OSPE - The Voice - Spring 2014 - (Page 23)

OPPORTUNITIES, IMPLICATIONS FOR ENGINEERS IN NEW TRADE AGREEMENT Last fall, OSPE was invited to a Two key aspects of the agreement concerns, the Government of Ontario special Ontario Chamber of are especially pertinent to engineers, has incorporated requirements for Commence (OCC) seminar on the particularly those in manufacturing "local knowledge" into Infrastructure recently signed Canada European and consulting: Ontario bidding processes. For this Union Trade Agreement (CETA). 1. Reciprocal mobility - there will reason, even if a European firm wins Expert panellists from OCC, Canadian be few restrictions for Canadian a contract under CETA, OSPE sees Importers and Exporters Association, professionals and skilled workers potential for partnerships with Ontario Canadian Manufacturing and Export- who wish to work temporarily in the firms to ensure that local knowledge ers (CME) and Cassels Brook and EU and vice versa. is brought to the table. Blackwell, LLC provided an overview 2. More bidding opportunities, more OSPE is also in talks with OCC, CME, of CETA and concurred that the agree- competition - Canadian firms will be Consulting Engineers of Ontario (CEO) ment will benefit Ontario businesses. accorded preferential treatment in and other groups to coordinate While the panellists emphasized that EU procurement and vice versa. This communication strategies and train- the specifics of CETA are months away will especially impact companies ing opportunities. OSPE will continue from completion, they nonetheless providing infrastructure projects and to provide Ontario engineering firms strongly encouraged businesses and materials. with resources and information, as associations to start planning now for OSPE recognizes that adherence to a market of over 500 million people new opportunities to provide goods Ontario codes and regulations must and services to the 28 member nations remain a critical factor when EU firms of the European Union (EU). win contracts here. To address these opens its doors to Canadian goods and services. ACROSS THE POND: OSPE-PEO POLICY FORUM EXPLORES CETA In February, OSPE joined forces with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) to co-host an informative session on opportunities for engineers within the newly inked trade agreement between Canada and the EU. In his keynote address, Ken McMartin, P.Eng., Professional and International Affairs with Engineers Canada, emphasized our nation's importance as the world's fourth-largest exporter of engineering services, demonstrating that engineering is indeed a global affair. Expert panellists followed with discussion on the regulatory and policy impacts of CETA for engineers. Stay tuned to www.ospe.on.ca for details on the next Policy Series event, scheduled for Summer 2014. TheVoice Spring 2014 2 3 http://www.ospe.on.ca

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of OSPE - The Voice - Spring 2014

OSPE - The Voice - Spring 2014
Contents
Viewpoint
OSPE is Listening
Newsbytes
Profile: Robert A. Goodings, P.Eng.
National Engineering Month
Engineers Connect at OSPE Events
Advocacy for Our Profession
Issues that Matter
Decades of Advocacy
From Classroom to Career
Talking Transit
PAN Profile
Strength in Numbers
Learning from Elliot Lake
Energy Planning
Across the Pond and Back
Intellectual Property
OSPE Employer Compensation Survey
Deadlier than Drunk Drivers?
Resources within Reach
Professional Development
OSPE Launches Corporate Program

OSPE - The Voice - Spring 2014