The eGlance
March 4, 2021
Reminder for engineering services firms to update MTO RAQS ESP Profiles by April 30, 2021
ACEC-Ontario is reminding member firms that the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is requiring Engineering Services Provider (ESP) Firms to update their qualifications information in their RAQS ESP profiles by April 30, 2021.

The ministry’s legacy registry, appraisal and qualification system (RAQS) was replaced in June, 2109 with a new electronic procurement portal, RAQS ESP. Having gone live in November, 2019, the new system is a “one stop” portal enabling firms to manage their participation in ministry procurements from qualification through to vendor performance.

The ministry will no longer be referencing legacy RAQS qualification information as of April 30, 2021. Firms that have not migrated their procurement qualification information to the RAQS ESP system by this date will be treated as a new applicant.

Details on how firms can migrate their legacy information to the new system is located in the recently published MTO notice to Engineering Services Provider (ESP) Firms. A copy of the notice can be downloaded here. 

As always, should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact David Zurawel at dzurawel@ACECOntario.ca or Catherine Morrison, cmorrison@ACECOntario.ca. 
ACEC-Ontario volunteer spotlight on Don Holland, Treasurer
ACEC-Ontario has over 150 incredible volunteers. We wouldn't be able to complete the work of the association without these dedicated professionals. This March, our member volunteer spotlight is on Don Holland, Treasurer on the ACEC-Ontario Board of Directors. Don holds the title of Water Market Leader at GHD Group Ltd.. Thank you Don for your dedication to ACEC-Ontario and everything you contribute.

See Don's volunteer spotlight here.
Intent to Submit deadline March 5th for the 2022 nominations for the Allen D. Williams Scholarship
The Allen D. Williams Scholarship is a prestigious annual award that serves as an incentive for Young Professionals to get involved with their respective Provincial/Territorial Associations to advance the priorities identified by these organizations. In the process, they enhance their knowledge of industry issues and advance their own professional development.

The winner has the opportunity to register for the FIDIC Future Leaders Management Certificate (FLMC) – Fall 2021 (starts January 2022) and will receive up to $5,000 to attend the 2022 FIDIC Conference. There, they will attend sessions geared towards young professionals in the industry while sharing their experiences with young professionals from around the world. Click here to see full details.

View the Intent to Nominate Application Form here due tomorrow, March 5th.
Englobe announces the acquisition of Ontario-based Terraprobe
On March 2nd, Englobe Corporation (Englobe), a Canadian leader in soils, materials and environmental engineering, announced it has acquired Terraprobe, an Ontario-based consulting engineering firm. Terraprobe’s deep technical and engineering expertise will help position Englobe as a leading provider of geotechnical, materials testing and environmental engineering (GME) services in the province. 
IBI Group promotes Audrey Jacob to chief operations director
Toronto-headquartered consulting engineering firm IBI Group has promoted Audrey Jacob to chief operations director, with responsibility for marketing and communications (marcom), human resource (HR) functions and office leases for 60-plus locations around the world. She will also help lead the firm’s ‘diversity, inclusion and belonging’ mandate. Read more.
Free Dig Safe Workshops this month
The Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance is bringing together industry experts in March for a series of free Dig Safe Workshops. The half-hour long sessions will take place from 8 a.m. to noon, March 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 and 25. Don't miss out on hearing from excavation safety presentations from the Ministry of Labour, TSSA, Ministry of Environment on Excess Soil regs, ESA, Ontario One Call, ORCGA, IHSA, and CATT.
NEM panel and networking session
National Engineering Month continues on a virtual platform. We'd like to bring to your attention a Female Engineering Panel Discussion led by the Society of Women Engineers Toronto. In this forum they will discuss community, mutual success and personal/professional development. The two hour event will take place on Thursday March 11th at 6:30PM and will feature four panelists and ten speakers. Register here.
Annual civil and geomatics engineering industry night
The members of the Geomatics Club, CEL and ITE York University have come together to plan Lassonde's Largest Career Fair happening on Monday, March 29, 2021 at 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT. Students can register today.
Waterloo Region wastewater plants turn to cogeneration power
The Region of Waterloo is reducing its environment footprint with a project intended to decrease electrical costs at its three largest wastewater treatment plants.

While the complications created by the global pandemic have set the construction timetable back by four to six months, a $24.1-million project to install cogeneration units at the Kitchener, Galt, and Waterloo plants is now in its final stages, with commissioning expected in the next few months.
Jacobs Engineering Group is the consultant overseeing the design and construction of the systems and W.A. Stephenson Mechanical Contractors Ltd. is the general contractor. Continuing reading article.
Transportation growth plans still going full steam ahead despite pandemic: Mulroney
Plans to grow and improve the transportation network across Ontario will not be slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney told attendees in her address during the Ontario Good Roads Association conference Feb. 22.

“Over the past year I have often been asked if it’s time to reassess our ambitious plans for investing in the province’s transit and transportation infrastructure. I’m always surprised by that question because Ontario’s transportation sector is essential to our economic prosperity,” said Mulroney. “This pandemic has not changed that. Read full article.
Ontario supports modernization of Municipal Services
The Ontario government is providing almost $10 million to help large municipalities find better and more efficient ways to operate and save taxpayers' dollars. This investment is being delivered through the province's Audit and Accountability Fund and will support initiatives that focus on increasing digital services, modernization, streamlining and service integration.

"COVID-19 has highlighted the need for municipalities to be as efficient and nimble as possible, while ensuring services remain financially sustainable today and in the future," said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "Our municipal partners are on the front lines serving their residents, and we are committed to helping them improve how they operate and deliver services, to ensure taxpayers get good value for money."
Ontario increases support for transit across the province
The Ontario government is providing $150 million in additional funding to help municipal transit systems address the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is in addition to the $2 billion previously committed by Ontario and the federal government through the Safe Restart Agreement to help municipalities continue to deliver critical transit services. During the peak of the pandemic, ridership dropped up to 90% of normal levels for some of Ontario's transit systems, which resulted in significant financial impacts for municipalities.

"We heard from municipalities and we are responding to their need for more support as COVID-19 continues to result in lost revenue and additional costs for transit systems," said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. "Transit operators have done an incredible job keeping transit operating during this challenging time, and this support will help ensure there is reliable transportation for people to get to work or pick up essential items." 
Horwath and Scott agree Ontario’s infrastructure deficit needs addressing
If Ontario is going to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government needs to step up and make serious investments in critical infrastructure and local governments, said Andrea Horwath, the leader of the Official Opposition in Ontario, in her address during the Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) virtual conference.

“You’ve done your part against considerable odds and what you deserve as essential partners in local government and as Ontarians is a provincial government that will step up to the plate and do its part,” Horwath told the audience.

Municipalities have been dealing with downloading and funding cuts from provincial governments for decades, added Horwath.
Does your firm have news that you want to share with the Ontario engineering community? Please send stories to Michelle West at mwest@acecontario.ca.
Association of Consulting Engineering Companies | Ontario acecontario.ca
Association of Consulting Engineering Companies | Ontario | acecontario.ca