A celebration of engineeringachievements by members of the Manitoba Consulting

Engineering industry took placeApril 20 at the 7th Annual ManitobaAwards of Excellence in ConsultingEngineering held at the WinnipegConvention Centre. Winners wereannounced at a dinner attended byover 300 guests including represen-tatives of the engineering industry,government and Manitoba’s busi-ness community.

Hosted by the ConsultingEngineers of Manitoba (CEM), this prestigious annual event recognizes the achievements of con-sulting engineers in Manitoba, their contributions to society and servesas a prominent showcase of theindustry’s outstanding products andservices. The CEM Awards were, bypopular demand, hosted by Masterof Ceremonies Mr. Peter Jordan,Gemini-award winning televisionpersonality with CBC television.Musical performance throughout theevening was provided by the DavidLawton Jazz Quartet. ElizabethMurray, “honourary piper” to QueenElizabeth II, piped in the dignitariesduring their entrance to the Awardsceremonies.

Seventeen projects, ranging in size and complexity, were submitted by consulting engineeringfirms in one or more award cate-gories. From this selection, Awardsof Excellence and Merit were pre-sented in five categories: BuildingEngineering, Infrastructure,Industrial, Environmental, andInnovation. Projects ranged fromlarge, high profile projects toequally impressive projects with significant engineering challenges,yet less public profile. Collectively,

the projects in contention provided a good cross-section of the various areas of expertise that CEMMember Firms apply to assignmentsbenefiting Manitobans and also toother assignments in markets acrossCanada and in countries throughoutthe world.

Judging was conducted by a“Blue Ribbon” panel of esteemedindependent industry professionals,chaired by the University ofManitoba’s Dean of GraduateStudies, Dr. Jay Doering P. Eng. .The judging panel included BarryMacBride, P. Eng., City ofWinnipeg, Dr. Doug Ruth, P. Eng.,Dean of Engineering, University of Manitoba, Dr. James Blatz, P.Eng. of the University of Manitoba,Lawrence Ferchoff, P. Eng., past-president of APEGM, Dr.Digvir Jayas, P. Eng. University ofManitoba, Jim Thomson, P. Eng. of the Manitoba FloodwayAuthority, John Markowsky, P. Eng.of Manitoba Hydro, and Bill Larkin,

P. Eng. of the City of Winnipeg.Each project was subjected to a critical review and was evaluated on its demonstration of seven keyareas: innovation, added value,advancement of technology, techni-cal excellence, degree of difficulty,management of risk, and mostimportantly, benefit to society.

As is CEM tradition, theKeystone Award, an overall “Best ofEvent” award, was presented to the

project that best demonstrated thestandards of excellence in productand service upheld by the Awards of Excellence Program. In addition,two individual honours werebestowed upon CEM members – the recently instituted “EngineeringAction Award” signifying outstand-ing service and dedication to CEM,the Canadian consulting engineeringprofession and the community

The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientistsof the Province of Manitoba

JUNE 2006www.apegm.mb.ca

Publications Mail Agreement Number 40062980

In This Issue:

■ Mining’s Back at theProspectors and DevelopersAnnual Convention

■ Winnipeg Airport SiteRedevelopment

■ The Business Of ClimateChange

2006 ConsultingEngineers of ManitobaAwards of ExcellenceN.J. Kelly, P.Eng.

Continued on page 6

Keystone Award – Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd. – The MillenniumLibrary Project and presenters George Esau, Oldfield Kirby Esau Inc, andJill Eagleson, XL Insurance, CEM Title Sponsors. Crosier also received an Award of Excellence in the Building Engineering category presented by Ron Hambley and John Bockstael representing sponsor WinnipegConstruction Association.

Presenter and CEM President-Elect Roger Rempel, P. Eng. and 2006Engineering Action Award winner John Woods, P. Eng.

Presenter Roy McPhail, P. Eng. and2006 Lifetime Achievement AwardWinner Alv Dyregov, P. Eng.

JUNE 2006

Published by the Association of Professional Engineers andGeoscientists of the Province of Manitoba

850A Pembina Highway, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 2M7

Ph. (204) 474-2736 Fax (204) 474-5960E-Mail: apegm@apegm.mb.ca

APEGM COUNCILD.S. Jayas, P.Eng. (President); A.D. Silk, P.Eng. (Past President); A. Ascher; J.A. Blatz, P.Eng.; A.M. Chapman; M.T. Corkery, P.Geo.;W.C. Girling, P.Eng.; D.D.J. Himbeault, P.Eng.; J.W.P. Lengyel, P.Geo.;B.R. Malenko, P.Eng.; B.J. Miller, P.Eng.; E.M. Ryczkowski, P.Eng.;B.L. Shortt; R.L. Taylor, P.Eng.

CHAIRS – BOARDS & COMMITTEESR.J.J. Herrmann, P.Eng. Aboriginal Professional InitiativeI. Ferguson, P.Geo. Academic ReviewJ.M. Symonds, P.Eng. AwardsS.B. Williamson, P.Eng. CommunicationsD.N. Spangelo, P.Eng. DisciplineR. Ludwick, P.Eng. Emerging IssuesG. Lodha, P.Geo. Environment & Sustainable DevelopmentR.A.S. Reichelt, P.Geo. Experience ReviewC.R. Galeschuk, P.Geo. Geoscience Issues Task ForceI.H. McKay, P.Eng. InvestigationD.N. Spangelo, P.Eng. LegislationA.H. Permut, P.Eng. NominatingF.L. Nicholson, P.Eng. Practice StandardsW.T. Jackson, P.Eng. Professional DevelopmentH.J. Roche, P.Eng. Public AwarenessK.J.T. Kjartanson, P.Eng. Registration F.A. Roberts, P.Eng. SafetyE.G. Parker, P.Eng. Salary ResearchJ. Lavergne, P.Eng. Sports & SocialD.M. Priscu, P.Eng. Women’s Action CommitteeM.G. Britton, P.Eng. CCPE DirectorH. Mumin, P.Eng. CCPG DirectorS.J. Peter, P.Eng. Kelsey ChapterR.A. LeGall, P.Eng. Pembina ChapterT.R. Nyabeze, P.Eng. Thompson ChapterD.G. Ford, P.Eng. Westman Chapter

APEGM STAFF G. Koropatnick, P. Eng., Executive Director and Registrar; S.E. Sankar,P.Eng., P.E., Director of Admissions; W. Boyce, Manager, Operations &Finance; J.C. McKinley, Administrative Officer; L. Dupas, AdmissionsCo-ordinator; S. Bruce, Accounting & Membership; A.L. Moore, Events & Communications Coordinator, M. Polson, Registration Co-ordinator; C. Camara, Receptionist

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE S.B. Williamson, P.Eng., Chair; E.P. Hancox, EIT, Vice-Chair; H.A. Buhler, EIT; P.H. Boge, P.Eng.; A.D. Erhardt, EIT; D.J. Etcheverry, GIT; S.M. Jurkowski, EIT; N.J. Kelly, P.Eng.; A.N. Kempan, P.Eng.(Ret); J.Q.A. Menec, P.Eng.; A.A. Poulin, P.Eng.;E. Schroth, P.Eng.; N. Soonawala, P.Geo. (Ret)

The Communications Committee would like to hear from you.Comments on your newsletter can be forwarded to us through theAssociation office. Members are also encouraged to submit articles andphotos on topics that would be of interest to the membership.

Although the information contained in this publication is believed to becorrect, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made asto its accuracy and completeness. Opinions expressed are not necessarilythose held by the APEGM or the APEGM Council.

K.S. AmyK.A. Basaraba (AB)A.N. BaskinY.G. Bergeron (QC)S.A. BezakD.E.W Blakely (AB)K.L.W.L.ChandrasenaJ.A. ChimkoJ. Coulson (ON)

J.L.G. Croteau (QC)S.L.B. DolyniukT.A. HabtemariamM.D. Haug (SK)W.A. Heywood (SK)T.N.J. Hughes (BC)A. Iskander (AB)F. JianS. Lecompte (QC)J.J. Malkoske

D.A. Marshall (SK)I.B. Milne (AB)L.A. Morgan (ON)R.F. Nichols (BC)T.R. NyabezeD.A. Opseth (SK)J.D.T. RimmerP.D. RobertsonJ.W. Rodger (NS)S.A. Sadler

S.V. ShahT.L. Sondresen (SK)B.J. SorianoY. St-JacquesM.J. TinholtD.A. Van NesC.A. Wagg (ON)Y.M.F. Wahba (ON)H. Yang

New Members Registered March & April 2006

Publications Mail Agreement Number 40062980

Members-In-Training Enrolled March & April 2006

A.M. ButcherM. CapanoA.L ChakrabortyM.S. EnzlbergerD.A.L. EvensonS.J. Friesen ReedR.C. HolatkoA.R. Komus

M.D. KulchyckiM.V. LaganseM.C.M. LamW. LiuD.R.P.LokugonaduwageG.D. MarjovskyD.W. McLarty

L.T. McLeodT.C.S. McPhailJ.J. MelendezS. MitraW.S. MuhandiramL. MulugetaA.G. NernbergL.T.A. Nguyen

S.D. ParrottS.B.J. PetersS.M. UllahS.M. WangM.R. WeselowskiS.H. Zaenali

Licensees Enrolled March & April 2006

M.L. Snowden (OK)

Reinstatements March & April 2006

T.P. Pohjoisrinne

Members-In-Training Removed from Enrollment April 1, 2006

S.X. ArkiaA.P. BaquiranA.G. BowenH.L.A. BrojgesA. Castro

J.V. CatrisK.W.G. ChalmersD.T.L. ColonvalY. DoustshenasJ.D. Ferriss

C.W. HanuschakJ.B.D. KoehlerR.J. McCormackD.C. McGeeR.P. Mejia

T.J. MryglodS.D. PhilopulosJ.M. Plohman

Certificates of Authorization March & April 2006

4330226 Canada Inc.Can-Tec Services Ltd.Design, Construction & InspectionG - MECH Engineering Inc. Hatch Mott MacDonald, Ltd.Ininew Limited Partnership

Integrated Distribution Systems LP DBAWaterous Power SystemsJacques Whitford LimitedJ.M. Giffin Engineering Inc.Opresnik Engineering Consultants Inc.

THE KEYSTONE PROFESSIONAL JUNE 20062

Members Deregistered April 1, 2006

A.T. AbreraR.D. AllenA. AnandD.J. BarkmanR.E. BarrettR. BartelW.L. BingerL.B. BirdsellG.A. BosgoedS.B. CampbellA.P. Cyriac

R. DezielI.A.S. ElkholyM.I. ElnaggarD.H. GoritzO.G. GutierrezJ.S. JonassonR.J. KachulakC.A. KaszyckiD.A. KoverzinV.P.H. LiuG.A. Martinez

C.A. McDowallB.L. McIntoshM. MitchellD.M. NagasakaH.V. PaulC.A. PuglieseL. SedoreL.B. ShulakewychE. ShwedykR.J. SladeK.R. Snelgrove

R.C. SomervilleB.R. St. AmantJ.D. StidwillA. von EppinghovenM.W. WickhamA.N. WilsonG.K. YuillW.A. Zemlak

Resignations as of January 1, 2006

D. D’AmourS.G. BarnettR.J. BlanchardR. BojovicR. BrunkeB. CaldwellK. Colcomb

J.G. DickinM. DobranJ. DuguayR. DyckD.G. FawcettE. GarayK.L. Gompf

A. GriceR. HandW. H. KarolatE.J. KleinJ. McMurryB.B. MillsM. Narsing

G.M. PankiwM.D. RuskJ. SiefkenL. StepnukD.A. StewartJ. Subbiah

E ngineers have played a majorrole in the development ofcivilization; however, they

have done it silently. The resulting“invisibility” raises some questionsthat point to a need for increasedpublic awareness. When scientistsand engineers land on the moon,why is this called a scientificachievement instead of a scientificand engineering achievement? Why is the typical Science Fair notcalled the Science and EngineeringFair when a significant portion ofthe projects developed by studentsare “engineering” projects?

Are you aware that without theintervention of engineers in the lateseventies, the Natural Sciences andEngineering Research Council of

Canada would have been called theNatural Sciences Research Councilof Canada? With public perceptionslike these, there is a definite andcontinuing need to inform and educate the general public on thecontributions and roles that engi-neers play in their lives. How thencan we enhance the visibility ofengineering and geoscience andhelp the public understand what professionals do and when their services should be sought?

Imagine, as one means, a beautiful building where schoolchildren could tour and view theachievements of engineers and geoscientists from Manitoba,Canada and the world. Imagine aplace where the general public could

rent space and attend receptions and events and come to appreciateengineering marvels. If such a building were named, TheEngineering Achievement Building,or some other name with the word“engineering” in it, then everyonewould remember that they went toan engineering building and learnedabout engineering accomplishments.

The Engineering AchievementBuilding could be compartmental-ized to focus on aspects of our livesthat depend on engineering and geoscience and to show engineeringachievements related to each ofthese aspects. For example, theBuilding could have sectionsfocused around communication,food production, clothing, shelter,energy, transportation, explorationof the earth and other planets, etc.This is not an inclusive list. TheBuilding could be designed withexpansion in mind and could bedeveloped in stages. The Buildingcould also commemorate and hon-our prominent Manitoba engineersand geoscientists.

The obvious question is how canwe finance such a Building? It will

require a major fund-raising effort.Engineering has played a major rolein your life. You have a passion forengineering. What value do youplace on your commitment to engineering? Can you contributebetween $1000 and $2000 in honourof your profession, to be distributedover three years as a charitabledonation? Can you convince youremployer to contribute to thiscause? We would also need to con-vince the municipal, provincial andfederal governments to contribute tothe project. Highlighting engineer-ing achievements should be seen asboth a cultural and an educationalenrichment.

Do you, as a member, see a needfor such a Building to enhance theimage of the engineering profes-sion? Do you see a need to renamethe Science Fair to the Science andEngineering Fair? Do you haveother ideas to enhance the visibilityof the professions? Please e-mail mewith your thoughts at digvir_jayas@umanitoba.ca or write to me at theAPEGM address. Your input andinvolvement are critical! ■

JUNE 2006 THE KEYSTONE PROFESSIONAL 3

President’s MessageDr. Digvir S. Jayas, P.Eng.

Enhancing Our Visibility

T he 2006 Annual GeneralMeeting of the Association ofProfessional Engineers and

Geoscientists of the Province ofManitoba will be held on Saturday,October 28, 2006, at St. Joseph’sHall, 340 Juniper Drive, THOMP-SON MB, R8N 2B1 Ph. 778-7547.

NOMINATIONS FORELECTION TO THE COUNCIL

Members of Council whose term ofoffice continues for another year are:

M. T. (TIM) CORKERY, P.GEO.;W. C. (BILL) GIRLING, P.ENG.;D. D. J. (DON) HIMBEAULT,P.ENG.; B. R. (BOB) MALENKO, P.ENG.;ROBYN L. TAYLOR, P.ENG.

Members of Council whose term ofoffice expires at the 2006 AnnualGeneral Meeting are:

JAMES A. BLATZ, P.ENG.;DIGVIR S. JAYAS, P.ENG.

(Will continue as Past President);

J. W. PATRICK LENGYEL,P.GEO.;B.J. (JIM) MILLER, P.ENG.;EDWARD M. RYCZKOWSKI,P.ENG.

Those nominated for election to the FOUR PROFESSIONALENGINEER positions on theCouncil are:

JAMES A. BLATZ, P.ENG.; B.J. (JIM) MILLER, P.ENG.; EDWARD M. RYCZKOWSKI,P.ENG.; JOHN C. WOODS, P.ENG.

Those nominated for election to the ONE PROFESSIONAL GEOSCIENTIST position on the Council are:

(One to be nominated)

Additional nominations may bemade by the membership.Nomination forms are availablefrom the Association office. Theconsent of the nominee must beobtained, and the nominator and

six other members must sign thenomination form. Nominationsmust be received in the Associationoffice on or before Friday,September 15, 2006. Each com-pleted nomination form must beaccompanied by the nominee’sresume, a history of the nominee’sAssociation activities and the nominee’s platform (not to exceed100 words). Forms for the resumeare also available from theAssociation office.

BY-LAW CHANGES

By-law 17.1 prescribes that anyproposal to introduce new By-laws,or to repeal or amend existing By-laws, at a duly convened meeting ofthe Association must, unless initi-

ated by the Council, be signed bynot fewer than six members.Proposals must be given to the secretary at least 45 days before that meeting. In this case the datefor the receipt of a proposal isWednesday, September 13, 2006.

RESOLUTIONS

By-law 5.1.4 prescribes that resolu-tions put forward at an annual general meeting must be in writing,signed by the mover and seconderand received by the Secretary noless than 48 hours prior to the com-mencement of the meeting. Eitherthe mover or the seconder must bepresent in person or by distanceconferencing at the meeting for theresolution to be considered. ■

Annual General MeetingGrant Koropatnick, P. Eng., Secretary

In MemoriamThe Association has received, with deep regret,

notification of the death of the following members:

Walter Naumko Thomas Harold Gillman

THE KEYSTONE PROFESSIONAL JUNE 20064

A premiere event on the calendar of Canada’s mineral exploration

community, the annual conventionof the Prospectors and DevelopersAssociation of Canada (PDAC),was held at the Metro TorontoConvention Centre, March 5through 8, 2006. This 74th annualconvention attracted over 14 500attendees. Generations of Canadianexplorationists have gone to PDACconventions to network, learn aboutthe leading mineral explorationplays of the year from around theworld, catch up on the latest govern-ment policies, learn about develop-ments in the science of mineralexploration, see the newest explo-ration equipment, get a feel for themining investment market, and also,partake in the pleasures of the con-ventions’ famed hospitality suites.

PDAC conventions are focalpoints not only for Canadians, but

also for the international miningcommunity which recognizesCanada’s leading role in the industryworld wide. Sixty-five percent of allthe world’s public mining compa-nies are listed on the Toronto andVancouver stock exchanges. Ontarioalone attracts about 8 percent of theworld’s total mineral explorationspending, and Manitoba is also aworld class exploration destination.This year’s convention welcomeddelegates from about 100 countries,including official delegations from40 countries which were headed bysenior government officials.

The theme of the keynote session was Mining’s Back. The first speaker at the session was the Federal Minister of NaturalResources, Gary Lunn, who at thattime, had been on the job for only28 days. He touched on the need toreduce regulatory red tape, deal with a looming shortage of qualified

personnel and the need for moreexploration, all without compromis-ing environmental standards. Theneed for new, younger talent wasalso noted by Peter Dimmell, thepresident of PDAC. The generationof highly educated geoscientists,technicians and engineers, which ledthe industry over the past thirty toforty years, is about to retire.Unfortunately, mineral explorationsciences are not as popular withtoday’s students as they once were.The PDAC student affairs commit-tee, in its efforts to encourage students to work in the industry,organized a successful student-industry networking lunch whichattracted 250 students and industryrepresentatives.

Aboriginal participation in themineral industry was highlighted bycase histories from Quebec,Labrador, Ontario, British Columbiaand Northwest Territories of explo-ration plays for diamonds, nickel,aggregates and other commodities.Presentations from Latin Americacovered geological and businessaspects of activities in Chile,Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador,Guatemala and Peru. Canadiancompanies spoke about their

successes within Canada as well asin their projects overseas includingin post-Soviet Mongolia. The ses-sion on exploration geophysics presented information on new geophysical techniques and case histories of their use.

The Investors Exchange was amining investment show held for thebenefit of investors who may beinterested in investing in the miningindustry. Exhibitors included miningcompanies, stock exchanges, bro-kers and financial institutions withmining interests. The Trade Showdisplayed equipment and servicesoffered by industries that supportmineral exploration; some examplesinclude air transportation, drilling,geophysical services, analytical lab-oratories, software companies, andlaw firms.

Finally, there was a glitteringawards evening where recipients of PDAC’s annual awards were recognized and honoured for theirachievements in the industry or theircontributions to PDAC. ■(Compiled from material on PDAC website and Winnipeg Free Press of March 7, 2006)

Mining’s Back at theProspectors and DevelopersAnnual Convention N. Soonawala, Ph.D., P.Geo (Ret)

Thursday, March 9, 2006 A.D. Erhardt, EIT

A fter the usual introductions and approval of the agenda, the Councilmeeting came to order just after 11 a.m. Things began with an additional agenda item in regards to the University of Manitoba

Engineering Society. Councillor James Blatz has been asked to serve as afaculty representative for UMES. The discussion drifted towards the locationof the Engineering and Geoscience Week “Proclamation”. Several ideaswere thrown into the ring for future sites including the new engineeringbuilding, the legislature and the atrium of the new Manitoba Hydro building.All of the suggestions were to be forwarded on to the Provincial Engineeringand Geoscience Week committee for future debate.

Following some Council monitoring maintenance, the debate of the“looking to exempt” policy for geoscientists began. A brief summary of the issue was presented and ideas were discussed. The policy would apply to geoscientists of specific graduating classes following the addition of geoscientists to the Association. This policy would allow the AcademicReview Committee to determine whether or not an applicant was eligible forthe exemption. After the debate, Council approved the policy unanimously.

Discussions then moved on to the Home Inspectors Association (HIA) issue. A draft of a memorandum of understanding between APEGMand the HIA has been drafted and is awaiting review by both Council andlegal counsel. The content of a potential brochure along with how to distribute the information was discussed, with the main concerns being liability and safeguarding the public. Council was in favour of the

MOU and brochure in principle, subject to the review and approval by legal counsel.

After reviewing some updates and revisions to existing bylaws, Councilreviewed a memorandum from three other Canadian associations in regardsto inter-association mobility for members. The memo invites other associa-tions across Canada to drop the “notwithstanding clause” from the previousagreement which dates back to 1999. After considering how this wouldrelate to the Engineering and Geoscientific Professions Act, it was decidedthat APEGM could not endorse the memo as it usurped the authority of theRegistration Committee.

A current APEGM member forwarded a suggestion for a professionalstamp design that is distinctive to Manitoba. Executive Director, GrantKoropatnick, directed Council to develop a subcommittee to examine theissue and its viability. Following some general administrative issues and thereview of councillor assignments to a variety of engineering committees, themeeting adjourned shortly before 2:30 p.m. ■

Council Report

Editor’s NoteThere were two typographical errors on page 3 of the April issue of The Keystone Professional.

Building Alternatives Inc. is located in Anola, MB. The name under the photo for the

Professional-in-Training.Award is Timothy J. Krahn.

JUNE 2006 THE KEYSTONE PROFESSIONAL 5

Climate change is a significantshift in the variability, averageor extremes of climatic

conditions for a specific locationand over a period of time.

Thorough international scientificresearch supports the theory that theearth’s climate is changing. There is also growing confidence that theimpact of climate change poses alegitimate threat to public safety and economic sustainability, whichhas a profound affect on the way we live and work.

I believe that, as professionalengineers we have a responsibilityto effectively manage the risks associated with the changing climate and its impact on the public.

From an engineering perspec-tive, climate change will necessitatechanges to building codes, engineer-ing practices and standards, affectthe way facilities are designed, andultimately alter the economic lifes-pan of infrastructure and therebyimpact commerce and industry.Severe weather events also threatenpublic safety and welfare.

Regional changes in climate arealready affecting specific industries.For example, in Canada’s northernregions, winter ice roads are becoming less viable and disappear-ing permafrost is affecting pipelinesand mining operations. In the future,decreased rainfall may lower waterlevels in the Great Lakes, meaningthat ships will not be able to carry asmuch cargo, resulting in increasedshipping costs. Reduced water availability will also decrease theproduction of hydroelectric power.Flash flooding may damage, or evendestroy, valuable federal, provincialor municipal infrastructure as wellas private property. Changingweather patterns may decrease aridity, affecting our farms andforests through reduced harvests,increased diseases, pest infestations,and more forest fires.

These are just a few examples of how the impacts of a changingclimate will require adjustments tothe practice of engineering.Engineers in all disciplines will needto consider how to design, build,operate, and maintain infrastructurethat can withstand or reduce theimpact of current and future climaticchanges and increasingly frequentand severe weather events.

Mitigation, which might involvethe use of more efficient, clean, andgreen technologies, can help slowthe rate of climate change. Suchactions produce many benefits,including greenhouse gas reduction.

But, while mitigation is soundengineering practice, CCPE believesthat engineers must go one step further. Engineers must proactivelyadapt their designs and infrastruc-ture strategies by developing long-term approaches that activelyconsider shifts in the severity andfrequency of changing weather patterns.

Since February 2004, CCPE hasbeen working on a national ClimateChange Impacts and AdaptationAction Plan (CCAP) in cooperationwith its 12 constituent members(CMs). This plan involves collabo-rative communication with outreachand education strategies to identifylong-term solutions to climatechange.

One initiative within our actionplan is the creation of the PublicInfrastructure EngineeringVulnerability Committee (PIEVC).Spearheaded by CCPE, PIEVC is anational committee comprised ofsenior level representatives from all three orders of government aswell as key non-governmental organizations.

PIEVC’s mandate is to facilitate an assessment of the vulnerability of Canada’s publicinfrastructure to the impacts of climate change. Subject to

available funding, PIEVC plans toproduce a final report on the vulner-ability of Canada’s infrastructureand subsequently will provide direction to engineers on what must be done to reduce these vulnerabilities to a tolerable level.

In addition to the action plan,CCPE has developed close workingrelationships with several federalgovernment departments that share our concerns about the sus-tainability of our environment and infrastructure.

Educating fellow engineers,engineering students, and the public, to raise awareness about our changing climate is extremelyimportant and CCPE has taken alead in this area.

CCPE has developed an extensive and informativePowerPoint presentation on climatechange and its effects, which isavailable to all CMs. This presenta-tion has recently been delivered atseveral CM annual general meet-ings. CCPE’s goal is to maximizethe use of this educational tool byhaving our CMs communicate andshare the presentation with theirregional chapters.

Finally, CCPE is contributing tothe upcoming EIC Climate ChangeTechnology Conference, takingplace in Ottawa from May 9-12,2006. During this educational conference, a number of highlyregarded experts will offer revealingviews about climate change and itseffects. For more, please visitwww.ccc2006.ca.

If you have any suggestions onhow your specific engineering discipline or practice can best adaptto the changing climate, the profes-sion would like to hear from you.Please contact your provincial orterritorial licensing body. You mayalso send your feedback to DavidLapp, P.Eng., CCPE’s Manager,Professional Practice, at david.lapp@ccpe.ca

As engineers, we must notignore this important issue that willaffect how engineering is practicedfor generations to come. We mustcollectively develop, incorporate,and integrate long-term sustainableengineering practices that will adapt to the impact of a changingclimate. ■

Adapting to a ChangingClimate

CCPE CEO’s MessageMarie Lemay, P.Eng.

2006 AGM Notice

The 87th Annual General Meeting of the Association ofProfessional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba will be held in Thompson on October 27-28, 2006.

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the discovery of the Thompson ore body and the start of the community ofThompson. On the eve of significant hydro projects and newroad construction to link the province to Nunavut, thefuture is exciting. This is a wonderful time to celebrate life in the North and recognize the contribution of Engineeringand Geoscience to the community of Thompson and ourprovince.

AGM activities will include a Professional DevelopmentConference, Industrial Facility Tours, a Gala Dinner, as well as the AGM Business Meeting. A companion program is also being organized. More information will be provided in the Keystone Professional September issue and on theAPEGM website.

Mark down October 27-28th on your calendar! See you soon!

The AGM Organizing Committee

JUNE 2006THE KEYSTONE PROFESSIONAL6

Ilike the Dilbert cartoon. I alwayshave. It’s not because Dilbert isan engineer. No, it’s because he

is a geeky guy who understands thehuman dynamics around him wheneveryone expects otherwise. Doesthat sound a bit familiar? Manytimes, engineers understand what is going on around them but thepeople around them don’t.Sometimes we struggle to accu-rately convey to others what we arethinking and what we are doing.

Engineers have amassed a greatamount of knowledge and wisdomdown through the centuries. We have solved many scientificmysteries and have contributed tothe safety, comfort and well-beingof societies all over the world andcontinue to do so. However, some-thing which we have been slow to

develop is the political savvyamongst the decision makers inthose societies. Similar to Dilbert,engineers tend to state a positionand defend that position with stronglogic, facts and well crafted wordsoften at the expense of their careers.Dilbert delivers his accurate analy-sis, but “Big Boss” is on a differentwavelength and frequently ignoresor misunderstands him. Wouldn’t itbe a different spin to see Dilbertbuying Big Boss a beer at the localpub? Or teeing up a ball with BigBoss on the links? I’ve never seenthose scenarios in a Dilbert cartoonstrip, but it doesn’t mean thatthey’re not possible in reality.

Recently, the Canadian Councilof Professional Engineers initiatedthe “BGE Project – BridgingGovernment and Engineers.”

It was highlighted on page 5 of theApril Keystone Professional. SomeAPEGM members will be calledupon to participate in the BGEProject with our federal MPs, butwe need a similar provinciallyfocused effort. What if we begansuch a project here in Manitoba withour provincial politicians? Are thereany engineers and geoscientists outthere that would like to shoot around of golf with their local MLA?Or perhaps take some time to invitetheir MLA out for a coffee, glass ofbeer, breakfast or lunch? I realizethis may sound intimidating to someof you, but don’t sell yourself short.It’s not as hard as you may think.

If schmoozing with your MLAor MP doesn’t sound like somethingyou’re ready for, then what about cul-tivating your political skills by serv-ing on an APEGM committee. It’snot that difficult. The committees pro-vide lots of opportunity to meet andgreet fellow professionals and todevelop ideas, programs and influ-ence decisions that affect the mem-bership and the public of Manitoba.You get to work with other volunteerson similar interests. Of course, you’llhave to walk into a room, stick outyour hand and introduce yourself topeople you might not know, but each

time you do it, you will gain confidence in “networking” andgrow your political skills.

Again, you’re not likely to seethese scenarios in a Dilbert cartoonstrip, but you can make them happen in your real-life situationand it will benefit your career. Whenengineers develop strong politicalskills and put them to use in thecommunity, the professions gain and maintain a strong position in the decision-making offices of our governments, businesses, socialagencies and community groups. Is this where we want to be asAPEGM professionals? I think so.We need stronger political skills andbetter advocacy skills to go with ourstrong analysis and problem-solvingskills. Don’t wait to read about it ina Dilbert cartoon strip – you’re notlikely to see it. Get out there andgrow your political skills. Speak toyour manager about opportunities torepresent your company or depart-ment at a social, political or commu-nity event. You and the professionswill be better for it. Dilbert is noblockhead, but he needs some helpgetting started. If you’re interestedin this topic, give me a call and let’ssee what we can come up with.Have a great day. ■

Executive Director’sMessageGrant Koropatnick, P.Eng.

conducted by a CEM professionaland the Lifetime AchievementAward celebrating the leadership,achievements and contributions of a CEM Professional Engineerthroughout their career. The CEMAwards’ title sponsor XL Insurance/Oldfield Kirby Esau presented theEngineering Action Award to CEMPast-President John Woods, P. Eng.and the Lifetime AchievementAward to Al Dyregrov, P. Eng.. The Lifetime Achievement AwardWinner also presents the KeystoneAward to the best overall project ofthe CEM Awards in a given year.Mr. Al Dyregrov, P. Eng. wasselected by CEM to present theKeystone Award in honour of hisdistinguished record of service tothe consulting engineering commu-nity. Mr. Dryegrov presented theKeystone Award to Crosier Kilgour& Partners Ltd for their design ofthe Millennium Library Project.

The CEM Awards of ExcellenceProgram continues to grow and theCEM thanks the Manitoba engi-neering community for continuingto participate in this showcase andcelebration of our industry. Mediacoverage of the event was provided

in the Winnipeg Free Press andWinnipeg Sun. The award-winningprojects will be showcased furtherin other public events and locationsthroughout the next year.

The 2006 Consulting Engineersof Manitoba Awards of Excellencewere awarded as follows:

KEYSTONE AWARD:Firm: Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd.Project: Growing Spaces, OpeningMinds – The Millennium LibraryProject

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE:Category: Building EngineeringFirm: Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd.Project: Growing Spaces, OpeningMinds – The Millennium LibraryProject

Category: Building EngineeringFirm: Earth Tech (Canada) Inc.Project: Lac la Croix SchoolMechanical System

Category: InfrastructureFirm: Stantec Consulting Ltd.Project: Falcon Lake Water TreatmentPlant – Innovative Iron and ManganeseRemoval Solution

Category: EnvironmentalFirm: TetrES Consultants Inc.

Project: Integrated Decision-SupportTools for Mine-Site TailingsManagement Planning

AWARDS OF MERIT:Category: InfrastructureFirm: KGS Group, Acres ManitobaLimited, & UMA Engineering Ltd.Project: Red River Floodway – ProjectDefinition and PDEA1 EnvironmentalAssessment (PDEA1)

Category: IndustrialFirm:SNC-Lavalin Engineers &Constructors Inc.Project: Thompson Smelter Upgrades

Category: InnovationFirm: Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd.Project: Powerhouse RedevelopmentProject: Cast Iron Column ConnectionDesign and Testing

Category: InnovationFirm: Wardrop Engineering Inc. & Corbett Cibinel ArchitectsProject: Restoration of Wesley Hall

Personal Awards ofRecognition:

■ Al Dyregrov, P. Eng. LifetimeAchievement Award

■ John Woods, P. Eng. EngineeringAction Award

Congratulations to all firms entered inthe 2006 CEM Awards Program, in par-ticular to the firms who won Awards ofExcellence and Awards of Merit. TheCEM would also like to thank its AwardSponsors for 2006:

■ Event Title Sponsor: XLInsurance/Oldfield Kirby Esau Inc.

■ Award Category Sponsors:

Winnipeg Construction Association

University of Manitoba Faculties ofEngineering and Science on behalfof the Engineering and InformationTechnology Centre

Manitoba Hydro

ENCON Group Inc.

Province of Manitoba, Departmentof Industry, Economic Development& Mines.

■ Event Supporters:

Bockstael Construction (1979) Ltd.

Inland Audio Visual

Visit www.cemanitoba.com formore information regarding thisyear’s awards event as well as forfurther information and photos ofthe winning projects. ■

Dilbert is No Blockhead

Continued from page 1...

JUNE 2006 THE KEYSTONE PROFESSIONAL 7

Amajor site redevelopmentproject for the WinnipegInternational Airport

commenced in September 2005.The current phase, at an estimatedexpenditure of $560 million, isscheduled to end in 2009 and willresult in a new terminal building, anew or improved parkade, othergroundside and airside facilities, and better infrastructure such asroadways. The redevelopment is one of the largest capital projects inWinnipeg’s history and of greatinterest to the engineering industry.

We thank Robert Edgar, Senior Vice President AirportRedevelopment, Winnipeg AirportsAuthority Inc. (WAA), for present-ing this Professional Developmentluncheon talk at Canad Inns FortGarry, Winnipeg, on March 30,2006. It was a thorough reviewwhich touched upon almost everyaspect of the redevelopment project.

The WAA was established in1997 and at about 130 employees, isa relatively small entity. Its missionis “to provide the community withexcellent airport services and facili-ties in a fiscally prudent manner.”The airport is in an attractive posi-tion since Winnipeg is an important

destination as well as origin in thetransportation market, with directaccess to trucking and railways. It isa 24-hour airport with a strong cargomarket. The airport serviced 3 million passengers in 2004, and thisvolume is expected to increase to4.6 million passengers by 2020.

The program planning for theredevelopment included analyses ofthe traffic forecasts, the conditionand capacity of the facilities, costestimates, and financial modelling.The baggage system, security, concessions and IT and T weresome of the specific components ofthe planning process.

The program management anddesign teams were selected througha transparent, open competition,with final selection being based onevaluations of review committees,interviews and reference checks.Parsons was selected as the Program Manager. A host of otherengineering and architectural firmsare also contributing to the project,with Wardrop being the Owner’sAdvocate.

The new terminal building, themost visible part of the redevelop-ment, will have a grand entranceand will be technology based. Its

design is a complex process whichhas to accommodate a variety ofoccupancies, security requirements,IT and T requirements, signage,common-use facilities, heating,cooling and lighting of large openspaces, and changing requirementsfrom air carriers. The terminal isalso the coordination point betweenthe groundside and airside compo-nents of the airport.

Mr. Edgar presented excellent,coloured pictures of the plannedlook of the future concourse, “town square hall,” departure hall,baggage claim area and outsideviews of the terminal. It drove homethe point that this terminal will betruly a 21st century facility, in contrast to the sixties look of the

current terminal so familiar to all of us.

Mr. Edgar also had a bit ofadvice for engineers – simply per-forming tasks is not enough. Askyour client what business functionshe/she expects the facility toachieve, and also probe into his/herfuture business expectations and thecritical facilities necessary to support his/her business model.

The expenditures in the $560million range for the redevelopmentare expected to be recoveredthrough airport improvement fees. A$250 million privately placed bondissue, which closed in September2005, was rated A1 Stable and AStable by Moody’s and Standardand Poors respectively. The capitalprojects will generate over 7300person years of employment, $311million in wages, and economicoutput of over one billion dollars.

By the time Bob Edgar’s talkended, it was clear that the WAA iswell on the way to achieving itsgoal, stated in the design definitionas “WAA will establish a signatureairport site redevelopment designthat is consistent with our vision ofleading transportation innovationand growth. Unique, striking andoutstanding, our terminal structurewill reflect our prairie roots and heritage of an important Canadiantransportation centre that will continue to play a leading role in the future of this country.” ■

Professional Development

The Town Square Hall

The Terminal Approach View

Winnipeg Airport Site RedevelopmentPD Presentation by R. Edgar.

Report by N. Soonawala, Ph.D., P.Geo (Ret)

THE KEYSTONE PROFESSIONAL8 JUNE 2006

C limate change, regardless of differing opinions on the degree

to which human activities are contributing or causal factors, hasestablished itself as a reality to beaddressed, not just in Manitoba but also globally.

Within the professional engineering community, acceptanceof this reality is manifesting itself innumerous ways. The CanadianCouncil of Professional Engineers(CCPE), for example, is taking aleading role in forging links betweenengineers, political decision makersand scientists to ensure what it termsa “well coordinated multi-barrierapproach to adapt to evolving physical environments.”

In its June 2005 position statement on climate change, CCPE further references a twofold responsibility for engineering practitioners:“Engineers are responsible forbuilding and maintaining infrastructure that can minimize the damage and impacts of climaticextremes, and for developing innovative approaches that mini-mize greenhouse gas emissions.”

CCPE now has a 3-year ClimateChange Action Plan in place thatsets out five areas for CCPE to workon in close partnership with its constituent members and the federalgovernment. These include educa-tion and awareness, continuing professional development, guide-lines, codes and standards, andincreased networking between scientists and engineers.

Rolling out from this plan, in2005 CCPE launched the PublicInfrastructure EngineeringVulnerability Committee (PIEVC).This group has been set up to assessthe vulnerability of Canada’s publicinfrastructure to climate change.PIEVC has representatives from all three levels of government, the Federation of Canadian

Municipalities and the insuranceindustry.

PIEVC’s steering committeeheld its first meeting on October 6,2005. A scoping study focusing onstorm water and drainage systems isbeing undertaken from Januarythrough March 2006. This study isaimed at better understanding therequirements for a national study ofall infrastructure, and to developengineering protocols for use innational vulnerability assessment.Terms of reference for the nationalvulnerability assessment are beingdrafted concurrently.

This is just one example of howclimate change has moved from the-ory, and being perceived as a strictlyenvironmental issue, into Canada’seconomic, technological and socialmainstream. Mitigation and adapta-tion to climate change is becomingbig, and cross-sectoral, business.

Yet to view climate changesolely as an emerging, even bur-geoning, marketplace is to miss themuch larger picture.

As Environment Canada noteson its Climate Change website, a rise of only a few degrees inglobal temperature is expected tofundamentally alter all life on earth – and that some of this changewould be “effectively irreversible.”The site notes:

“Ecosystems evolve slowly inresponse to changes in the averageconditions and variability of pastweather. Many species, like mosttrees, can respond only very slowly.Others have unique climate nichesthat may disappear, leaving themvulnerable to extinction. Likewise,the socio-economic infrastructureand culture of human societies areclosely adapted to the climate withinwhich these evolved, and a rapid climate change would make it diffi-cult to adapt quickly, causing anincreased risk of weather-relatedeconomic disasters. Experts also

predict longer and more frequentextreme weather events such asheavy rains, droughts, floods, andsevere storms whose impacts onhumans and natural ecosystemscould be significant (for example,longer and more frequent heatwaves could increase heat-stressrelated deaths). Regional changes incrop yields and productivity due toclimate change are likely to increasethe risk of famine, particularly insemi-arid and arid regions of thetropics and subtropics. Globalwarming is also expected toincrease the potential transmissionof infectious diseases such asmalaria, dengue, and yellow feverthrough the expansion of the rangein which disease-carrying organisms can survive.”

Engineering practitioners today thus increasingly face a mixed blessing: business opportuni-ties arising through what is gener-ally accepted in scientific andgovernment communities as thelong-term and incrementally negative consequences of humanactivities.

Therefore, grey areas and differ-ences in perception abound. Forsome engineering practitioners, forexample, protecting public intereststhreatened by climate change maybe a driver equal to, or perhaps evenmore significant than, the businessopportunity.

Regardless of how climatechange plays out in the broadestsense, countless opportunities nevertheless present themselvesevery day to “think globally, actlocally.” Engineering practitionersmay therefore also choose to framethe ‘business of climate change’ inthe context of taking proactive mea-sures in their places of business, i.e. their offices or other workplaces.

Such action can be as simple asimplementing a ‘no idling’ policy,or even checking regularly to ensure fleet vehicle tires are notunder-inflated (under-inflated tiresincrease fuel consumption).

There are many excellent websites offering practical ideas andresources to businesses wishing toreduce their GHG outputs and/or

The Business ofCLIMATECHANGEA. Ascher, APEGM Appointed Councillor

Continued on page 9

JUNE 2006 THE KEYSTONE PROFESSIONAL 9

P rofessions occupy an uniqueplace in our Canadian society.Through provincial and terri-

torial legislation, governments haveassigned the right and responsibilityto control the professions to thosewho practice the professions. This isa privilege that most professionalstake very seriously. It is the basis forour existence as legal entities.

Increasingly professions findthemselves under siege by variousgroups with various agendas. As aresult it is important that each of usunderstand the basis upon which ourprivileged positions are founded.Simplistic slogans and definitionswill not strengthen our professions.Professionals must understand andaccept the philosophical roots oftheir calling if they are to face therealities of the work-a-day worldwith confidence. Yes, normal circumstances see us being paid for our work, but, surely there ismore to professionalism than that.

Today’s situation has grown outof an historic context in which threeprofessions evolved. The three so-called “learned” professions of thepast: medicine, law and the priest-hood, reacted to the human need forprotection of one’s health, one’swealth and one’s ultimate fate.

These professions were, and are, ofservice to the individual person.Each was held in high esteem, andeach was afforded the luxury ofbeing free to govern itself. By andlarge, this situation still exists, and it has become a model that otheroccupations that aspire to be calledprofessions seek to imitate.

Many “newer” professions, likeengineering and geoscience, react tocorporate or societal needs ratherthan individual needs. We provideservices and, hopefully, benefits arederived. This concept of serviceruns through most, if not all, of theactions of the professions. Service(to individuals, corporations or thepublic-at-large) forms a cornerstoneupon which all professions are built.

If service is the only criterion,then serving staff in restaurants canbe called professionals. After all,they provide a service for whichthey are paid. But there must besome basis, other than physicalactivity and payment, upon which a professional service is founded.

The term profession has, as itsroot, the word profess and this helpsin further clarification. It is gener-ally accepted that professionals basetheir services on some body ofknowledge that requires specialized

training and certain intellectualskills. In other words, we profess toknow enough about some particularfield to be of service to those whodo not have the benefit of our edu-cation, knowledge and experience.So the need for a body of knowl-edge to exist defines a second cor-nerstone for a profession.

The utilization of a body ofknowledge to serve the public (or individual) places a seriousresponsibility on the practitioner.Obviously, the knowledge used toprovide the service should gobeyond that which is generallyknown. Therefore, those receivingthe service must place their trust inthe integrity of those delivering it.This requires, and the publicexpects, standards of conductbeyond the accepted societal minimums. These standards mayexist in law but are more likely toexist as concepts. The concepts lead to “rules” which define how aprofessional will interact with others, both inside and outside their profession. These “rules” areformalized into codes of ethics. Written codes are published for allto read and they represent what isexpected of a professional. These“rules of the road” represent the

third cornerstone upon which professions are based.

The fourth and final cornerstoneof a profession is authority.Professions are given the authorityby the public, through legislativeaction, to establish and maintainorganizations that will define thestandards of education, experienceand performance that are requiredfor admission and continuation.Once the professional organizationis in place, its members assume theresponsibility to enforce their stan-dards on their members. The publicexpects, or should expect, that thosewho profess to practice a professionhold membership in this governingbody. The profession is placed in aposition of trust and, in order tomaintain this trust, it must keep itsown house in order.

In summary the concept of professionalism is founded on fourbasic conditions:

1. service,

2. a body of knowledge,

3. a code of ethics, and

4. authority.

If these conditions are met, aprofession exists and those whomeet the constraints of membershipcan call themselves professionals.Persons who become professionalscommit themselves to the standardsof their profession. The group com-mitment becomes an individualcommitment. Or maybe it is theother way around. ■

Engineering Philosophy 101. . . what makes a profession?M.G. (Ron) Britton, P.Eng.

become more energy efficient inother ways. Following are threesuch web sites:

■ http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/

This web site for NaturalResources Canada’s Office ofEnergy Efficiency includes linksto 5 in-depth areas:Transportation (Fleets, Rebates,Fuel Management, Idling andTraining); Commercial andInstitutional (Buildings andEquipment); Industrial(Facilities and Equipment);Communities and Government(Buildings, Transportation andProcurement); Residential(Appliances, Equipment andHousing Professionals). UnderTransportation, for example, arefurther links to a fuel consump-tion calculator to track fueleconomy, as well as to a guidethat calculates the cost-effi-

ciency of purchasing vehiclesusing alternative fuels. In addition, newsletters (as well as case studies and technicalguides) can be found athttp://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/industrial/technical-info/index.cfm?attr=24.Individuals can also subscribe tothe “Heads Up CIPEC” and“Heads Up Energy Efficiency”electronic newsletters.

■ The Pembina Institute forAppropriate Development is anindependent, not-for-profit envi-ronmental policy research andeducation organization based inAlberta. The Pembina Institutehas the following auxiliary sitededicated to climate changeissues: www.climatechangesolutions.com On this site is alink to ideas geared specificallyto small and medium-sizedenterprises, including the Cool

Business Guide, and worksheetsto guide a company throughdeveloping its own climatechange strategy.

■ Manitoba Hydro’s Power SmartProgram for Business can befound at http://www.hydro.mb.ca/saving_with_ps/psmart_business.shtml Included here,for example, are details of aprogram to install energy effi-cient lighting in new construc-tion or renovation projects. Case studies of many retail,institutional, hotel and other projects completed in Manitobaare profiled.

Manitoba Hydro also has anonline energy profiling tool called EnerTrend at the followingaddress. http://www.hydro.mb.ca/business_customers/enertrend.shtml ■

APEGM is the leaderand a facilitator of the process thatensures excellence in engineering,geoscience, and appliedtechnology for thepublic of Manitoba.

APEGM VISION

Continued from page 8...

JUNE 2006THE KEYSTONE PROFESSIONAL10

British Columbia and OntarioImplement StreamlinedPolicies for Registration ofGeoscientists Under MobilityAgreement

A PEGBC and APGO recentlyimplemented policy changes

that will facilitate the registrationprocess in BC and Ontario for applications under the CanadianCouncil of ProfessionalGeoscientists’ Inter-AssociationMobility Agreement (IAMA).

Under the new policies, profes-sional geoscientists applying forregistration under IAMA generallyneed only submit an applicationform and fee, confirmation fromtheir home Association of membership in good standing, andin the case of APEGBC, proof ofCanadian citizenship or residency(APGO has no citizenship or resi-dency requirements). Applicantsmay also be required to pass aProfessional Practice & Ethicsexamination. A completed application will typically be pro-cessed within one week. The newpolicies will affect both new andcurrent IAMA applicants.

APEGBC and APGO havetaken this step in recognition of the

mobility inherent in geosciencepractice, and the demands of industry. By making the registrationprocess easier and faster for IAMAapplicants, individuals who aretransferred to BC or Ontario or whohave projects in either province, will find this greatly facilitates theirability to readily comply withprovincial registration requirements.Both Associations believe that, inparticular, this development will beappreciated by the oil and gas sectorand the mining sector.

All geoscientists are remindedthat it is a requirement to register inall provinces in which they practice.

More information on registrationwith APEGBC or APGO is avail-able on their respective websites.

APEGBC:www.apeg.bc.ca/re/InterProvincialGeos.html

APGO: http://www.apgo.net/membership/index.html. ■

O n March 17, 2006, Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan announced new funding support of $360,000 for an initiative to help internationally-educated engineers meet Canadian

accreditation standards.

“A key component of any successful immigration strategy is effectivelyassessing and recognizing or upgrading the educational and professional credentials of newcomers,” said Allan. “We are sending a very positive mes-sage to potential immigrants that Manitoba welcomes them and their skills.”

The 12-month Internationally Educated Engineers Qualification program is delivered at the University of Manitoba’s faculty of engineeringwith the support of the Association of Professional Engineers andGeoscientists. The program features an academic component and a paid work-experience placement with an employer in the participant’s engineering discipline. Successful completion of the program means the participant’s combined engineering education is recognized as equivalent toCanadian education standards. The one-year program is designed to shortenthe typical three-year period a foreign-educated engineer would take to meet Canadian standards.

Since the program started in 2003, 15 internationally educated engineershave successfully completed the program requirements, resulting in 14becoming employed in the engineering field and one entering into graduatestudies. Another 13 participants are expected to graduate in 2006. The targetenrolment for the program for the next three years is 12 participants per yearfor a total of 36.

The funding is being provided in equalinstalments over the three-year term of the program from theManitoba OpportunitiesFund and through theCouncil on Post-Secondary Education to the University ofManitoba. Funding is also provided through the Manitoba ImmigrantInvestor program and the federal Foreign Credential Recognition program inthe Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program accounted for 57 percent of allimmigrants to the province with 4600 skilled worker and business nomineearrivals in 2005. The total number of landings in 2005 reached 8089, morethan double the number of arrivals in 1999. ■

Manitoba Renews Program To Recognize Foreign-Trained EngineersA. Kempan, P.Eng. (Ret)Condensed by A. Kempan from a Government of Manitoba news release.

R emember that fundamentalprinciple they beat into us inPhysics? “Every action has

an equal and opposite reaction”. I suspect that it is tattooed on everyengineer’s soul. However, is it a tattoo that simply rests in our collective memories when weundertake to address a new problemor does it rest close to the surface of our conscious efforts?

I admit that my view of life isbiased by my structural background.Over the recent past, however, I’vecome to appreciate some of the con-straints other “brands” of engineersdeal with. During this experienceI’ve found that the old Physics “tru-

ism” keeps surfacing as I attempt tounderstand the basis of the prob-lems/solutions others deal with. I’ve also found that I look at thoseunfamiliar problems from a muchmore fundamental perspective thanthe structural problems I am familiarwith. And I keep reminding myselfthat the easiest problems to solve arethose you know nothing about.

Many of us have been confronted, usually in a social situa-tion, by someone who asks, “Whenare you engineers going to fix ourpothole problem?” Most of us whoare not involved in pavements andtransportation retreat to the comfortof explaining that we are not compe-

tent in that area of engineering.Recently, after such a confrontationand my standard retreat, my “adver-sary” suggested that no one seems to be competent. I was left feelingmore than a bit inadequate. Havingfailed to come to our profession’sdefense, I began wondering whyroad conditions have, in fact,reached their current state. Eventhough I cannot solve the problem, Ithought I might be able to explain it.

It seems simple enough. On theone hand you have vehicles thatapply loads. The other part of thesystem is roads that support theloads. Back to basic physics, right?This suggests that the problem lies in the “equal and opposite reaction” side of the equationbecause the roads (the reactions) are in bad shape.

Some of those who claim to“know”, point out that we have abudget problem that results in a lack of maintenance. Others argue,with equal conviction that the bud-get problem goes back to cuttingcorners on construction. Still othersclaim that our Red River gumbo(bubble gum) and its sensitivity tomoisture and frost mean we willnever have good roads. Those with afocus on potholes point out that theaggregate we use in the concretepavement is frost sensitive, so thatneeds to change. And of course, thetrucks keep getting bigger and heavier so we obviously need to do something.

There is probably some truth inall the pet theories that are advancedas solutions. Trucks are getting big-ger and heavier, speeds keepincreasing, and traffic volumes areup. We need “better” roads.

In the meantime, people arelooking at new/different materialsthat overcome the shortcomings ofexisting materials. Others are con-sidering ways to stabilize expansiveclays so they will support greaterloads. Governments are being pres-sured to provide adequate funding.There are even suggestions thatheating the road surface will solve

the wear surface freeze/thaw prob-lem and prevent the subsoil expan-sion problem that goes along withfrozen soil.

Virtually all of the attention isfocused on improving roads fromboth performance and durabilityperspectives.

But what is happening on the“For every action” side of the equa-tion? Is it reasonable to concentrateon fixing the “reaction” and simplyquantify the “action”? Is the growthof traffic size and volume a giventhat cannot be controlled? Is thesolution to bad roads more reason-ably found in a redesign of the wayvehicles put loads on the roads?Huge tractors “float” over farmersfields pulling very heavy loads, andthey don’t destroy the soil. Is thereanything to be learned (contributed)from looking at the load side of theissue? Has current truck/trailerdesign simply outgrown our abilityto support it economically? Arethese informed questions, or justmore noise?

The real question is whether ornot it is fair to place all the responsi-bility for redesign on the “reaction”side of the equation. Thinking aboutthe “road problem” reminded meabout a roof beam I designed for aservice station many years ago. Myrecommendations were dismissedbecause “the loads are wrong”. Up until then I had considered thatloads came from tables and I had nocontrol over them. I discovered Iwas wrong.

Clearly my pondering is too sim-plistic to ever approach a solution to“bad roads”. I claim no competencein this area (a claim I believe I haveproven) and I will continue to retreatto the “I’m not competent” defensewhen confronted about it. But I will persist in looking at both the“variables” and the “constants”associated with design projects Iundertake. Strange, how often oneruns into “variable constants” thatchange the entire complexion of a problem. ■

...when push comes to shoveM.G. (Ron) Britton, P.Eng.

DesiGn

JUNE 2006 THE KEYSTONE PROFESSIONAL 11

Attention MITs (and former MITs)We are running out of space – so as of July 1, 2006, APEGMwill no longer be retaining progress reports or supervisorreports after Members-in-Training have been registered as aP.Eng or P.Geo. Pertinent information from these reports will still continue to reside in our database and within themember folders. Also, final references will continue to beretained as per our Privacy Policy.

TThheerreeffoorree,, MMIITTss pplleeaassee mmaakkee ssuurree tthhaatt yyoouu rreettaaiinn aaccooppyy ooff yyoouurr pprrooggrreessss rreeppoorrtt((ss)) pprriioorr ttoo sseennddiinngg iitt ttooAAPPEEGGMM aanndd ttoo yyoouurr ssuuppeerrvviissoorr((ss))..

If MITs are currently on the Pre-Registration program, andhave not kept copies of their past reports in the past, andwould like copies sent, please contact the APEGM office.Please note that there will be a fee of $53.50 ($50 plus GST)to cover the Association’s administrative costs.

For further information, please see our Privacy Policy andour updated Document Retention Policy on our website.(The updated policy will be available as of June 1, 2006).

If you have any questions, please contact Sharon atssankar@apegm.mb.ca and use subject header: ProgressReport Retention.

Sincerely, Sharon Sankar, P.Eng.Director of Admissions/Privacy Officer, APEGM

THOUGHTS ON

JUNE 2006THE KEYSTONE PROFESSIONAL12

From April 27-30, theUniversity of WinnipegDuckworth Center was again

alive with young Manitobansattending the annual ManitobaSchools Science Symposium(MSSS). Children and youth fromgrades four through 12 enteredalmost 500 projects that rangedfrom creative papier-mâché crea-tures in the “Create an Alien” category, to university level researchprojects in the “Health Sciences”category. Again this year, APEGM’sPublic Awareness Committeearranged to provide prizes in theSpecial Awards category for thoseprojects that related to Engineeringand/or Geoscience.

As they have done for the lastnumber of years, enthusiasticAPEGM volunteers judged the projects for the APEGM SpecialAwards. The best of these projects,based on ingenuity and effort, wouldreceive awards totalling $3135.00 incash and other various prizes donatedby APEGM ($1475) and other

contributors ($1475). The other contributors comprised a number of Manitoba businesses: Crosier,Kilgour & Partners Ltd.; FWSConstruction; IEEE WinnipegSection; KGS Group; ManitobaHydro; Maple Leaf Construction;Nelson River Construction;Teshmont Consultants LP; The National Testing LaboratoriesLimited; and the Vector Construction Group.

Awards

An assortment of prizes includingcash, McNally Robinson gift certificates, digital cameras, job-shadowing opportunities, andmini-university vouchers were given out by APEGM president, Dr. Digvir Jayas, to the followingelementary, junior, intermediate, and senior level students:Elementary Grades 4-6Tyler Matthews—R.O.V. RemotelyOperated Vehicle

Ari Robinson—Creating Stronger,Cheaper, Lighter Bridges

Jules Gilbert—Expandable Briefcase

Mathew Sarides—A Self PropelledProjectile Launcher

Riley Laurencelle and JeremyLenchyshyn—Tsunami!

Isaac Wiebe—Cool Conductors

Kaitlynn Sandulak and Erik Ursini—What Powers Your House?

Junior Grades 7-8Cody Shaw—Piezo Power

Jennifer Yong—TremendousTrebuchets

Adam Nowicki—Construction Woods Under Torsional Load

Michael Wiens—Totally Turbines

Michael Teichman—Brace Power

Nirusan Jayaranjan—Safe Streets:Preventing Drunk Driving

Intermediate Grades 9-10Colin Xiong and ShubhoBhattacharyya—The Power of Waste

Shanleigh Thomson—Beaches,Germs and Sand

Senior Grades 11-12Matt Haydey—A Novel PrototypePreamp Design

Kevin Zhang and Victor Mui—Microchannel Heat Sinks

Volunteers

APEGM would like to thank the following members for helping with

the APEGM special awards at thesymposium:

Wynn Bridges—JudgeDevang Joshi—JudgeJohn Rooney—MSSS Coordinatorfor the Public Awareness Committee& Judge

Hugh Roche—Public AwarenessCommittee, Judge

Lian Tan—Judge

APEGM would also like toacknowledge those of you whosigned up with the MSSS as judgesin other categories; keep up thegood work and hope to see you back next year! ■

APEGM president, Dr. Digvir Jayas, presents elementary student TylerMatthews with an award for his RemotelyOperated Vehicle (R.O.V.) project.

Young Manitobans With A Bright Future!D.J. Etcheverry, GIT