OSPE - The Partnership Guide 2021 - 25

OSPE submits a response to ERO
019-1712: Environmental assessment
modernization: amendment proposals
for Class Environmental Assessments.
Engineers note that the proposal to
exempt certain projects from the
requirements of the Environmental
Assessment Act, subject to certain
conditions to be set out in a future
regulation, has the potential to diminish
the environmental protections that
would otherwise be in place.
OSPE presents to the Ministry of the
Environment, Conservation and Park's
Advisory Panel on Climate Change
regarding the impact of flooding on
homeowners. Engineers identify the
need to prioritize the update of the
province's floodplain mapping, as well as
focusing on obtaining all the pertinent
data and information on the status of
Ontario's infrastructure. This starts by
undertaking a full provincial impact
assessment to identify where and how
climate change and flooding in particular,
is likely to impact Ontario's communities.
OSPE responds to PEO's Guideline for
Providing Engineering Services Under
O. Reg. 1/17 and Part II.2 of the EPA.
OSPE identifies that Section 4:
Responsibilities of the LEP does not
explain exactly what the requisite
qualifications are. We believe that this
Guide would be strengthened by
explaining this in detail. Section 6.6
Professional Competency and Disclosure
should also recommend the disclosure of
formal training that the person has had.
OSPE signs Memorandum of
Understanding with Society of Women
Engineers Ottawa Chapter.
Engineers meet with the Office of the
Minister of Innovation, Science, and
Economic Development. The discussion
focused on the importance of supporting
research and development activities, with
a strong focus on local
commercialization, including
development and protection of
intellectual property for Ontario and
Canada's benefit (IP).

August
OSPE hosts non-member town hall to
discuss issues of importance to the
engineering community. OSPE
President and Chair, Réjeanne Aimey,
P.Eng., engaged with non-members,
sharing what OSPE is currently doing to
advance the interests of the engineering
community.
Engineers release a statement
regarding The Eglinton Crosstown
West Extension and The Scarborough
Subway Extension. OSPE's
Infrastructure Task Force has been calling
on all levels of government to retain

expert engineering input on transit
infrastructure to guarantee short and
long-term transportation planning that
best serves the Greater Toronto and
Hamilton Area for several years. OSPE
urges the government to publicly release
its entire costed plan and consult with
engineers when it comes to transit
development.

September
OSPE sends letters to both the
Ontario and federal governments
outlining long-term actions needed for
the economic recovery of the province
and nation because of the COVID-19
crisis. The long-term letters provided
recommendations that built on phase 1
and phase 2 of the economic recovery
plan proposed by engineers. These
focused on additional medium and
long-term supports that create a
prosperous transition to a knowledge
-based, innovative economy that
engineers are key in helping create and
sustain.
Engineers report that Ontario Wasted
Enough Clean Electricity to Power
720,000 Homes in 2019, 12% More
than in 2018. Following a detailed
analysis of year-end data issued by the
Independent Electricity System Operator
(IESO) and Ontario Power Generation
(OPG), OSPE is reporting that in 2019, the
province wasted a total of 6.5
terawatt-hours (TWh) of clean electricity -
an amount sufficient to power 720,000
typical homes for one year. This data was
highlighted by several media outlets,
including: Business Wire, Toronto Sun,
Global News, Financial Post, National
Post, Toronto City News, North American
Clean Energy, The Vulcan Advocate,
among others.

October
OSPE is invited to participate in a
pre-budget consultation with the
Ontario Government. The submission
includes the recommendations
developed by engineers for the
short-term and long-term economic
recovery of the province.
Recommendations presented are sorted
into three strategic areas: engineering
workforce, sustainability, and innovation.
After consultation with OSPE
members, CBC reports about the
widespread forgery of an engineer's
seal. Without a strong regulator focused
on protecting the public and the
environment, the public perception of
the engineering community in Ontario
will continue to be in jeopardy. OSPE has
been advocating for changes at PEO for
years, calling on its leadership to solely
focus on their primary objective to
regulate the practice of professional
engineering.

OSPE engages in talks with opposition
MPPs regarding the need for
regulatory reform in the engineering
profession. OSPE met with the
following MPPs:
* MPP Stephen Blais (Liberal- Critic for
Municipal Affairs)
* MPP Gurratan Singh (NDP- Critic for the
Attorney General)
* MPP Sara Singh (NDP- Critic for
Municipal Affairs and Housing)
* MPP Michael Mantha (NDP- Critic
Northern Development and Mines)
* MPP Lucille Collard (Liberal- Critic for
the Attorney General)
* MPP Mike Schreiner (Green Party)
Engineers participate in consultation
roundtable with the Honourable Lisa
Thompson, Minister of Government
and Consumer Services. The
consultation seeks to strengthen privacy
protections in Ontario. Engineers
discussed the importance of protecting
the public while taking a harmonized
approach to privacy legislation so as not
to inhibit economic growth and
innovation.
OSPE signs Memorandum of
Understanding with The Neil Squire
Society.

November
Engineers host annual diversity and
inclusion forum The #EDIAdvantage.
The event took place virtually and
brought together 2000+ delegates from
across Canada to discuss why achieving
diversity and inclusion in engineering
and STEM more broadly will change the
Ontario and Canadian economies for the
better.
OSPE submits a response to ERO
019-2462 Extending Grandfathering
for Infrastructure Projects and
Providing Additional Flexibility for
Excess Soil Reuse
Engineers respond to ERO 019-2377
Proposed Project List for
comprehensive environmental
assessments under the Environmental
Assessment Act (EAA). Engineers call
for increased clarity, better federal and
provincial alignment, as well as proper
consultation with Indigenous Peoples.

December
OSPE hosts women in engineering
panel in partnership with the
University of Toronto, Spin Master,
and the OSPE Exchange hubs. The
discussion focused on the inspiring
stories of three leaders in the engineering
profession who have overcome barriers
and are paving the way for a more
diverse and inclusive future.

25
OSPE - The Partnership Guide 2021

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