ASET Technology Alberta Winter 2022 - 9

unresolved - because APEGA simply and flatly, with the
offer of no rationale, refused to discuss it.
Here is the reasoned proposal put forward by ASET to government
and to APEGA in those processes, essentially the
same as proposed over and over through the years:
Practice of applied science and engineering technology
means: collecting, processing and analyzing
data; designing and preparing plans, equipment,
processes and specifications; advising on, researching
and evaluating systems, processes, equipment,
tools, designs, plans and specifications; directing the
construction, technical inspection, maintenance or
operation of any structure, work or process related to
the application of established engineering or applied
science principles and methods of problem-solving,
and generally applying such principles and methods
using industry-recognized codes, standards, procedures
and practices in work, and in the teaching of
applied science or engineering technology at a polytechnic
institute or college.
And the accompanying exemption:
A person engaged in the practice of applied science
or engineering technology as a certified engineering
technologist licensed by the Association of Science
and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta
pursuant to Part 8 of this Act.
So, where do we stand now?
The Professional Governance Act, Bill 23:
Early this year, the Government of Alberta introduced legislation
to regularize and oversee self-regulating professions
additional to those covered by the Legal Profession Act or
the Health Professions Act. The Engineering and Geoscience
Professions Act would be repealed by this Act, and
some nine self-regulating professions including engineers
and technologists would be regulated overall by the new Act.
Very much of what the Act effects is something which ASET
supports, as it would improve regulation in an even-handed
manner and in the public interest. Much of what is currently
set in various acts would be essentially moved down into
regulations and bylaws - something which the joint ASET
and APEGA legislative review recommended.
The scope or definition of practice issue as it involves technologists
is unsettled by Bill 23, which defers consideration
of such things to the regulations under the Act. When the
Act is proclaimed (likely early in 2023) the content of the
ASET Regulation will need to be defined in discussions with
Government and with " stakeholders. " No doubt, APEGA will
express an interest in our regulation and expect to be heard
by Government. We have no reason to believe that APEGA
has seen the light.
So, the push goes on. So, we need
to continue to exert the position that
we have for many years, and which is
supported by most major employers
and municipalities. The regulation will
need to say something about definitions
and scopes, as we have been assured
by Government that both ASET and
APEGA will have distinct regulations.
We must be vigilant in ensuring that is
followed through. We must ensure, in
the public interest, that the profession is
recognized and respected, and that the
right to practice in accordance with our
education and qualifications is upheld.
Members will be hearing more from ASET, in an informational
movement to Government which we refer to as ASETforward.
This is a defining moment for the profession and for the
public interest.
As we have emphasized for years now, the public is entitled
to know who is qualified to do a thing and to be able
to get them to do it.
TECHNOLOGY ALBERTA | WINTER 2022 | 9
ASET Technology Alberta Winter 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASET Technology Alberta Winter 2022
