The eGlance
October 29, 2020
Ontario Engineering Project Awards (OEPA) Date Extensions
We have spoken with ACEC-Ontario member firms regarding the current landscape, we understand and we heard you. ACEC-Ontario has decided to extend the timelines around the 2021 OEPA program (formerly OCEA).

We believe that it may be more important than ever this year to take the time to recognize and celebrate, to connect and to feel a part of the community of engineering in Ontario. The OEPA program is a showcase opportunity for your firm’s achievements. We will celebrate your successes and the show will go on!

The revised milestone dates are:

Intent to Submit: December 31, 2020
Submission Deadline: January 21, 2021
Submission Evaluation: February 10-11, 2021
Awards Ceremony: May 20, 2021
 
Click here for Intent to Submit form.
R.V. Anderson Associates Limited is growing and expanding their services!
Considering challenging and uncertain times, R.V. Anderson Associates Limited (RVA) is proud to announce that we have now expanded our offices to include a Halton, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia location. We are making accessibility a greater option to better serve our clients.

RVA’s offices across Ontario and Eastern Canada are now also offering a full suite of ecological services – from the collection of existing conditions data, to the assessment of impacts and application of mitigation measures during design, through to environmental monitoring during and post-construction. RVA’s ecological services team works with clients and regulatory agencies to obtain the permits required to complete projects on time and avoid potentially costly delays.
Anthony Karakatsanis of the Morrison Hershfield Group Was Named Chair of the ACEC Board of Directors 2020-2021
ACEC-Canada is pleased to announce that Anthony Karakatsanis, P.Eng., President and CEO of the Morrison Hershfield Group has been named to the position of Chair of the ACEC Board of Directors for the 2020-2021 term. The announcement was made at the ACEC annual general meeting of members held virtually on October 27, 2020.

Mr. Karakatsanis first joined the ACEC-Canada Board in 2016 and served on various committees. During his term as ACEC Chair, he looks to build upon the excellent work of his predecessor Lawrence Lukey, P.Eng., and will continue to promote the important role of consulting engineers in Canadian society. Read full release.
Sylvia Jungkind of WSP Receives ACEC-Canada Chair’s Award
ACEC-Canada is pleased to announce that Sylvia Jungkind, CIP, CRM of WSP Canada Inc. is the recipient of the 2020 ACEC Chair’s Award. Ms. Jungkind was selected for this year’s award in recognition of her years of service on ACEC’s Business Practices Advisory Committee, formerly ACEC’s Contracts Committee.

She has also represented ACEC on the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) for over 8 years. She is also a member of the CCDC Surety Sub-Committee, Chair of the CCDC Insurance Sub-Committee, and since November 2016, the CCDC Vice-Chair. Read more.
J.L. Richards & Associates Is Proud Prime Consultant on this State-of-the-Art Agri-Food Research Facility
A new $6.5-million field crop services building at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus should help attract researchers and students, the parliamentary assistant to the Ontario minister of agriculture said during a recent visit.

MPP Randy Pettapiece, who announced the project on behalf of Minister Ernie Hardeman, said the old building from the 1940s is “constructed like a bunker.” “It’s not the most friendly place to work in, and that’s what researchers are looking for. They’re looking for first class,” he said. “Once you get those people here, and their names get out there, that will attract their students.”

The 1,115-square-metre (12,000-square-foot) building will have six labs and focus on areas such as seed processing, seed cleaning and storage, said Ridgetown campus director Ken McKewan. Read more.
MEA OPS "101" Course/Webinar: November 16-17, 2020
The MEA is offering a course/webinar on Ontario Provincial Standards (OPS). It will be delivered in 2 modules over 2 days at approximately 2-hours per day.

This course/webinar will provide an overview of OPS for Roads and Public Works (OPS), the rational/history regarding OPS, it's governance and the benefits of using these harmonized standards. The fundamental elements of typical public works contact, and the means of building better contracts using OPS manuals will be explained through group exercises. Other critical components in contract development will be discussed in the municipal public works context. Case studies will be used to explore the real-world applications of these topics.
Tune In Tonight - The CCE Awards Celebrate Engineering Success
The Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards, co-sponsored by ACEC-Canada and Canadian Consulting Engineer magazine, celebrates the important contributions made by the consulting engineering industry to the social, economic and environmental quality of life of Canadians and people around the world. Join us as we celebrate our industry with a virtual awards celebration, which will be aired on Thursday, October 29th at 7pm ET.
OSPE's Diversity and Inclusion Forum - The #EDIAdvantage
The Diversity and Inclusion advantage is simple. Diversity and Inclusion leads to more talent, more innovation, more competitiveness, and more growth.

Innovation and competitiveness are the results of organizations that promote diversity and foster inclusion. Strategic sectors of the economy, such as advanced manufacturing, agri-business and nutraceuticals, logistics and warehousing, and creative industries, depend on our ability to work together to foster new ideas, recruit new talent, and leverage new skills.

ACEC-Ontario is a proud supporter and community partner of #EDIAdvantage. Join us on November 26 & 27, 2020.
New RCCAO, OCS Survey Shows Impact of COVID-19 on Civil, Engineering Sectors
The newly released Coronavirus Contractor Survey: Spotlight on Civil/Engineering Sector, finds COVID-19 has significantly impacted Ontario’s civil and engineering contractors and has resulted in a dramatic drop in tenders being issued for municipal projects. Read more.
Calling all PEO Licence Holders - Here's Your Chance to Make a Difference.
PEO is encouraging members to help build a stronger regulator by seeking a position on our Council or by nominating a qualified colleague before the November 27, 2020 submission deadline. 

PEO is seeking candidates for the 2021 Council elections that reflect the diversity of its membership and who can provide a balanced perspective and problem-solving attitude to all discussions, are knowledgeable about board governance and understand the principles behind professional self-regulation. Participate in the governance of your profession by seeking a position on PEO’s 2021-2022 Council or nominating a fellow engineer to run for election. Read more.
Join a 2020 ORCGA Geographic Council
ORCGA Geographic Councils are 13 local meetings held across the province, twice yearly. The purpose of these meetings is to deliver a consistent message of “damage prevention is a shared responsibility”.

Geographic Councils help you to connect and network with local communities to discuss and promote damage prevention, the Best Practices, the ORCGA, and local developing issues. Expand your contact networks and business development opportunities, at both the local and provincial level. Read further details here.
Ontario Takes Steps to Accelerate the Building of Key Infrastructure Projects
Ontario Rebuilding and Recovery Act, 2020 Would Lay the Foundation for Job Creation and a Strong Economic Recovery

The Ontario government is introducing a package of legislative and policy measures that would, if passed, accelerate the building of key infrastructure projects to create jobs and lay the foundation for a strong economic recovery. The Ontario Rebuilding and Recovery Act, 2020 would support the construction of better-connected highways and public transit networks, transit-oriented communities, and affordable housing.

Details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford, Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA). Read more.
PEO's Environmental Site Assessment, Remediation and Management Guideline
Published in July 2020 the Environmental Site Assessment, Remediation and Management guideline highlights professional and ethical responsibilities as well as benchmarks on professional practice and quality of work required of professional engineers practicing in this field.

The guideline recognizes the multidisciplinary nature of such work, and that other professionals may be involved to provide complementary skills and knowledge as required for certain sites and/or stages in the remediation work.
Mississauga's Plans for ‘Vital’ $71M Port Credit Marina in Doubt After Province Denies Funding Pitch
Long-standing plans to keep the port in Mississauga’s Port Credit neighbourhood could be in jeopardy.

An application worth $71.3 million for a publicly owned marina and park project was rejected by the province, leaving the city searching for funding and time running out.

Mary Simpson, president of the Town of Port Credit Association, said news of the funding rejection came as a “total shock.” Read more.
Does your firm have an interesting article or news that you want the Ontario Engineering world to know about? Please have 'your people' talk to 'our people", email us at mwest@acecontario.ca.
Association of Consulting Engineering Companies | Ontario acecontario.ca
Association of Consulting Engineering Companies | Ontario | acecontario.ca