MR: 2024-01
May 21, 2024
Media Release – For Immediate Release
OVER 130 NORTHERN ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS CONVENED IN YELLOWKNIFE ON BUILDING A RESILIENT NORTH
Yellowknife – The Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG) hosted its annual Professional Development Symposium from May 16-17, 2024 at the Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife with Honourable Caroline Wawzonek, Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister of Infrastructure and Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation as keynote speaker.
This year’s theme, Building a Resilient North: People, Projects and Professions brought industry leaders and researchers from across Canada together with over 130 Northern professionals to share the latest in what it takes to build a resilient North.
“NAPEG is responsible for the regulation and support of the professional practice of engineering and geoscience in the Northwest Territories in the public interest. Establishing and maintaining the standards of knowledge, skill and care expected of our professionals is an important part of that responsibility. The annual Professional Development Symposium is our premiere learning event to achieve that,” Paul Guy, P.Eng., President of NAPEG says.
The two-day in-person and virtual Symposium covered emergent topics including examining pipe breaks in Iqaluit’s water supply, a status update on the 30 By 30 initiative by Engineers Canada – an initiative which aims to increase representation of women in the field – and discussions on how to recruit and retain talent in the North in both the private and public sector.
These topics tailored to enrich and develop engineers and geoscientists in the North resonated with Ms. Wawzonek’s keynote address, which focused on innovative approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation, youth engagement in STEM, and the new Practice of Engineering, Geoscience and Applied Science Technology Act.
“The expertise, dedication, and innovation of the territory’s professional engineers and geoscientists are key in meeting the pressing needs of the North and solving complex challenges. From designing critical infrastructure to developing sustainable energy solutions, this work is woven into the daily lives of all residents,” says Ms. Wawzonek.
In addition to the Symposium, the NAPEGG Education Foundation hosted its annual Awards Banquet on the evening of the 16th to recognize professionals and firms in the North for outstanding achievements in the field. The following awards were presented:
Professional Award of Merit in Engineering – Rankin Inlet Runway Rehab, Dillon Consulting
Professional Award of Merit in Geoscience – Aurora Geoscience
Award for Environmental Excellence – Steve Kokelj, PhD
Science Teacher Award – Nikita Morozov, Chris Silzer and Jennifer Genge
Young Achiever Award – Rebecca Saari, P.Eng.
Distinguished Life Membership – Peter Bengts, P.Eng., FEC, FHC (Hon.) and Hendrik Falck, P.Geo., FGC
Past President Award – Melanie Williams, P.Eng.
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For more information and for interview requests, please contact:
Kailey Morin, Communications Consultant
905-407-9005
contact@kaileymorin.ca
Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG) is responsible for the licensing of professional engineers and professional geoscientists in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the regulation of the practices of professional engineering and professional geoscience, the establishment and maintenance of standards of knowledge, skill, care and professional ethics among its registrants, in order that the interests of the public may be served and protected.