ACEC-SK Introduces New 2017-2018 Board of Directors
Effective May 11, 2017, Paul Walsh, P.Eng., assumed the Chair of the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Saskatchewan (ACEC-SK) board of directors. Walsh is the 40th chairperson in the association’s history.
He was appointed as a director on June 11, 2013, elected as Director in May 2014, secretary-treasurer on June 5, 2015, vice chair June 2016 and 2017-2018 Chair at the Association’s AGM on May 11, 2017.
Walsh is joined by Bryce Hunter, P.Eng., Vice Chair, Nancy Inglis, P.Eng., PMP, secretary-treasurer and Jeff Halliday, P.Eng., Past Chair as the board executive.
These individuals will lead the 2017-2018 board of directors composed of directors Greg Daum, P.Eng., Trevor Knoll, P.Eng., Ryan King, Patrick Lalach, P.Eng., ACEC-Canada Liaison Lawrence Lukey, P. Eng., Young Professionals Liaison Matt Feige, P.Eng., APEGS Liaison Tara Zrymiak, P.Eng., and Associate Member Liaison Shane Baillargeon, MBA.
“Paul has been a great asset to our association for a number of years,” said Executive Director Beverly MacLeod. “He acknowledges that our members are currently facing broad and rapid industry changes. Paul will help drive our industry dialogue in new directions and provide strategic leadership for ACEC-SK on the issues facing our industry.”
The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Saskatchewan (ACEC-SK) is a non-profit association representing the interests of the majority of consulting engineering and consulting geoscience firms in Saskatchewan. As the business voice of the Saskatchewan consulting engineering and geoscience industry, ACEC-SK is the link between private industry, government, purchasers, decision makers and owners.
PST Ruling in Consulting Engineering Industry’s Favour! Now What?
Prior to the 2017 Saskatchewan provincial budget, contract administration performed by consulting engineers had been PST exempt. The new budget’s requirement that construction servicers be PST chargeable suddenly shone the spotlight on the engineer’s role in the construction phase of a project. The onus was now on ACEC-SK to explain the difference between contract administration and construction management.
ACEC-SK communicated with the Ministry of Finance to explain the difference between the two industry terms and the reasoning for the long-standing contract administration PST exemption. The ministry subsequently decided that PST charged for engineering services essentially remains status quo, with two exceptions:
EPC (engineering, procurement and construction)vComputer services performed by engineering companies will be PST chargeable.
The most important take-away from this decision, however, is that consulting engineering firms must now clearly indicate on their invoices which categories of services they are performing (per ACEC-SK’s recommended schedule of fees). If it is not clear, then the Ministry of Finance will charge the full PST for those services.
2017 ACEC-SK
Annual Conference & AGM
SUBMITTED BY LINDA NELSON
ACEC-SK’s Annual General Meeting on May 11, 2017 was combined with the Informed Infrastructure Investment Conference. Members, presenters and stakeholders expressed appreciation for the combined conference.
Speakers offered new perspectives on complex topics addressed throughout the day. Both experienced and less experienced professionals learned from the sessions.
Ryan Greer, director, transportation and infrastructure policy, presented the Canadian Chamber of Commerce perspective on federal infrastructure investment and implications at the provincial level.
Larry Hiles, representing the Certified Management Consultants Saskatchewan (CMC) presented options for the province as it faces a $51 billion infrastructure deficit.
Miguel Morrissette, executive director of SaskBuilds addressed the province’s integrated capital plan and its role in addressing informed infrastructure investments.
The afternoon agenda addressed topics targeted towards ACEC-SK’s young professionals.
John Gamble, P.Eng., ACEC-Canada, presented the national association’s take on how the profession must deal with change.
The pros and cons of project delivery model options were presented by Stormy Holmes, P.Eng., FEC (AECOM) and Patrick Lalach, P.Eng. ( CIMA +).
The Young Professional Panel, Chelsey Bartlett (Golder Associates), Alyson Stout, Engineer-In-training (McElhanney) and Tyson Smith (KGS Group) addressed the question, “What does informed infrastructure Investment mean to YPs?”
Chris Newcomb, P.Eng., (McElhanney) spoke to the young professionals role in alternative delivery models.
The success of this joint event ensures that the format will become the standard at future ACEC-SK annual meetings.