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

Lisa Thompson, MPP Huron-Bruce, met with PAN member Bruce Potter, P.Eng., in August to discuss nuclear energy in that riding and across Ontario. OSPE POLITICAL ACTION NETWORk IN FULL SWING Volunteers instrumental in delivering OSPE messages to MPPs By Kristina Brugger This fall, OSPE's Political Action Network (PAN) has been shifting into high gear, meeting with MPPs across the province to inform them of issues affecting engineers throughout Ontario. More than 22 meetings took place over the final weeks of summer and into the early fall, with several more planed for the months ahead. PAN members have met with Bas Balkissoon, MPP Scarborough-Rouge River; Rob Leone, MPP Cambridge; Lisa Thompson, MPP Huron-Bruce; Rick Bartolucci, MPP Sudbury; and Peter Tabuns, MPP Toronto-Danforth, just to name a few. These meetings have been instrumental in conveying key OSPE messages regarding engineers' concerns about pubic transit enhancements, infrastructure development, Ontario's energy mix, investments in innovation and the engineering labour landscape. This year, PAN meetings are also targeting messages strategically to the ridings impacted most by these issues. On the issue of transit, PAN members are discussing the urgent need for viable solutions to ease costly traffic congestion and gridlock, particularly in the Greater TorontoHamilton Area (GTHA). PAN volunteers are urging the implementation of stable funding commitments and revenue tools to turn current plans into timely projects. PAN members are also urging MPPs from all parties to view infrastructure spending as a much-needed investment that fosters prosperity and job creation. More important, PAN volunteers are highlighting the need to involve professional engineers not only in the design, construction and management of infrastructure projects, but also in public policy development. Incorporating engineering expertise at all stages will ensure optimal long-term return on investment, while safeguarding the public. Energy is a significant issue in several ridings. PAN members are voicing concerns to MPPs about the ability of the province's current electrical grid to effectively integrate a large, rapid increase in intermittent renewable generation. They are also advocating for a mix of energy generation sources that includes nuclear, an important component of the energy mix that must be combined effectively with renewables to meet Ontario's power needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With Ontario engineers at the forefront of development of new ideas and inventions, the subject of innovation has also been on the PAN agenda. PAN members are encouraging the Government of Ontario to provide more effective supports for regional hubs and incubators so that the province can realize its potential for global leadership in research, innovation and commercialization of new technology. A key outcome of innovation leadership is job creation. Since late 2012, OSPE has been researching Ontario's engineering labour market to better understand why engineering jobs remain unfilled while many engineers struggle to secure employment. To help solve this imbalance, PAN members are urging MPPs to support incentives that will encourage industry to provide more co-ops, internships and on-the-job training to engineering students, new engineering graduates, internationally trained engineers and even seasoned engineers seeking job opportunities. New this fall, summaries of all OSPE PAN meetings are now available via the OSPE website. View the summaries and learn more about this important grassroots outreach at www.ospe.on.ca/PAN. Kristina Brugger is OSPE's Government Relations Coordinator, overseeing all PAN activities. For more information on PAN and how you can get involved in your riding, visit www.ospe. on.ca/pan or contact Kristina at kbrugger@ospe.on.ca or (416) 223-9961, ext. 243. TheVoice Fall 2013 2 3 http://www.ospe.on.ca/PAN http://www.ospe.on.ca/pan http://www.ospe.on.ca/pan

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

OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2013
Contents
Viewpoint
Newsbytes
Engineers of Influence/WEAC Fall Forum
OSPE-PEO Chapter BBQs
Tom Anselmi, P.Eng.
Profile: Bill and Bob Goodings
The 66th Annual Professional Engineers Awards Gala
Now Hiring Engineers?
Preparing New Grads for Employment
Canada’s Engineering Labour Market
Point & Counterpoint
Tackling Transit
OSPE Political Action Network in Full Swing
Energy Planning
Elliot Lake Inquiry
Intellectual Property
Learn, Develop, Grow Your Career
Grow Your Engineering Team

OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2013