OSPE - The Voice - Summer 2013 - (Page 23)

The hon. Glen Murray, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. CONNECTING WITh QuEEN’S PARK OSPE’s 5th Annual MPP Reception showcases engineers in transit and transportation In May more than 80 oSPE board members, Political Action network (PAn) volunteers, task force and committee participants and special guests gathered together with dozens of elected officials and staffers for a casual evening of networking at oSPE’s 5th Annual MPP reception at Queen’s Park. Following introductions by OSPE President and Chair, Paul Acchione, P.Eng., Johnny Zuccon, Deputy Registrar, Tribunals and Regulatory Affairs at PEO, brought greetings and briefly touched on the importance of the repeal of clause 12(3)(a) in the Professional Engineers Act, the so-called “Industrial Exception to Licence.” The theme of the rest of the evening centered on the vital role that engineers and engineering play in all facets of transit and transportation infrastructure in Ontario. “Right now, OSPE sees transit and transportation projects as a particular priority that must not be delayed,” President Acchione said. “As engineers, we don’t care so much how these plans get funded. We just want to see that there is political will to get critical engineering studies underway and to get these projects moving.” The Hon. Glen Murray, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, took to the podium to emphasize the importance of thinking strategically about Ontario’s transportation needs. Minister Murray called on engineers to continue to advocate for adequate funding and sound policy development in order to ensure Ontario’s economic competitiveness and prosperity. Following Minister Murray’s remarks, Jim McDonnell, P.Eng., (Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry) brought greetings on behalf of the Ontario PC Party. The NDP’s Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina) said a few words on behalf of his party. Both representatives applauded engineers for the work that they do. On the heels of the release of Metrolinx’s Investment Strategy, the reception was attended by Metrolinx President and CEO Bruce McCuaig, as well as TTC CEO Andy Byford. OSPE also welcomed several high-level representatives from the engineering sector, including Engineers Canada CEO Kim Allen, P.Eng., Consulting Engineers Ontario CEO Barry Steinberg, P.Eng., and past PEO President Denis Dixon, P.Eng. “Events like this one give us an invaluable opportunity to connect informally with leaders and decision makers,” President Acchione noted. Overall, this year’s MPP reception provided an excellent opportunity for OSPE to urge elected officials from all parties to move forward on transit planning and implementation. Engineers are up to the task of design, construction and operation of the large-scale transit infrastructure that the province so desperately needs. The onus, President Acchione emphasized, is now on politicians to take make it happen. TheVoice Summer 2013 2 3

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of OSPE - The Voice - Summer 2013

OSPE - The Voice - Summer 2013
Contents
Viewpoint
Newsbytes
Anne Sado, P.Eng.
National Engineering Month Ontario 2013
Engaging Tomorrow’s Engineers
Student Ambassador Profile
Innovation
The OSPE Research and Innovation Guide
The Advocacy Agenda
Maintaining and Expanding Our Engineering Capability
Engineers as Leaders
Why Throw It Away?
Connecting with Queen’s Park
Can We Engineer Better Drivers?
Insuring Your Work
Closing the Gap
Bridging the Gap
Learn, Develop, Grow Your Career
Grow Your Engineering Team

OSPE - The Voice - Summer 2013