January 2008 Issue
Engineers Canada Chairs
Global Environment Committee
Engineers Canada has assumed the chair’s position on the World Federation
of Engineering Organisations Committee on Engineering and the Environment for
the next four-year term. The position was accepted in November in New Delhi,
India, during the World Congress on Urban Infrastructure in Developing Countries.
Engineers Canada says in a news release that the position “provides Canada’s engineering profession with a significant opportunity to showcase its expertise on the world stage.”
Founded in 1968, the non-governmental World Federation of Engineering Organisations brings together national engineering organizations from over 90 nations and represents some 15 million engineers around the world. It cooperates with national and other international professional institutions in developing and applying engineering to the benefit of humanity.
One of six standing committees, the WFEO’s Committee on Engineering and the Environment aims at developing, through activities and education, a worldwide understanding and commitment to sustainable development.
“During our four-year term, we plan to address the environmental challenges facing our societies,” said committee chairman and Engineers Canada Past-President Darrel John Danyluk, P.Eng.
“Working in international teams, we will identify and enhance themes such as the causes of climate change and the need to mitigate through better technologies,” said Mr. Danyluk, a Calgary resident and past APEGGA president.
The committee will work on adaptation measures to ensure the proper operation of vital infrastructure; on mitigating air pollution in third world countries; and on sustainable water and wastewater infrastructure in the developing world, he said.
While the committee has the opportunity to positively influence international practices, it also benefits Canada. “Climate change is a global issue, and chairing the Committee puts Engineers Canada in a strong position to provide its constituent members with information on how environmental issues are being addressed in countries around the world,” said Engineers Canada President Tony Dawe, P.Eng.
“This will help our members in their ongoing discussions with provincial and territorial legislators.”
TD Meloche Monnex, which has partnered with Engineers Canada for over 50 years to provide Canada’s professional engineers with home and auto insurance, is providing Engineers Canada with financial support to help fund the initiative.
“Engineers Canada is extremely pleased that TD Meloche Monnex has entered into this innovative partnership,” said Mr. Dawe. “This it truly a testimony to the value of the long-standing relationship TD Meloche Monnex has with the engineering profession.”
“TD Meloche Monnex is delighted and honoured to be the sponsor of this important undertaking,” said Jean R. Lachance, chairman of the company’s affinity market group.
In October, Engineers Canada signed a mutual recognition agreement with Engineers
Australia that enhances the international mobility of professional engineers.
The relationship between the two organizations is further strengthened through
the WFEO — Engineers Australia’s past national president Barry Grear
AO has now assumed the office of WFEO president.