APRIL 2007 ISSUE
READERS' FORUM
Corporate Component In Heightened Costs
Our new premier is being pressured by big business, especially EPC firms,
to do something about the high costs of construction. Having worked in the industrial
construction sector most of my career, I can tell you with some certainty that
it’s a problem that arises out of a degradation of our work ethic.
The parties largely responsible for this degradation are big EPC corporations
- the ones now blaming government, to some degree rightfully so, for the problem.
The major problem with low productivity on our construction sites today is the unqualified constructor by Canadian standards. Government over the last decade or more has allowed poorer qualification for a task to gradually become the norm.
The corporate giants from down south brought in their international teams, comprising people who, on average, are of lower qualification than ones who were retained by their countries of origin. It’s widely understood in the construction industry that the good worker, generally speaking, works near home.
It’s also well documented that money is not a major motivator of the good worker. More often, it’s the freedom allowed people to be the best they can be. And society sets that bar.
For those of us who have worked in construction in Canada most of our lives,
the industry does have its great moments. These come when Canadian standards
are maintained or, better yet, exceeded.
However, a culture of negotiation and promotion, not one of applied science,
is now apparent. And negotiated by whom? The less-qualified on the jobsite. They’re
our new management.
The fix has to do with the
re-assertion of Canadian standards and values, and increased protection against
their corruption. In fact it’s our new government’s slogan, “ An
Improved Quality of Life.”
APEGGA needs to work with government and big business on this.
Richard Eliuk, P.Eng.
Hairy Hill, Alta.
Science Night Much Appreciated
Re: Family Science Night at Pine Street Elementary School.
What an incredible Family Science Night your organization provided our Pine Street School community on Feb. 21. The next day, students and staff were still talking about it in the hallways and their classrooms.
On behalf of the students, parents, staff and community, I would like to thank the APEGGA membership for this donation of time and expertise.
We have always appreciated the support of our community members, which allows us to be able to accomplish student learning goals within limited resources. The Family Science Night linked directly to many of our student outcomes at all grade levels. Of course, the varied hands-on science activities and demos brought science to life for our students and their families.
A quote from one of our parents who e-mailed us sums things up: “Thank you for role modeling excellence in our community. The value of what you do encourages and inspires our next generation of engineers and geoscientists.”
It is through your willing commitment to the youth and families of this community that we are able to assist in preparing our students to choose career pathways and become responsible citizens of the future.
We commend APEGGA’s commitment to providing Family Science Nights to elementary schools in and around Edmonton and Calgary, and we hope you continue to offer this extraordinary experience to other school communities. Thank you again for providing our school community with such a wonderful opportunity.
Ellen Yakimyshyn
Principal
Pine Street School
Sherwood Park
APEGGA Positions on Issues Needed
If APEGGA’s mission is to protect and serve the public from inadequately designed engineering, shouldn’t we have a position with respect to global warming and its impact on society? If not on global warming then how about on energy efficiency and the impact of our economic reliance on fossil fuels?
Fifty or 100 years from now, when the impact of these phenomena are ever present to our children and grandchildren, what will be said about the steps that we as engineers took to protect the public from the impact of our development?
With the growing scientific support for global warming and the apparent approach of peak oil, shouldn’t APEGGA be doing something?
I do not see any perspective on sustainable development on the APEGGA website. Rarely do I read very much in The PEGG on renewable energy projects. And yet we could be supplying our engineers with the tools and knowledge to drastically mitigate the impact our designs are having both on the environment and the economy.
Too often have I experienced the, “Oh that would not be a cost effective means to increase efficiency.” Most of the time there isn’t even an attempt made to improve on plant efficiency unless it comes with a three-to-four-year payback.
We as engineers need to first protect the public and second serve the interests of our clients. We have the power, authority and responsibility to ensure that our designs are the best they can be and that the public is not harmed by their implementation. Even if we don’t actually implement the programs, shouldn’t we have a position and recommendation for our government’s course of action?
Together we can and should find a better way.
Jim Bererton, P.Eng.
Okotoks
Editor’s Note: The PEGG regularly publishes sustainability articles supplied by the APEGGA Environment Committee. Visit our website, www.apegga.org, and click on Regulatory Affairs, Environment Committee, for links to these articles and other sustainability materials.
The Annual Conference Professional Development Program includes a stream on sustainability. The Annual Conference and AGM run April 25 to 28 in Calgary, and you can find further information on our site.
Outgoing President David Chalcroft, P.Eng., addressed the climate change issue in his March President’s Notebook. Visit The PEGG Online on our website.