. APEGS is undertaking a thoughtful and measured approach to this initiative.

In the coming year, APEGS plans to focus on engagement with organizations that will be affected by the enhanced regulation of firms, and on piloting policies and practices with organizations who volunteer to partner with APEGS in the early stages of the initiative.

Timelines for mandatory compliance are yet to be determined.

How can I stay informed about this?

As the enhanced regulation of firms begins to take clearer shape, APEGS will be organizing engagement and information opportunities to ensure that interest holders are informed and prepared.

In the meantime, you can always visit apegs.ca/regulation-of-firms for the latest information. Also, watch for updates in our e-newsletter, The Edge Monthly, issued on the 15th of every month or the next business day.

Do you have more questions about APEGS’ regulation of firms? Please send your questions and feedback in an email to corporatepractice@apegs.ca with “Regulation of Firms” as the subject title.