The Voice - Winter 2020 - 10

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

July

OSPE presents to the Standing Committee on Finance
and Economic Affairs regarding: The Study of the
recommendations relating to the Economic and Fiscal
Update Act, 2020 and the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis
on certain sectors of the economy (Infrastructure). OSPE
calls on the provincial government to support the engineering
community if it wishes to capitalize on their economic
recovery efforts. It also stresses the importance for new
funding allocations to provide a sustainable benefit for diverse,
future generations by ensuring a targeted focus on sustainable
infrastructure, talent development and retention, and fostering
innovation.

August

OSPE hosts non-member town hall to discuss issues of
importance to the engineering community. OSPE President
and Chair, Réjeanne Aimey, engaged with non-members,
sharing what OSPE is currently doing to advance the interests
of the engineering community.

recommendations developed by engineers for the short-term and
long-term economic recovery of the province. Recommendations
presented are sorted into three strategic areas: engineering
workforce, sustainability, and innovation.
OSPE engages in talks with opposition MPPs regarding the
need for regulatory reform in the engineering profession.
OSPE met with the following MPPs:
* MPP Stephen Blais (Liberal- Critic for Municipal Affairs)
* MPP Gurratan Singh (NDP- Critic for the Attorney General)
*M
 PP Sara Singh (NDP- Critic for Municipal Affairs and Housing)
* MPP Michael Mantha (NDP- Critic Northern Development
and Mines)
* MPP Lucille Collard (Liberal- Critic for the Attorney General)
* MPP Mike Schreiner (Green Party)
After consultation with OSPE members, CBC reports about
the widespread forgery of an engineer's seal. Without a strong
regulator focused on protecting the public and the environment,
the public perception of the engineering community in Ontario
will continue to be in jeopardy. OSPE has been advocating for
changes at PEO for years, calling on its leadership to solely focus
on their primary objective to regulate the practice of professional
engineering

OSPE's Advocacy Committees

September

OSPE sends letters to both the Ontario and federal
governments outlining long-term actions needed for the
economic recovery of the province and nation because
of the COVID-19 crisis. The long-term letters provided
recommendations that built on phase 1 and phase 2 of the
economic recovery plan proposed by engineers. These focused
on additional medium and long-term supports that create
a prosperous transition to a knowledge-based, innovative
economy that engineers are key in helping create and sustain.

October

OSPE is invited to participate in a pre-budget consultation
with the Ontario Government. The submission includes the

10

THE VOICE Winter 2021

OSPE's mission is to advocate on issues of importance to society
and the engineering profession and create opportunities for
engineers and engineering graduates to connect, collaborate and
contribute as they progress through their careers. We ensure
government, media and the public appreciate how critical the
engineering profession is to growing Ontario's economy while
protecting the environment and improving the quality of life we
enjoy in our province.
In order to ensure that we effectively capture the voice of our
members in all of our advocacy efforts, OSPE has six committees/
task forces, made up of professional engineers, EITs, and
engineering graduates. The objectives of these committees/task
forces are:
* To conduct research on topics of interest or expertise amongst
the engineering community
* To create sound policy recommendations and participate in
OSPE's Lobby Day & MPP Reception
*T
 o engage all OSPE members and other stakeholders in advocacy
The Voice - Winter 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Voice - Winter 2020
