The Voice - Summer 2021 - 12

ADVOCACY IN ACTION
2
Increased Visibility and
Recognition
OSPE has received the attention of both mainstream media
and industry publications on key files.
In 2020, OSPE's Energy Task Force released a report that
demonstrates that Ontario wasted enough clean electricity
to power 720,000 homes in 2019, 12% more than in 2018.
Findings of the report were sent to the media, and the story
was picked up by more than 120 media outlets and industry
publications.
3
Engagement with OSPE's
Advocacy Events
OSPE hosts advocacy roundtables, panels, and conferences.
The engagement from industry, government, and academia
at these events demonstrates the recognition of engineers
as innovators and thought leaders.
OSPE's largest event of 2020, The #EDIAdvantage, saw
an attendance of more than 1,500 people and more than
50 partners. OSPE hosts diversity and inclusion forums
to bring together key stakeholders in academia, industry,
and government to the state of diversity and inclusion in
the STEM sector. These events present an opportunity for
attendees to learn, share, and network. They also provide the
sector with a platform to share knowledge, discuss challenges,
set goals, and ultimately implement strategies, programs,
and policies that generate greater diversity and inclusion in
the workplace.
4
Adopting Recommendations
into Policy
Since OSPE's inception, the government has made many
decisions in line with the recommendations put forth by
engineers. These decisions are often the result of a chorus
of voices of organizations or associations demanding change
and demonstrating consensus. However, there are instances
where decisions or policy changes are attributed specifically
to one organization.
In 2018, the government of Ontario included OSPE in
its Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan, outlining the
organization's recommendations on the importance of
reusing excess soil rather than continuing with traditional
dig and dump approaches.
5
Government-Funded Projects
OSPE's work to enhance the reputation and visibility of
engineers across all levels of government has also resulted
in numerous governments-funded projects, since 2018 OSPE
has received a total of over $2M. These projects enable OSPE
to conduct research, create tools, programs, and initiatives
that benefit the engineering community.
Most recently, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation,
and Parks (MECP) provided funding to OSPE to manage and
deliver the project Beneficial Reuse of Excess Soil at Aggregate
Operations.
OSPE, along with subject matter expert and Board Director
Dave Carnegie, P.Eng., produced a scientific report and a
best management practices document which is published
and available on the OSPE website. With the enactment on
January 1, 2021 of O. Reg. 406/19: ON-SITE AND EXCESS
SOIL MANAGEMENT, the reports will assist Qualified
Persons (QPs), most of whom are professional engineers, in
the development of excess soil quality standards in aggregate
operations.
OSPE is the official voice of the engineering profession.
Our role is to represent engineers and push the government
to make the right decisions based on evidence. You have the
extensive knowledge and expertise to develop solutions to
the problems facing Ontario, and are bound by a Code of
Ethics to protect the public and the environment. OSPE
needs your involvement and perspective - we are here to
amplify your voice.
How can you ensure the voice of your profession is heard?
Get engaged, join the discussions on the ENGage Forum,
submit your ideas, and encourage your fellow engineers to
do the same.
ON THE WEB
For more information or to find out how you can get
involved, contact OSPE at advocacy@ospe.on.ca
12
THE VOICE June 2021
The Voice - Summer 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Voice - Summer 2021
