The Voice - Winter 2020 - 8

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

Advocacy for the
engineering profession
Advocacy Highlights 2020

January

OSPE meets with undergraduate students at the University
of Toronto to speak to them about the importance of becoming
OSPE members and getting involved in the profession.
OSPE attends annual meeting with Public Services and
Procurement Canada to discuss the procurement directorate
update and accessible procurement.
OSPE meets with the Department of Women and Gender
Equality Canada to discuss current work on advancing the
position of women and other underrepresented groups in
STEM.

February

OSPE CEO presents Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing
Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. OSPE's
presentation and message was clear: engineers create wealth.
OSPE attends meeting with the Ministry of Colleges
and Universities (MCU). The meeting was an opportunity
to discuss the pre-budget submission, highlighting
recommendations focused on skill development and training.
OSPE presented a brief outlining the importance of supporting
universities in changing curriculum to adapt to new economic
realities.

OSPE attends consultative roundtable with MP Julie
Dzerowicz on future workforce development. The federal
government's consultation examined the skills and talent gaps that
exist to move Canada forward in economic development, as well
as the options available and obstacles that exist to access global
talent.
OSPE attends Lobby Registry training at the City of Toronto to
ensure compliance with updates made to the registry.
OSPE meets with Ontario's Attorney General, the
Honourable Doug Downey, the Ministry of Infrastructure,
and Infrastructure Ontario to discuss the impact of rising
insurance costs for engineers. Ontario is now considered a highrisk jurisdiction by international insurance underwriters. This
has impacted engineers greatly, causing a dramatic increase in
insurance costs and implications on coverage. This impacts the
ability of small to medium sized engineering companies to operate
in the province, debilitating economic growth. OSPE also spoke
with the Attorney General about the need for regulatory reform
in the engineering profession.

March

OSPE celebrates the third annual P.Eng. Day, by engaging with
Members of Provincial Parliament to highlight the important
contributions and work engineers do in Ontario. MPP Deepak
Anand and MPP Stan Cho both delivered a message during the
daily question period to celebrate engineers.
OSPE participates in consultations with multiple Deputy
Ministers to discuss infrastructure project funding priorities
and the development of the future workforce. An invitation only
event focused on a consultation for a shared vision for the next
generation of infrastructure, and the necessary skills and talents
needed from skilled trades and design professionals to achieve
this vision.
OSPE attends Ontario Business Advisory Council discussion
with the Honourable John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural

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The Voice - Winter 2020

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