2023-03-24 05:46:10
The Government Relations Committee, under the chairmanship of Bob van den Berg, C.E.T., held its inaugural meeting in early August to establish terms of reference, develop strategies and agree on a plan which will be presented to OACETT Council for its consideration and approval. Chairman van den Berg reports that he was pleased with the outcome of the meeting, due in large part to the extensive experience and diversity of the committee members and their enthusiasm to move forward with the committee’s mandate. The committee members include:
Bob van den Berg, C.E.T., Chairman; Steve Barnes, C.E.T.; Greg Miller, C.E.T.; Norm Sandberg, C.E.T.; André Tardif, C.E.T.; Ron Walker, C.E.T.; Tara Welbourn, C.E.T. and Gordon Masters, CAE, FCGA, OACETT’s Director of Government Relations.
The committee will be closely monitoring the activities of the government and other organizations to ensure OACETT members who are qualified to perform job related skills in the workplace are not denied rights that are important to their careers and livelihood. As an example, an OACETT member is appealing a long standing complaint to the Building Code Commission based on the fact some municipalities are requiring that his drawings be stamped by an Engineer, when in fact he is fully qualified to submit the drawings based on his qualifications, including being a member of OACETT, and his extensive experience. OACETT is supporting the member’s issue by offering professionl support at the BCC Hearings. This is an issue that affects other members as well; therefore, it’s important to do what is necessary to have the matter resolved in favour of the OACETT member. OACETT Council stands firmly behind the member’s rights on this code issue. This is one example that OACETT wants to ensure that members who are qualified to perform job related skills in the workplace are not denied rights that are important to their careers and livelihood. We will keep you posted on the outcome of this issue.
Three critical areas that the Government Relations Committee identified at its recent meeting for OACETT Council to consider and approve are:
■ Government Outreach – identifying key Ontario government ministries and individuals to assist OACETT in meeting its goals; developing and delivering an effective communications plan; working cooperatively with municipalities, who in the past have been supportive advocates for the recognition of OACETT members; and to actively promote the benefits that OACETT members offer in regard to public safety, and cost effectiveness and value in the workplace.
■ Legislative Issues – OACETT will continue to support members’ Qualified Persons issues; develop position papers on relevant issues that affect members; and develop a communications plan to keep the membership and government informed.
■ Grassroots – an important part of any association is its chapter network. The Government Relations Committee is proposing to develop a government relations awareness and training plan for chapter members; identify and recruit chapter advocates; and establish an ongoing and consistent communications network utilizing The Ontario Technologist, e-mail, website, chapter information meetings and social media.
The Government Relations Committee looks forward to a productive and ongoing government relations effort that will involve the total membership; your continuing support in promoting the awareness and benefits of OACETT membership is much appreciated.
In the July/August 2011 issue of The Ontario Technologist we incorrectly stated that OACETT Council member Tara Welbourn, C.E.T worked for Numet Engineering Limited. Tara actually works for Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear Canada. The editorial staff regrets the error.
OACETT is supporting the member’s issue by offering professional support at the BCC Hearings.
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