Tell us about your personal background.
 I grew up in South Regina going to Ecole Massey School, then Campbell Collegiate. I am married with two young kids who keep us very busy with activities. Regina has been my home for nearly 25 years. 

Why did you choose engineering, and what is your area of specialty?  
At first I chose engineering for the same reason many were choosing it at the time (and probably still do). I was good at math and science! I quickly learned there was much more depth and diversity to a career in engineering. I studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan from 2004 to 2008.

Prior to Regina’s recent municipal election, what were some of your most interesting, rewarding, and challenging professional experiences?
I started off my career after school in a very technical but diverse role, working on hydraulic and electrohydraulic designs at Applied Industrial Technologies. It was a small company, and I had to wear a number of hats. Sales, procurement, drafting, design, installation, and commissioning often all fell within my responsibility. This was challenging, especially just coming out of school. However, I gained an incredible amount of experience in a short amount of time.  

When I moved to SaskEnergy, it was in a very different role, and I realized the benefits of wearing those many hats, as I was primarily focused on project management. Over time, I realized I wanted to lean more into leadership responsibilities and ended up managing different teams, each with their own challenges. I enjoyed the technical work but, as I grew in my career, I found the dynamics and challenges of leading a team fascinating and rewarding. 

How does your engineering training and experience support your new role as Regina’s mayor?
I believe my engineering experience gives me a unique lens to analyze challenges and issues. Much of my background and experience is in construction, operations, and critical infrastructure. This is a benefit when trying to understand the work happening in the city, as there are many similarities.   

How are your family, friends, and colleagues responding to your new celebrity status?
My friends and family have been extremely supportive and keep me grounded.

What activities or interests do you enjoy outside of work?  
 I like to stay active with running and going to the gym, and I like to play rec hockey when I can find the time. I also like to unwind with some more technical hobbies such as 3D printing and a little bit of PC gaming. I am also a big Formula One and Edmonton Oilers fan. 

Any words of advice for the young and emerging engineers out there?
I would say, pay attention to how your interests grow and change. It’s okay to pivot and find what makes you happy. Engineering is a great career: it offers an incredible amount of opportunity to find a career that is fulfilling and meaningful to you. 

Tell us about your personal background.  

I was born in Winnipeg, Man., into a family well known for politics, business and contributions to the arts. My grandfather and my uncle were mayors of Winnipeg.  But politics and business weren’t my first love growing up; science and nature were.   

What drew you to geology as a career?  

I got most of my joy in childhood exploring nature. In Grade 3, one girl brought some rocks for the science fair. Her dad was a geologist. He had these beautiful specimens.  I looked at those rocks and said, “I gotta have something like that.”  I was fixated on them. “They were samples of massive sulphides from the Coppermine River area.” When I was about 13, there was a major iron ore discovery on Baffin Island (the Baffinland Iron Mine in currentday Nunavut). They showed it on the news. Sixty six per cent iron right out of the rocks.  “I want to go there,” I told my mother.  “Then you have to study hard,” she said. My dad went into engineering, but I was focused on the rocks and the love of making new discoveries. I decided then that I wanted to work on the exploration side. In 2010, I got to work there for one season as a senior geologist with a great bunch of professionals.  

You’ve travelled all over the world doing exploration and survey work. Tell us some of your most memorable experiences. 

In 1996, I took a job doing survey work in Mongolia. I had to survey the lines on a grid that was 18 kilometres by 10 kilometres – basically, the size of metropolitan Toronto laid out in the desert.   We were there for seven months.  The local diet was mutton: mutton fat, mutton soup, mutton everything. Sometimes we got lucky and might have goat. Goats are OK if they’re barbecued, but it can be a little bit chewy if you wind up with some of the fur still on the meat. One time when I was staying in a hotel in the Gobi Desert, I cut my leg open on a spring sticking out of the mattress. Somebody’s got a picture of me getting patched up in a clinic in the middle of the Gobi Desert. I’ve seen every possible climate you can imagine in every possible weather. And when you’re in the field, the number one thing you have to do is be aware of what can hurt you and kill you.  Get your shots, take your malaria medication. I learned to listen to the locals. They’re not telling stories; they’re telling you the truth, what you have to watch out for.

Any mentors or role models you’d like to tell us about?     

Jack Mollard, the founder of Regina based engineering, geoscience and environmental consulting agency JD Mollard and Associates, was a big factor in my life.  Jack went out of his way to help me find work. When he didn’t have anything for me, he bent over backwards to make sure I got work somewhere. He was marvelously generous. He was that way all of his life. There was a fellow in Toronto named Laurie Curtis who encouraged me to start working overseas. “Everybody wants to stay in Canada, close to mom and dad. But if you’ve got overseas work on your resume, you’ll be remembered and recognized. It’s challenging work, sometimes life changing,” he said. 

Why did you choose engineering? 

Growing up, I always enjoyed taking things apart and figuring out how they work. That included everything from computers to remote-controlled cars to snowmobiles. As I got older, that turned into buying broken vehicles and fixing them up to get them running again, which sparked my passion for engineering. Numbers and math came easy to me in school.

Where and when did you study engineering, and how would you describe your experience?  

I enrolled in the University of Regina’s Environmental Systems Engineering program in 2012.  I chose environmental systems because I was outdoorsy and figured that program would help me find a career that merged those together.  I had the chance to go on co-op work terms with various employers, which opened my eyes to all the career opportunities available after graduation. My experience at the U of R was overwhelmingly positive.

What are some of the most interesting, rewarding, or challenging experiences you have had as an engineer?  

After graduating, one of my previous co-op work terms led to a full-time position at the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways. I worked in traffic monitoring, traffic engineering and safety, and highway design delivery.  

I currently work as a Senior Engineer with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), where I manage the delivery of funding for infrastructure projects such as roads, water and sewer lines, schools, offices, and community buildings. 

Working with and supporting Saskatchewan First Nation communities on their major capital projects has helped me understand the importance of reconciliation in Canada. The spirit of reconciliation is in learning how the events of the past affect the present and knowing that changes are necessary to improve the lives of all Canadians. 

What have you appreciated about your career opportunities and experiences?

I have worked for the public service since the beginning of my career and always found it rewarding to help solve the problems of the public, no matter how small or how big. I’m grateful to have been in positions that allowed me to work and meet people from all over the province. I enjoy that each day brings up new challenges that need to be solved and that each week is different from the last.  

Any mentors or role models you’d like to tell us about? What insight or wisdom did they impart?  

I have been incredibly lucky to have many supportive mentors at work. They have not only provided technical guidance but have helped me develop my personal skills in order to provide better service. One of the best pieces of advice I have received was to remember to step back and listen to whoever you are talking with. If people are heard and acknowledged, they are typically more receptive to what you have to say in return. 

What activities or interests do you enjoy outside of work?

I live north of Regina on an acreage with my fiancée and our many animals. We have a small flock of ducks, geese, sheep, horses, cats, and dogs. When we’re not busy with our animals, we spend as much time outside as possible — gardening, hiking, camping, and enjoying the best Saskatchewan has to offer.

Anything else you’d like to add? 

I consider myself incredibly lucky to find a career that offers so many challenges yet is so rewarding. I’m looking forward to what the future brings and would happily encourage any young person to consider a career in engineering. 

Please tell us about yourself!
I was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. I currently serve as Professor and Head of the Department of Civil, Geological, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, and have roughly 10 years of experience as a consulting engineer.
 

Why did you choose engineering, and what is your area of specialty? 
In high school, I wanted to be a musician. Ironically, though, I wasn’t then interested in teaching, and I didn’t otherwise like the potential lifestyle. I therefore pursued Pure and Applied Science, a math and physics major, in CEGEP. I still play the saxophone in the Saskatoon Concert Band. 

I’m a structural engineer focusing on structural evaluation, especially related to the bond between concrete and historical types of reinforcing bars, and experimental mechanics and behaviour related to reinforced concrete and masonry structures.  Essentially, we build and break large objects and then try to figure out why they failed the way they did. 

Where and when did you study engineering, and how would you describe your experience?
I earned my bachelor’s degree in applied science from the University of Waterloo, my M.Sc. in Engineering from the University of Texas in Austin, and my Ph.D. in Engineering Science from the University of Western Ontario. 

I received great support and encouragement from my professors at all three universities, not to mention the experience gained during my co-operative work terms while at the University of Waterloo.   

I worked for a small company in Montreal –Gascon Vigneault Dumais Experts-Conseils — for three consecutive work terms. Both principals in the company had advanced degrees from universities outside of Canada, and they encouraged me to pursue my master’s degree and consider universities outside of Canada. 

What are some of the most interesting, rewarding, and challenging roles you have held as an engineer? 
My experience as a consulting engineer came between finishing my M.Sc. and starting my Ph.D., and for my first project I was on the internal design review team for the Confederation Bridge.  It was a rather overwhelmingly large project to get started on, but so great to be a part of.   

Now, as a professor, I enjoy working with my graduate and undergraduate students in the lab.  It takes months on end to design our experimental specimens, weeks to build, 28 days to cure, and then about 30 minutes to test to destruction! 

You’re more than a year into your term on the American Concrete Institute’s Technical Activities Committee – a role in which few Canadians have served. Any new insights or observations you’d like to share?
It’s amazing to see the knowledge and time ACI’s volunteers invest in preparing convention sessions and technical documents such as codes, specifications, and reports. I’ve learned so much from other members of the Technical Activities Committee. 

I’m also really excited to be serving as an ACI sub-committee chair for the ACI562 Code and Commentary (Assessment, Repair, and Rehabilitation of Existing Concrete Structures). We’re just wrapping up our work on the 2024 code edition, and I was the primary author for a new chapter related to the detailing and condition of reinforcement details for structural evaluation and repair design.  We’re expecting the code to be published before the end of the year. I was thrilled for the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to this committee’s work. 

Please tell us about yourself!

I’m descended from settlers and grew up on a grain farm in rural southwest Saskatchewan. I’m the oldest of two children and was one of 11 students to graduate from high school in Hazlet. I studied calculus via satellite out of Regina so that I would have the prerequisites to apply for engineering. I met my future husband, Steve, in first-year engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. We are now both professional mechanical engineers and live in Saskatoon with our two daughters, aged 12 and 14. Our girls love to play soccer and seem to have a knack for math and science like their parents.
  

Why did you choose engineering, and what is your area of specialty?  

I loved reading, math, and science from a young age. I first learned about the engineering profession when attending a career fair in Swift Current in Grade 11. I chose mechanical engineering, as I thought it would help get me a job in any industry. I ended up specializing in project and portfolio management later in my career.
  

Where and when did you study engineering, and how would you describe your experience?  

I convocated with distinction from mechanical engineering in 2005 from the University of Saskatchewan. While I had a lot of fun during my undergraduate degree, I also worked hard at my studies and completed an eight-month internship at Fording River Coal in the Elk Valley in southeastern British Columbia. I pursued an internship because, after three years of post-secondary education, I didn’t feel I understood what engineers actually did.
  

What are some of the most interesting, rewarding, and challenging roles you have held as an engineer?  

I spent the first 13 years of my career working in the mining industry in BC and Saskatchewan. I was able to visit many mine and manufacturing sites across North America, China, and Australia. One of the most rewarding jobs I had was leading the Capital and Maintenance Engineering team at Mosaic Colonsay. This was particularly rewarding, as I led the team I had been a part of for five years. I carpooled to the mine site with many different people over my time at Mosaic Colonsay and developed many long-lasting friendships. The most challenging part of my role as an engineer was being judged first by my gender, not by technical or leadership skills. I was often the only woman in the room and the only woman at the leadership table.
  

You also work as a diversity and inclusion research consultant and facilitator and have been recognized by Engineers Canada for your efforts in this area. From your perspective, where do equity, diversity, and inclusion intersect with engineering?

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is important for engineering because we need diverse ideas to solve complex problems like climate change and the energy transition. In solving complex problems, engineers also need to make sure to consider the traditional lands on which they work and live and the diverse populations they serve, and ensure that solutions they develop are equitable and accessible to end users.  

My privilege as a straight, able-bodied, white, cis-gendered woman and professional engineer means I can be an ally for Indigenous people, racialized people, persons with disabilities, and 2SGLTBQIA+ people, so perhaps they feel like they are valued for their leadership and technical skills.
  

Any mentors or role models you’d like to tell us about? What insight or wisdom did they impart?  

I have had amazing mentors and allies throughout my career. My biggest ally has always been my husband, Steve Huntley, P.Eng. An important mentor for me during my time at Mosaic Colonsay was Arlen Rosa, P. Eng. He had a knack for teaching his mentees to figure out the answer, rather than just telling them the answer. I did not have many women role models in the first 13 years of my career in mining, but through my graduate studies and my involvement as a board member with Women in Mining and Women in Nuclear Saskatchewan, I have met numerous highly qualified people of all genders who are role models, advocates, and mentors for myself and others. They’ve demonstrated the importance of embracing one’s identity alongside your technical and leadership skills.
  

What activities or interests do you enjoy outside of work? 

I enjoy gardening, paddleboarding, playing hockey, watching my kids’ sports, and travelling. My family and I toured through England and Scotland this summer to celebrate the completion of my Ph.D. and my husband’s MBA.

What is your personal background?

I grew up in Regina’s north central neighbourhood, attending Kitchener School and Scott Collegiate. We learned that making-do was not only a necessity but could also be an art form.  My first car was a 1960 Pontiac that, owing to salvage parts, was labelled Strato Chief on the right front fender, Laurentian on the left front fender, and Parisienne on the trunk.

Why did you choose engineering, and what is your area of specialty?

I was always good at objective subjects such as math and physics.  I loved my exposure to drafting in Grade 8 and I enrolled in every drafting class available as an option throughout high school (Thank you, Mr. Bergen). Also, my older brother graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in electrical engineering when I was still in high school, so I received some good career counselling from him.

My work term experience helped me realize that I was best suited to mechanical engineering, especially in heat transfer applications in the oil and gas industry.

Where and when did you study engineering and how would you describe your experience?

I started at the University of Regina, not only because of the economics of living at home, but also because the co-op program would help me finance my education.  I quickly learned that the true value of the co-op program was the exposure to hard-working people in the industry and their knowledge gained from experience.  I later learned that a tertiary value of the co-op program was writing those dreaded technical work-term reports, which I credit to developing my skills in report-writing.

I transferred to the University of Saskatchewan for my third year.  My support group was (and still is) the tight-knit group of students with whom I had been in the co-op program.

What are some of the most rewarding or challenging roles you have held as an engineer?

My first job was for SaskPower, supervising construction projects for the Poplar River Power Station. Although it was a rewarding experience to work on this mega project, I realized that a mechanical engineer working for the electrical utility in Saskatchewan would spend too much time choking on coal dust, so I looked to find a way into the gas side of SaskPower.

My opening came when a new department, created to serve natural gas to rural Saskatchewan, posted an opportunity for a Project Scheduler.  I transitioned the position to Project Engineer and participated in the company’s standards development respecting its introduction to polyethylene gas piping, 60,000 kms of which were installed under this 10-year program.

My position as Marketing Engineer within SaskEnergy included the opportunity to mentor a dozen students who produced over two dozen industrial market intelligence reports. My primary focus, though, was to be SaskEnergy’s expert in natural gas vehicles (NGV). The best NGV marketing success stories in Saskatchewan have been ice resurfacers (such as Zamboni’s), many of which are still in service today.

My career culminated in the last 15 years as Senior Engineer, Gas Codes and Standards for SaskPower/TSASK.  I embraced my membership on multiple CSA committees responsible for national gas codes and their adoption in Saskatchewan, keeping pace with rapidly developing fuels and technologies.

Any mentors or role models you’d like to tell us about?

I have three, all now deceased. Gerry Mengering, P. Eng., was a gas distribution engineer with SaskPower and SaskEnergy. Gerry taught me to seek customer-focused design solutions, even though we were working for a crown utility having a monopoly market position. Gord Williams, P.Eng., a Chief Gas Inspector with SaskPower, taught me to seek industry-focused, collaborative solutions to code compliance, rather than force regulatory requirements on an uncooperative industry. Finally, Phil Holloway, P. Eng., taught me that it was time for me to give back to APEGS as his replacement on the Experience Review Committee, which I chaired during implementation of the on-line reporting system.

What activities or interests do you enjoy outside of work?

(My wife) Bev and I have embraced photography as an activity that we can enjoy at a leisurely pace under the moniker “One of a Hird!”

The CSA Group, in selecting you for an Award of Merit, has recognized your “exceptional dedication, leadership, and outstanding commitment to the development of standards for fuels and transportation.” Can you tell us what this award means to you, personally and professionally?

Knowing the time and effort that goes into the CSA award nomination process, this award signifies to me that my colleagues and peers have truly valued my unbiased efforts in the interest of public safety.

Announcement

Engineering regulators sign agreement to strengthen collaboration and harmonization

On May 23, 2024, APEGS representatives joined Canada’s other engineering regulators across the country to sign a National Statement of Collaboration to further expand their partnership. The signing ceremony took place in Winnipeg as part of Engineers Canada’s 2024 Spring Meetings and Annual Meeting of Members.

Representing APEGS at the ceremony were President Erin Moss Tressel, P.Eng., P.Geo., FEC, FGC, Executive Director and Registrar Stormy Holmes, P. Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.), APEGS representative to Engineers Canada Ernest Barber, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.), and Andrew Lockwood, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.), incoming APEGS representative to Engineers Canada.

The National Statement of Collaboration reflects regulators’ renewed commitment to proactively work together to address national and international barriers to mobility for engineers and engineering entities, further advancing public safety and increasing regulatory efficiency.

“Throughout Canada, engineering regulators are navigating changes in public and government expectations and in the regulatory landscape,“ said APEGS President Erin Moss Tressel. “Working together more closely to align with and meet those changes is the responsible approach and will provide significant benefits for engineers in Saskatchewan and across the country, not to mention the public whose safety we are responsible to protect.”

“The signing of the statement marks a pivotal step forward for engineering regulation in Canada,” said Nancy Hill, B.A.Sc., LL.B., FCAE, FEC, P. Eng., President of Engineers Canada. “Through our collective commitment to collaboration, we strengthen our ability to uphold high standards of practice, promote public safety, and foster an equitable engineering environment for current and future engineers in each jurisdiction.”

Collaboration has been foundational to advancing engineering in Canada. Over the years, regulators have demonstrated their dedication to collaboration through programs and initiatives such as the development and implementation of the accreditation system, which ensures quality level education regardless of where the engineering education is pursued in the country. Regulators have also collectively adopted the competency-based assessment, a tool that defines the competencies to practice engineering across Canada.

We are thrilled to introduce the new President of APEGS, Erin Moss Tressel, P.Eng., P.Geo., FEC, FGC!

Erin holds a B.Sc. in Geological Engineering and M.Eng., both from University of Saskatchewan. She has worked in the Saskatchewan consulting industry for 20 years specializing in the mining, geotechnical, and environmental fields.

Erin has served on the council for the past five years and has been a volunteer in a variety of areas for more than 11 years. Additional volunteer work includes serving as the chair of the CIM Saskatoon branch and providing numerous guest lectures at the elementary and post-secondary levels on mining and geology-related topics.

Please join us in welcoming Erin Moss Tressel as our new president!

The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Regulatory Bylaws requires that the annual meeting of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan be held in the first six months of each year, so it is customarily held on the first Saturday in May.

This year’s events were a professional development conference on Friday, May 3 in person and virtual with the theme, Resilience in a Changing World, followed by the president’s reception that evening. The 94th annual meeting of the association was called to order in person and virtually at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2024 with 196 (104 in person and 92 virtual) voting members in attendance. The business of the meeting included:

• Minutes from the May 6, 2023 annual meeting
• Business arising from the minutes
• Message from the president
• Governance continuum update
• Reports from Executive Director and Registrar, Public Appointees
• The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act review update
• One Bylaw amendment – see below for more
• Audited financial statements
• New business – one motion from the floor
• 2024 election results
• Council induction

The annual report for 2023 is available at https://www.apegs.ca/about/publications/annual-reports and in print by contacting the APEGS office.

Council Elections

APEGS engaged Insightrix Research Inc., an independent third-party research firm, to conduct the 2024 council elections. Insightrix issued ballots on March 11, 2024, and polling day was on April 8, 2024.

The Executive Director and Registrar reported that the total number of votes cast was 1,587 (1,575 electronic and 12 mail), being 10.23% of the 15,506 total ballots sent out.

The new officers of the council are President Erin Moss Tressel, P.Eng., P.Geo., FEC, FGC, President-Elect Ian Farthing, P.Eng., and Vice-President Nicholas Kaminski, P.Eng. The three new councillors are Neche Igboke, P.Eng., Derek van Nes, P.Eng., and Wesley Wizniuk, P.Eng. To view all council members, go to https://www.apegs.ca/about/apegs-governance/current-council-members.

Bylaw Amendments

At the annual meeting on May 4, 2024, the members present passed motions to amend the following from The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Regulatory Bylaws.

• Regulatory Bylaw 6.1(1) – Life Member

The amendment will eliminate a contravention of the Human Rights Code by removing the age requirement for life member (engineering) and life member (geoscience). The view that people only retire at 65 is not reflective of the differing ages that people retire from the professions.

This bylaw established the requirements for an applicant to be registered as a life member (engineering) and life member (geoscience). Both life membership categories require applicants to be retired from practicing the professions and be at least 65 years of age. Since the age requirement is a contravention of the Human Rights Code, the bylaw amendment would remove the age requirement for life members.

The removal of the age requirement would allow professional members who are currently retired, but are not yet 65, to obtain life membership.

Existing Bylaw:

Life Member
6.1(1) A member in good standing who is 65 years of age or more, or who was designated a life member pursuant to The Engineering Professions Act, as it existed on March 5, 1997, and who is retired is eligible to be granted life member status by Council.

Proposed Bylaw:

Life Member
6.1(1) A member in good standing, or who was designated a life member pursuant to The Engineering Professions Act, as it existed on March 5, 1997, and who is retired is eligible to be granted life member status by Council.

Before the proposed bylaw amendment can come into force, APEGS must submit it to the minister responsible for The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act and then to the Gazette for publishing.

More information about the amendment is available at Proposed Bylaw Amendments.

Registration is open from March 20 to April 25 for in-person or virtual attendance. Go to the link below for information and to register.

https://www.apegs.ca/event/apegs-94th-annual-meeting-and-professional-development-conference

What is your personal background (hometown, schools, family, etc.)?

I grew up on a farm outside of Kenaston, SK with my three older siblings. I attended Kenaston School from kindergarten to grade 12, graduating in 2006. I like to joke I spent the majority of my time outside and only came in to sleep and eat, exploring the many acres around me.

Why did you choose geoscience and what is your area of specialty?

I have many memories as a young kid cracking open rocks on an old anvil we had in the shop.  It was a running joke in the family that I would one day be a geologist.  I ended up taking an elective geology class in high school and was hooked! In the beginning, I knew I wanted my career to take me to remote places and explore a lot of untouched areas within hard rock exploration.

Where and when did you study geoscience/get your degree and how would you describe your experience?

I attended the University of Saskatchewan from 2006 to 2010 with the set goal of getting my geology degree. I had spent the summer working for USask crop science and was intrigued by the idea of a career in agronomy, however, I stuck with geology. I had a great experience at USask and the programs were still relatively small. I learnt a lot, had a lot of fun, and made some great memories.

What jobs/roles have you held as a geoscientist?

I worked for APEX Geoscience Ltd. during my undergrad and postgraduate as an exploration geoscientist-in-training.  Working with them allowed me to see some amazing places in Canada and overseas in Australia. I returned home and worked with Golden Band Resources as a mine geoscientist-in-training in Northern Saskatchewan, this role provided valuable experience in the mining industry.  I then worked as a mine geologist in the potash sector with legacy Agrium until 2021, allowing me to settle down and start a family.  I recently made the switch back into the hard rock industry working for Foran Mining in 2022. I am now in a new role as an exploration environment and permitting specialist and have been enjoying the new experience of being involved with environmental work and community engagement.

What have you appreciated about your career opportunities and experiences?

The people hands down! I’ve met and stayed in touch with amazing people along the way who have helped me grow professionally and personally. I have also had the opportunity to visit and see many neat places and to spend time in nature exploring (what I would be doing in my free time if I wasn’t at work). Rotation work also allowed me to do some neat stuff on my time off, further exploring and travelling.

Who has inspired or mentored you in your career? What insight or wisdom did they impart?

That’s a tough question as so many people come to mind.  Rob L’Heureux was a great mentor early in my career who taught me not only a lot of great technical information but also some of the ins and outs of the industry that I carry with me to this day. The world of exploration does have its challenges, so it was important for me to have that positive influence and foundation right from the start.  I also must give a shout-out to Terry Croteau, who had a similar impact on me when it came to the mining industry and set me up for success. There were countless other folks along the way, and each one had something different to share. I appreciate the fact I had great mentors in my career.

What activities or interests do you enjoy outside of work?

I live on an acreage outside of Saskatoon with my husband and two daughters. I enjoy spending time with them going on all kinds of adventures (collecting copious amounts of insects for my oldest). I am also an avid motorcyclist and a motorcycle instructor with the Saskatchewan Safety Council, where we set people up for a safe experience in the graduated rider program.

At an awards banquet in Regina SK on Thursday, March 7, 2024, APEGS celebrated the exemplary competence of the following award recipients to foster professional excellence among members, inspire the next generation of professionals, and raise awareness of the role of engineers, geoscientists, and APEGS to protect the public.

Brian Eckel Distinguished Service – Dr.  Terry Fonstad, P.Eng., P.Ag., FEC, FGC (Hon)

Terry has spent the past 35 years of his career supporting food security through environmental engineering for animal agriculture as a consulting engineer and professor of engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. He believes the privilege of education comes with the obligation to give back and has served on local municipal council, APEGS council and executive and currently serves on several industry boards of directors. To learn more, check out this video.

Outstanding Achievement – Dr. Philip LePoudre, P.Eng.

Philip’s work at Nortek Data Center Cooling and the University of Saskatchewan led to the commercialization of a completely new liquid to air membrane exchanger technology with a wide range of application in air treatment and cooling for the HVAC industry. He has over twenty inventions related to exchanger and cooling system design, and is currently developing power and water efficient cooling solutions for the rapidly growing data center market. To learn more, check out this video.

McCannel – Dr. Sumith Kahanda, P.Eng.

With over a decade of dedication, Sumith has been at the forefront of engineering and managing water and wastewater projects, ensuring communities thrive through sustainable water solutions. Beyond his professional achievements, he passionately mentors the next generation of engineers and selflessly serves as a volunteer, inspiring a brighter future in engineering communities. To learn more, check out this video.

Exceptional Engineering or Geoscience Project – RMD Engineering Inc. – Emergency Use Ventilators

As the COVID-19 pandemic started overwhelming healthcare systems around the world, Jim Boire and his team decided to design and manufacture an emergency use ventilator. In 42 days RMD Engineering Inc. had developed and achieved 3rd party approval and submitted to the federal government for approval, and within nine months their ventilator received COVID-19 Medical Device Authorization from Health Canada. Along the way, RMD Engineering’s subsidiary, One Health Medical Technologies became Saskatchewan’s first licensed medical device manufacturer. To learn more, check out this video.

Environmental Excellence – Petroleum Technology Research Centre Inc. – Aquistore

Petroleum Technology Research Centre’s Aquistore deep saline CO2 storage project is the first project in the world injecting and permanently storing captured CO2 from a coal-fired power station. Since injection began in 2015, almost 600,000 tonnes of CO2 have been stored 3.2 km underground in the Deadwood deep saline aquifer, which is like removing 150,000 cars from the road for a year. The project has also contributed to advancing monitoring technologies like fiber optics and set point seismic sources – helping other industries to advance CCS to lower their GHG emissions. To learn more, check out this video.

Promising Member – Jenae Nixon, P.Eng.

Since becoming a professional engineer in 2022 Jenae has mainly worked on the geotechnical inspection, monitoring, risk assessment, rehabilitation, dam safety review, and design of dams and water infrastructure in the province. She contributes time to the profession on the Licensee Admissions Committee and Regina Geotechnical Group as well as to her community through curling and the South East Regional Science Fair Committee. To learn more, check out this video.

Friend of the Professions – Dr. Dominique Turcotte

As a Lead Environmental Protection Officer at the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Dominique Turcotte helps the public, engineers and geoscientists understand waste and industrial facility permitting requirements, contributing to safeguarding the environment for a sustainable future. To learn more, check out this video.

The Cloud Administrator is the key systems administrator for managing the APEGS multi-cloud environment, which includes Azure, VDI, XaaS and other hosted cloud environments.

As a SME on various cloud services, you will build strong working relationships with end users (employees) and vendors to provide high-quality solutions and timely support. While playing the lead role in the areas of infrastructure operations, data architecture, blob storage, and containerized applications, you will also work with transformation project teams to: Identify technical requirements for the cloud platforms; Assist with translating the business requirements; Lead the service design and implementation of application and data services.

In this role, you are responsible for the development, integration, management, security and maintenance of server technologies within the APEGS IT infrastructure. You will also participate in the design, build, and operate phases, providing input into the future direction of server technologies and management.

This position may be an excellent fit for you if you have:

• An undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Software Development, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Hands-on experience in production server environments for administration, backup, cloud storage and network protocols.
• A genuine interest in working as much with the people who do the work as the systems that support the work.
• 5+ years of hands-on technical working experience with:
• Administering Microsoft Active Directory, DNS, SFTP, edge computing cloud services
• IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS in multi-cloud environments
• Windows, .NET (C#) and SQL
• Apache, mysql, php
• Linux/Unix operating systems and open source tools
• Scripting languages, such as Powershell on Windows or Python on Linux
• MFA, SSO and identity management standards like SAML, OIDC and OAuth
• Windows 2019/2022 Server, IIS, MS SQL, VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Azure/VDI/M365/Intune/SharePoint, Hybrid Cloud Identity (Microsoft EntraID)
• Administration of systems integration patterns (REST, SOAP APIs etc.) across multi-cloud environments

As part of the technology team, supported by the leadership guidance of the Director of Technology, this position contributes to the reputation of APEGS as a sound, professional regulator of the engineering and geoscience professions in Saskatchewan.

Before applying, click on the link below to review the complete description of the position, the minimum qualifications, and desired competencies.

Cloud Administrator

To Apply:

You will be joining a dedicated team that is navigating through an exciting era of business transformation within a self-regulatory framework. APEGS employees work onsite at the APEGS office in Regina. In addition to an office location surrounded by too many amenities to name, APEGS offers employees a competitive salary and total rewards program which includes: Employer-paid benefits, paid vacation time, paid sick leave, parking, an employee family assistance program, continuous learning and development opportunities, and financial support for pursuing further education or credentials. We also foster fun and comradery, including initiatives organized through our staff-led social committee.

Please submit a cover letter outlining how your combined experience, education and talents align with the position, together with your resume to:  hr@Apegs.ca by 5:00pm (CST) April 2, 2024. (We encourage you to apply early, as interviews may begin prior to the closing date.)

APEGS is committed to supporting accessibility and diversity. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment and selection process. If you are selected by APEGS as a candidate for the position, please make your requirements known at the time we contact you.

The APEGS multi-year transformational road map to modernize and optimize regulatory and operational business processes is ready to launch!

The Manager of Transformation will manage and facilitate two enterprise-wide programs that are critical components of the broader transformational strategy and road map:

1. Business Process Management Program. Review, develop and implement enhanced and new business processes, aimed at building future-focused capabilities in line with emerging regulatory practices
2. Digital Transformation Program. Identify and implement digital solutions to improve business process efficiency and outcomes in line with future state regulatory standards, while enhancing the digital experience of employees, applicants, registrants and external stakeholders.

This position may be an excellent fit for you IF you are:

• Seasoned in the people-side of change, proactively and collaboratively engaging with the people that do the work, as business process transformation and digitization initiatives come to fruition
• Motivated to lead initiatives that require creativity, innovation, and practical application from a size, scale, and complexity perspective
• A highly skilled facilitator and enabler
• Seeking a better opportunity to apply your proven program management and project management skills to their fullest.

As part of the management team, supported by the leadership guidance of the Director of Technology, this position contributes to the reputation of APEGS as a sound, professional regulator of the engineering and geoscience professions in Saskatchewan.

Before applying, click on the link below to review the complete description of the position, the minimum qualifications, and desired competencies.

Manager of Transformation

To Apply:

You will be joining a dedicated team that is navigating through an exciting era of business transformation within a self-regulatory framework. APEGS employees work onsite at the APEGS office in Regina. In addition to an office location surrounded by too many amenities to name, APEGS offers employees a competitive salary and total rewards program which includes: Employer-paid benefits, paid vacation time, paid sick leave, parking, an employee family assistance program, continuous learning and development opportunities, and financial support for pursuing further education or credentials. We also foster fun and comradery, including initiatives organized through our staff-led social committee.

Please submit a cover letter outlining how your combined experience, education and talents align with the position, together with your resume to: hr@Apegs.ca by 5:00pm (CST) April 2, 2024. (We encourage you to apply early, as interviews may begin prior to the closing date.)

APEGS is committed to supporting accessibility and diversity. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment and selection process. If you are selected by APEGS as a candidate for the position, please make your requirements known at the time we contact you.

Due to recent organizational restructuring and an impending parental leave, APEGS is seeking two experienced communications and public relations professionals to join the team. You will contribute to developing and maintaining the reputation of APEGS as a sound, professional regulator of the engineering and geoscience professions in Saskatchewan. The outputs you produce will be relied on, seen, and utilized by internal employees, applicants, over 15,000 APEGS registrants, and external stakeholders, with the overall regulatory purpose of protecting the public.

One position is suited perfectly for a seasoned communications professional seeking a short-term (16 to 18 month) opportunity to make a meaningful difference by building, modernizing and implementing impactful strategies.

The second position is a permanent, full-time position. It comes with all the benefits of the temporary position and will be of interest to professionals seeking a new opportunity to play a vital long-term role in bringing a multi-year strategic communications plan to life.

Your qualifications and experience will align with a market-competitive salary range that starts at $78,000, supplemented with a comprehensive benefits program as part of the APEGS Total Rewards offering. Both positions report to the Director of Communications and Public Relations.

Qualifications include:

• Diploma or undergraduate degree in journalism, public relations, English or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Three to five years progressive, broad-range experience as a strong, solid generalist that is keen to lean on external third parties for highly specialized skill sets when needed
• Highly developed writing and editing skills, with proven ability to create customized pieces of work for a wide array of audiences

See the link below for a complete description of the position, the minimum qualifications, and desired competencies.

Communications and Public Relations Specialist

To Apply:

You will be joining a dedicated team that is navigating through an exciting era of business transformation within a self-regulatory framework. APEGS employees work onsite at the APEGS office in Regina. In addition to an office location surrounded by too many amenities to name, APEGS offers employees a competitive salary and total rewards program which includes: Employer-paid benefits, paid vacation time, paid sick leave, an employee family assistance program, continuous learning and development opportunities, and financial support for pursuing further education or credentials. We also foster fun and comradery, including initiatives organized through our staff-led social committee.

Please submit a cover letter outlining how your combined experience, education and talents align with the position, together with your resume to:  hr@Apegs.ca by 5:00pm (CST) March 25, 2024.

APEGS is committed to supporting accessibility and diversity. Requests for accommodations can be made at any stage of the recruitment and selection process. If you are selected by APEGS as a candidate for the position, please make your requirements known at the time we contact you.

What is your personal background (hometown, schools, family, etc.)?

I grew up in the Regina, SK area (White City), as the middle child in a large family of six kids. I’m recently married (to an engineer) and still live in the Regina area. I attended Greenall High School in Balgonie and graduated in 2011.

Why did you choose engineering and what is your area of specialty?

I was always interested in technology, especially software and electronics. Engineering seemed like a natural choice to me. I think I was particularly drawn to the design aspects and the chance to problem-solve as a career.

Where and when did you study engineering/get your degree and how would you describe your experience?

I attended the University of Regina (2011-2016) in the Electronic Systems Engineering (ESE) program. This program was a great fit for my interests with its combination of electrical/electronics and software systems design. I felt this program set me up for careers in a variety of industries. I also participated in the engineering co-op program which was very valuable for getting some initial work experience. One of my co-op positions led to my first post-graduate engineering role which I am grateful for.

What jobs/roles have you held as an engineer?

After graduating from university, I began my career as an Engineer-in-Training at SaskEnergy. I worked in the SCADA and automation field and gained experience designing, testing, and commissioning PLC control and software HMI systems. I enjoyed applying both the hardware and software aspects of my ESE education in this role, and having the opportunity for on-site work was rewarding.

In 2018, I left my position at SaskEnergy and co-founded a software medical device company (Limbus AI) alongside my brother Dr. Joshua Giambattista, a radiation oncologist, Carter Kolbeck, another University of Regina ESE grad, and Dr. Karl Otto, an experienced innovator and medical physicist in the radiation therapy field. We set out to develop software technology that uses machine learning to improve the efficiency of organ contouring in planning cancer radiation treatments. Since 2018 we have developed our technology and grown to deploy our software medical device in hundreds of hospitals and cancer clinics worldwide.

I obtained my P.Eng. in 2020, and today I oversee product development and regulatory compliance at Limbus AI. I manage a team of staff ranging from quality management and regulatory affairs to other engineers and computer scientists. My work involves software design and development, application of international standards relating to medical device development, risk management, cybersecurity, and verification and validation. Quite the departure from my initial experience in the utility industry, but a chance to apply my education and past experience in software and electronics and design in a new and exciting field.

What have you appreciated about your career opportunities and experiences?

While I’ve had a relatively short career so far, I am grateful I chose engineering as a career. It’s provided great opportunities to do something I really like, freedom in the industry of work and companies to work for, and rewarding daily experiences.

What activities or interests do you enjoy outside of work?

I stay active playing soccer and golfing in the summer, and I like to participate where I can in Regina’s growing local technology startup community (through Conexus Cultivator). I lend my time to mentor other startup founders (many of them engineers) and it’s great to be able to pass along some of the knowledge I have and be involved in this local community.

Mark your calendars! APEGS is excited to announce the 2024 Spring Professional Development Days. As part of the Spring PD Days, APEGS is offering registrants the below two workshops:

Business Analytics for Engineers, Geoscientists and Managers
March 1, 2024
DoubleTree Hotel – 1975 Broad Street, Regina, SK
Click here for more information and to register.

Get to the Point! A Technical Writing Course for Business and Technical Professionals
March 4-5, 2024
DoubleTree Hotel – 1975 Broad Street, Regina, SK
Click here for more information and to register.

Celebrate Engineering and Geoscience Week by attending the APEGS Awards Banquet. The awards highlight Saskatchewan engineers and geoscientists for their contributions to the public and the professions. They showcase and recognize exemplary competence and conduct to foster professional excellence among members, inspire the next generation of professionals, and raise awareness of the role of engineers, geoscientists, and APEGS to protect the public.

APEGS is always striving to be a better regulator. In December 2023 APEGS Council approved new policies regarding how academic and experience qualifications are assessed for professional registration. The changes came into effect January 1, 2024 and are aimed at ensuring fair, transparent, and timely processes, while maintaining admissions standards to protect the public. We aim to achieve a level of regulation that is both sufficient and necessary to protect the public.

APEGS will be using a confidence-based approach to both academic and experience assessment processes. In cases where APEGS has high confidence that the applicant meets the requirements to practice safely in the public interest, the review will be limited. In cases where APEGS has low confidence, the review will be more rigorous. Detailed assessments will be undertaken by professional staff, with oversight and auditing of their work by volunteer assessors and the academic and experience review committees.

These changes will affect you if you are, or are applying as, a member in training and you do not have a Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) accredited engineering degree or a Canadian four-year Bachelor of Science degree in geoscience. Below is a summary of the most notable changes. For more details see the website. Relevant links are provided below.

For member in training applicants:

• Any applicant that APEGS deems to be missing one or more years of full-time equivalent university level engineering/geoscience education will not be eligible for an academic assessment and their application will be denied. They may be deemed to meet the academic requirement for engineering/geoscience licensee, as appropriate.
• Only four years of acceptable experience is required to qualify for the experience option to try and get confirmatory exams waived.
• Any applicant who APEGS deems to have a four-year bachelor’s degree in engineering or geoscience at a comparable level to a Canadian one, and at least 10 years of acceptable engineering/geoscience experience, will be given the option to have a full competency assessment of their work experience prior to an academic assessment. If all the experience requirements are met, a detailed academic assessment will not be required. See website for details https://www.apegs.ca/apply/how-to-apply/engineer-in-training/academic-assessment

For work experience reporting:

• Validation of Work Experience
  • With regard to the definition of “P.Eng, P.Geo or equivalent”, the definition of “or equivalent” has been expanded to include anyone registered at a full professional level in any country which is a full member of either:
    • The International Professional Engineers Agreement (IPEA) https://www.ieagreements.org/agreements/ipea/members/ or
    • The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Agreement https://www.ieagreements.org/agreements/apec/members/

• Submission Quality Checks
  • Professional staff will be doing a quality check on all competency-based assessment submissions. If the quality check is not passed applicants will receive a notification of the shortcomings and be required to redo their self-assessment, including validations before the submission will be formally assessed. See the APEGS website for details https://www.apegs.ca/apply/how-to-apply/work-experience-reporting.