OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2019 - 10

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

CANADA GOES TO THE
POLLS - OSPE'S FEDERAL
ELECTION ROUNDTABLE
October 9, 2019
Parkview Manor
North York, Ontario
It's election time! Canada's Federal Election will be taking
place on October 21, 2019.
OSPE will be hosting a Federal Election Roundtable,
where our advocacy Task Forces and Committees will
showcase a comprehensive National Strategy that includes
recommendations regarding energy, climate change and
the environment, innovative technology, infrastructure, as
well as ways to increase the number of underrepresented
groups in STEM.
We will also hear from politicians running for office, talking
about their party's platforms and commitments on issues
that affect the engineering profession and society in general.
The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers wants to hear
from each political party about their ideas and solutions to
Canada's pressing issues, and what they would do if elected
on October 21st.
Register for this event today at www.ospe.on.ca/events.
We want to hear from you - what can our Federal
Government do better, and how? How can Canada:
* Fight climate change?
* Get its resources to new markets?
* Establish an energy corridor?
* Deal with plastics?
* Get more and better quality infrastructure projects built?
* Build Smart Cities?
* Cope with the rapid change in technology and its impact
on the labour market?
* Increase underrepresented groups' participation in the
engineering profession?
Tell us what you would include in your own Election
Platform by sending an email to advocacy@ospe.on.ca
or connecting with us on the Society Notes blog or social
media.
Engage with OSPE leading up to Election 2019 to make sure
your voice is heard.

THE VOICE

Fall 2019

17th Annual Claudette MacKayLassonde Forum It's Time We Build
focuses on a brighter future for
women in STEM
On June 18, 2019, more than 300 individuals gathered together
to attend the 17th Annual Claudette MacKay-Lassonde It's Time
We Build Forum, presented by OSPE's Women in Engineering
Advocacy Champions Task Force (WE ACT).
Held in Kitchener-Waterloo, this event focused on practical
solutions to empower women in the STEM sector. The event
presented a clear position: It is not enough to acknowledge the
ongoing issues. We must implement actionable strategies to be
more inclusive and diverse in the workplace. #ItsTimeWeBuild
a better future for the women in the field and trail blaze a path
for the women to come.
The day began with video greetings from Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau and the Honourable Bardish Chagger, followed
by in-person greetings from MPP Jane McKenna (Burlington),
and MPP Catherine Fife (Waterloo). All government
representatives acknowledged that women continue to face
barriers in STEM fields and that this poses significant risks to
the Canadian and Ontario economies.
Following the government greetings, Angela Wojtyla, P.Eng.,
Chair of WE ACT, briefly discussed the history of the committee and provided an overview of the three key issues OSPE is
focusing on to address gender equity.
The second keynote, Carolyn David, P.Eng, ing., Manager,
Major Risk Process, CN Rail, discussed her personal experience
as a woman in engineering. She outlined various programs at
CN Rail to foster employee physical and mental wellbeing and
discussed the importance of sponsors and mentors in her career.
Alicia Sullivan, a Director at Catalyst, presented various steps
women can take to advance their careers, including making
bold decisions.
A panel discussion on Mentorship vs. Sponsorship explored
the benefits of both professional relationships and how they are
critical to advancing a woman's career, especially since women
in STEM often lack these kinds of professional figures whom
they can relate to.
The second panel on Men and Equality the importance of a
man's role in gender parity efforts. Panelists spoke of the significance of having men in the workplace as active participants
in equity, diversity, and inclusion practices.
Overall, the conference was a resounding success. Delegates
were engaged and inspired to create change in their own careers
and support those around them. The issues are clear, it is time
to discuss solutions and strategies - #It'sTimeWeBuild a new
reality. To view a re-cap of the event, visit OSPE's YouTube page.

http://www.ospe.on.ca/events

OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2019

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