OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2012 - (Page 23)

PAN EXPANDS OuTREACh TO OTTAWA OSPE Political Action Network meeting actively with federal MPs Effective advocacy means building long-term relationships with stakeholders and elected officials across all parties. The hon. Charles Sousa, MPP, with Scott hubbard, P.Eng. Mehemed Delibasic, P.Eng., with Christine Elliott, MPP Since 2006, volunteer members of OSPE’s Political Action Network (PAN) have helped keep provincial government decision makers and members of the opposition informed of issues of interest to the engineering profession, including energy, infrastructure, innovation and more. Starting in May 2012, PAN volunteers have expanded their outreach to include Ontario-based MPs and federal ministers with portfolios of interest to engineers. As a member-driven organization, OSPE actively engages engineers in helping to amplify the voice of the profession. OSPE’s PAN is a grassroots initiative that provides the platform for individual OSPE members to play a key role in this important process. By meeting face-to-face with elected officials on a regular basis, PAN members help ensure that the voice of the profession is heard, especially when public policy decisions are made in areas that involve engineers and engineering practice. In ridings across Ontario, 89 PAN volunteers meet semi-annually with MPPs and now MPs, not only informing them about issues but also encouraging them to adopt specific OSPE policy solutions. OSPE is now actively seeking new PAN volunteers to ensure representation in as many ridings as possible province-wide. Plans are underway for a fall training session for all new PAN volunteers. If you are an OSPE member interested in taking an active role in advocating for your profession, please send an email to advocacy@ospe.on.ca. You can also visit the OSPE website for more information. hErE’S whAT PAn MEMBErS ArE SAYInG ABOUT ThEIr ExPErIEnCES AS FrOnT-LInE ADvOCATES: Keith Aldridge, P.Eng., with hon. Carolyn Bennett, MP Bringing OSPE to the federal level was a very important step, particularly when our message invites government leaders to tap the knowledge and experience of the engineering community when looking for solutions to the many problems that our country faces. Although OSPE’s focus is provincial, securing support from members of parliament for our initiatives is crucial. – Alberto Quiroz, P.Eng. You can only make a difference when you make your voice heard and interests known. We who volunteer with PAN are making our voice heard in the political field, with the ultimate hope of one day, in some way, making a positive impact both in our generation and for generations to come. – bola Otaraki I believe that you can only get out what you put in. The OSPE Political Action Network is great for those who love to meet people and gain insights into how this province is governed. As a result of OSPE’s PAN, I like to think that provincial politicians have greater respect for what engineers add to the provincial economy. – ray Berzins, P.Eng. Ray Luft, P.Eng., with Ontario NDP Leader Andrea horwath, MPP, and Domenic Mattina, P.Eng. TheVoice Fall 2012 2 3

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2012

OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2012
Contents
Viewpoint
Newsbytes
A Great Day on the Green
Don’t Miss the 65th OPEA Gala
Engaging Tomorrow’s Engineers
Renaissance Plan
The Business End of Engineering
Profile: Pierre Lassonde, P.Eng.
Continuing Professional Development: Mandatory or Not?
PAN Expands Outreach to Ottawa
BIG Engineering
You’ve just had an auto accident. Now what?
Ask the Expert: Facing a Complaint
Keep Yourself Covered
What’s 2 + 2? Depends Who’s Answering!
Custom-built Learning for Engineers
Coming Up

OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2012