As the fall shifts to early winter and we reflect on the year’s progress, we are reminded that our work continues to evolve, just like the changing landscape. Over the next few months, we’ll see exciting updates, like the introduction of important new bylaws, a new strategic plan for the Education Foundation, the NAPEG election, and much more. Keep reading for all the details in your Fall Executive Update. 

 

Revisions and Bylaws

On October 3rd, 2023, after many years of collaborative work between NAPEG and the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Legislative Assembly passed Bill 93. This thrusted the new Practice of Engineering, Geoscience and Applied Science Technology Act into action. 

The new Act required significant work by NAPEG to draft new bylaws and policies – work which has taken place over the last year. In September 2024, the NAPEG Council approved the revised bylaws and distributed them to members for a review and comment period. That period has now ended. 

Thank you to all who provided thoughtful comments and to the staff and Revision Committee who worked on them. The Revised Bylaws have been finalized (review in full here) and are now prepared for a ballot vote by members, which will remain open Nov 1st – Nov 30th, 2024. Members, please check your inboxes for your unique code to vote.

 

 


This revision will do the following:

  • Include the schedule of fees and dues in the bylaws as required by the new Act.
  • Change the procedure for amending bylaws in the future. (i.e. Council will have the authority to amend the bylaws with 30 days’ notice to registrants.)
    • These bylaws are final and cannot be altered at this time.
    • With the new amending formula making it more efficient to make bylaws changes, registrants will have future opportunities for input and suggestions through the Executive Director/Registrar and committee work.
  • Define new classifications of registration as defined under the new Act.
  • Clarify requirements for registration.
  • Confirm the composition of Council, confirm that all registrants as defined may vote, and voting procedures.
  • Outline the requirements for registrants to undertake Continuing Professional Development which will be mandatory under the new Act.
  • Outline the process for dismissing frivolous complaints, new discipline options and the new legal requirement to publish the results of discipline hearings.

New powers under the Act will be brought into force over the next 2 – 3 years as new policies, procedures and professional practice standards are developed to allow for the registration of individuals with limited practice licenses and as technicians and technologists.



NAPEGG Education Foundation Update

Strategic Plan 

The NAPEGG Education Foundation is in the process of developing its first-ever strategic plan — a key step in setting a clear direction and ensuring we maximize our impact. Strategic planning allows organizations like ours to focus on what matters most, helping us to set priorities and align our actions with our mission. Through this process, we’re answering important questions like: 

  • What is our purpose? 
  • How are we achieving that today? 
  • What do we need to do it better? 
  • How will we achieve it in the next 1-3 years? 

We have engaged two nonprofit strategists to lead this work. Phase 1: Review and Analysis was completed this past summer, which involved an environmental scan and consultation with membership and key stakeholders. Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback via the member survey and to those who participated in the key informant interviews. 

The Board convened in early October for a strategic discussion and to review the aggregate results. Here are a few key highlights: 

  • Survey respondents ranked “Future-Looking” (76%), “Community-Minded” (68%) and “Sustainable” (66%) as top key values the Foundation should be guided by.
  • 95% of survey respondents identified mentorship as a gap in the North. 
  • Increasing the number of underrepresented professionals in engineering and geoscience in the North was identified as a shared priority. 
  • Community and industry partnerships emerged as a key theme.  

Phase 2: Strategy Development is now underway. The insights gathered in Phase 1 will directly shape and inform the strategic plan, ensuring it reflects the values and priorities of our members and stakeholders. We expect to have a finalized 3-year strategic plan ready to begin implementation in January 2025. We look forward to sharing the details of the plan with you as we begin to roll out recommendations in the new year. 

 
2024 NAPEG Scholarships 

The NAPEGG Education Foundation offers scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students to encourage the achievement of excellence in the engineering and geoscience professions in the North. We are pleased to announce that the following students have been awarded scholarships for the 2024/2025 academic year:

Graduate scholarships: 

  • Jade Lockie, University of BC Okanagan  

Undergraduate scholarships: 

  • Cassie Rogers, University of Waterloo 
  • Elaine Cronk, University of Alberta
  • Gordon Kwong, University of British Columbia 
  • Stella Wong, University of British Columbia 
  • Ethan Aumond, University of Waterloo
  • Joseph Curran, University of Calgary 
  • Kabbamoy Paul, University of Alberta 
  • Roald Peters, University of British Columbia 
  • Isabella Karl, University of Alberta 
  • Ian Gau, University of Alberta  

Congratulations to all of the recipients! 

 


Engineers Canada and the Futures of Engineering Accreditation 

The Futures of Engineering Accreditation is an initiative by Engineers Canada. In 2021, engineering regulators including NAPEG approved a new strategic priority to investigate and validate the purpose and scope of accreditation. Over the last several years, a co-designed process has been executed, which included the following phases: Research, Understanding the Existing System, Introducing New Voices, and Nurturing an Emergent System. You can read a summary of the fall 2023 consultations here. You can also share your thoughts with Engineers Canada through their feedback form here. 

Now in its final phase, the finalized version of the Path Forward Report is expected to be released in the coming months. When the report is launched and the changes begin to unfold, NAPEG will be here to guide both current and future members. Stay tuned for more updates as we work to ensure a smooth transition and continue to support members with the regulatory and accreditation information and resources they need.


NAPEG 2025 Elections

NAPEG’s 2025 Elections will open in January 2025. Elections will be held for the offices of 2nd Vice President and two Councillors. Members in-good-standing may appear on the ballot by having the support and signatures of five (5) NAPEG Members. Annual dues for 2025 (as applicable under NAPEG Acts and bylaws) must be paid to run for election, to nominate and to vote during the election. Election polls will close in April. 

We encourage our skilled and experienced NAPEG members to consider running. You can help shape the future of our professions in the North. If you have any questions please reach out to napeg@napeg.nt.ca for more information. 

 


NAPEG Awards Now Open! 

Nominate a professional engineer, geoscientist, or team that has made significant contributions in their work in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut. The NAPEG Awards are now open! Winners will be recognized at the 2025 NAPEG Awards Banquet in May. 

Learn more about the nomination criteria for 11 different award categories and find nomination forms here. The deadline for nominations is February 28th, 2025.

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

NAPEG Social Events 

It was great seeing many of you at the NAPEG trivia night on October 22. Five teams showed up, or formed the night of, with final scores ranging from 10 – 23.5 out of 40. The winning team of the event were the Kool Kids who took home the grand prize of a spooky skeleton playing the piano. There were smaller prizes too consisting of full-size candy bars (the best house on the block on Halloween) and bags of chips. Some participants contested some questions the night of but weren’t able to prove their point due to rules 1 and 6: No phones or outside methods to find answers and the Quizmaster has the final say on all answers. Thanks to all who joined us! 

Mark your calendars for our annual Christmas social, which will take place on December 5th, 5:00 – 8:00 pm at Explorer Hotel Katimavik Room B in Yellowknife, NT. 

Industry Events

The 52nd Yellowknife Geoscience Forum will be on November 26th – 28th, 2024. This in-person forum invites delegates from industry, academia and government. Jade Lockie, PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia and recipient of a 2023/2024 graduate scholarship from NAPEG, will be co-chairing a session on mineral prospects in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. 

NAPEG will also sponsor the Charles Camsell Public Lecture Series led by Penny Morril, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Earth Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland. This lecture is open to the public, subject to room in the auditorium.

Lecture: Knock, knock – anybody home? Serpentinite-hosted springs, portals into the subsurface biosphere and their relevance to search for extra-terrestrial life
Where: Princes of Wales Northern Heritage Centre auditorium (4750 48 Street) 

When: Wednesday, November 27th, 19:00 to 21:00

Learn more here. 


Thanks for reading!

Vince McCormick, ED and Registrar
&
Paul Guy, P.Eng., FEC., President
NAPEG