AOLS In Sight 
Issue 3
February 5, 2021
In This Issue
Virtual Annual General Meeting 2021



This is a reminder of our 129th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors scheduled for Wednesday, February 24 to Friday, February 26. Originally to be held in beautiful London, Ontario, this year will be an unprecedented digital event.

The theme of this year's meeting "Dealing with Changing Times" could not be more appropriate, both professionally and looking at the world around us. We've put together an agenda full of sessions that will help all of us though these unprecedented times as well as sharpen our technical skills.

This year's AGM will be like none other before it, a completely digital conference utilizing all the technical innovations we now have to bring friends and colleagues together. Most, if not all of the event that make our AGMs so great will be included and available to be enjoyed remotely.

Opening ceremonies will be on Wednesday morning including remarks from our Minister, the Hon. John Yakabuski. Next up is the keynote speaker Rhonda Scarf who will tell us about 'Alexa' taking our jobs and life coach Amelia Valenti's thoughts on dealing with change. Thursday's educational sessions will include new title searching tools, GPS quality control and tips on estimating and scheduling. Virtual exhibit halls and sponsor presentations will be included. Friday's lineup will include the usual business meeting, committee reports and swearing in of the new president followed by an on-line Open Forum.

The face to face social events we have shared at past AGMs and the camaraderie that comes with them will not be included. However, where possible, and including the all important swearing in of our new members, digital events have been created as close as possible to the real thing. The AOLS staff has done great work duplicating the magic of these meeting and I am confident the spirit will be felt regardless. Being a community, we'll still share a digital toast and drink even if it is in our living rooms and dens. One more side benefit to consider: the drive or flight back home at the end of a fulfilling yet exhausting AGM should be considerably reduced!

This should be an exciting AGM, certainly one for the record books and I look forward to seeing you there...digitally!

Please see attached link to register for this event.

Bruce Parker, AGM Chair

Veterans' Pins

We have received several requests about the Veterans' Dinner and pins that would have been handed out. Unfortunately, based on the response from a membership survey, we have decided not to have social events as part of our virtual annual general meeting.  This includes the Veterans' Dinner. We hope to bring this back next year and will hand out pins at that time.


New Committee to Address Harassment and Discrimination
  
Council reviewed the results of the harassment and discrimination survey, which are posted on the members' portal here. Clearly work is required and Council would like to form a Committee to help guide them in developing actions and material. We are looking for volunteers to help with this Committee. Please contact the Executive Director: Executivedirector@aols.org if you are interested in participating.


Reminder:
Webinar on Regulation Changes 
February 18, 2021 - 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
The AOLS has been working on proposed regulation changes over the last several years. Although the Legislation and Regulations Task Force had attended Regional Groups to discuss the proposed changes, a couple of years have passed. Council approved the proposed regulations on January 26th and will be putting them to a vote of the membership.  This webinar will walk through the proposed changes and answer questions that may arise.  It will be eligible for a one-hour credit towards professional development.  Please register here.


Reminder:  What's My Name Contest
A contest to name the AOLS character for the Get Kids into Survey (GKiS) Transportation Poster
 
The Public Awareness Committee and Geomatics Recruitment Liaison Committee have joined forces to reach out to Generation Z students in high Schools. A company in the UK connected to the geomatics industry has launched a global campaign to get kids interested in the land surveying/geomatics profession. AOLS is the only Canadian survey organization participating in the program.
 
AOLS has sponsored a transportation poster created by GET KIDS into SURVEY (getkidsintosurvey.com) to promote land surveying to students, teachers, and parents. GKiS requires a cartoon character representing the AOLS to be embedded in the poster and appear occasionally in the GKiS comic. The about-to-be-famous "Kid Surveyor" character needs a name. Create a name and WIN an AGM registration refund. The winner and character name will be announced at the AGM.
 
The character's name must be gender-neutral and appeal to children aged 9 to 16.
 
ELIGIBILITY TO ENTER THE CONTEST
AGM-registered member of the AOLS
 
NAME SELECTION
The winning name will be selected by members of PAC and GRLC. The winner will be announced by the AOLS Executive Director at the AGM. The winner's registration fee will be refunded after the AGM. Only one name per member.
 
ENTRY
Go to https://www.aols.org/contact. Fill in your name, email address and phone number, and enter the character name in the message box.
 
Good luck! See you online at our AGM, February 24-26. See the contest flyer attached.



LandPRO Conference
March 3, 2021 - 8:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
by:  Protect Your Boundaries

The CPD Time for the 2021 LandPRO Conference will be
4 Formal ad 2 Professional (Meeting Attendance) hours.
 
Join us for the 6th annual LandPRO conference
 
LandPRO is the premier "how-to" conference for land, condo, real estate and development professionals in the Greater Toronto Area and throughout Ontario.
 
We have 7 Industry Leaders as speakers & 2 expert Panels: Ben Tal CIBC World Markets, Harry Herskowitz of DelZotto, Zorzi LLP, Dan Marinovic of Dream, Joe Vaccaro of OHBA, Bonnie Chan of ZO1 and many more (full agenda at www.landproconference.com)
 
Topics include: Economic update, HCRA Transition, The Future of Office Space, Shared Facilities  Panel, Future Tech, Affordable Housing, Automated Parking Garages & more
 
Register online today ($350+tax)
 
Use code AOLS15 for 15% off your ticket price
 
For more information, and to register visit www.landproconference.com



News Release:
Ontario's New Home Builder Regulator 
TORONTO, February 1, 2021 - A new Ontario regulator, improving protection for new home buyers, started operations on February 1st. The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) is now responsible for regulating and licensing the people and companies who build and sell new homes in the province.

"The HCRA will enforce high professional standards for competence and conduct in the homebuilding industry, giving new home buyers confidence in one of the biggest purchases of their lives," said Tim Hadwen, Interim CEO of the HCRA. "We will also ensure consistency across the sector, curtailing unethical and illegal builders and maintaining a fair marketplace."

In addition to licensing, the HCRA provides educational information for consumers on their home buying journey, and manages the Ontario Builder Directory (OBD) - the official source of background information about each of Ontario's more than 5,000 new home builders and vendors. The OBD provides current information on each builder and vendor's licence status and specifics such as whether they have had any convictions, the number of homes they have built, and their warranty history. It also lists illegal builders and provides details about charges and convictions to better inform and protect consumers.

The HCRA is also implementing a streamlined complaints process, providing a clear, straightforward way for a new home buyer to raise real concerns about a builder or vendor's conduct.

An independent regulator, the HCRA takes over the licensing function from Tarion. Previously, Tarion was responsible for both licensing and warranty administration. Tarion will continue to deliver Ontario's new home warranty and protection program.
A separate licensing body was recommended by a major review of Ontario's homebuilding sector.
"In essence, the HCRA will ensure professional standards for the builder, and Tarion will backstop responsibility for the building," Hadwen said.

Recognizing that some consumers and builders may not immediately know where to turn, the HCRA and Tarion are committed to a "no wrong door" approach, seamlessly directing stakeholders to the right place to deal with their specific issues.
For additional information, visit www.hcraontario.ca.


Do you have suggestions for the AOLS In Sight content?

 

If you have come across some information that you think will be of interest to other members, please let us know by emailing cgambier@aols.org. Your suggestions are always welcome!

 

 

View our profile on LinkedIn Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our videos on YouTube

 

AGM 2021 Sponsors
We would like to thank our Sponsors for their generous support.  We could not have done this AGM without you. Your contributions are greatly appreciated!
 
EVENT SPONSOR

A J Gallagher


SUSTAINING SPONSORS

Brandt


Cansel
cansel.ca


Horizon Measurements
horizonmeasurements.com


Protect Your Boundaries



Leica
AOLS in Social Media 
The AOLS Group on LinkedIn has reached
690 members!
Join up to network with peers, students and recruiters:
 
View our profile on LinkedIn


"Like" the AOLS page and follow us on Facebook: Like us on Facebook


Follow us on Twitter:
Follow us on Twitter

Subscribe to our channel on YouTube:
View our videos on YouTube



Quick Links 

 

OPS Magazine (Winter 2021)

 


 

If you would like to advertise in the OPS magazine, please contact admin@aols.org

 

 

Donate to the
Educational Foundation

Donate to the Educational Foundation here!

 

 

In Sight Archive
AOLS In Sight Archive is available on our website: check out past newsletter issues under the Media section.


Other Organizations' Newsletters
Four Point Learning
Case Commentaries on Property Title and Boundary Law
 
 
Professional Surveyors Canada:

Click here for the archives page for the latest Horizon and e-communiqué.
Stay informed about what is happening in your national surveyor community!

 

Click on the logo to go to the PSC website:

 
Esri Canada
(October 2020)