Kristen Darr, P.Geo.
Reconciliation is an important matter for all Canadians.
It is important to be listening and learning about the experiences and systems that impact Indigenous Canadians and to work on the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. I encourage you to read page 35 explaining the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the 94 Calls to Action that came from that process. Those calls to action help guide all Canadians in understanding how to acknowledge the past and advance today’s relationship.
I would also encourage members to continue to read that article to learn about APEGS’ actions in relation to the 94 calls to action. Our Equity & Diversity Committee has reached out to secure some expertise and guidance. Our volunteers, members and staff have the opportunity to take part in relevant training. We are learning from other regulatory bodies and professional associations related to engineering and geoscience in Canada. More can be done, but I am proud we aren’t sitting idle. We are taking steps to learn and taking action.
That is very much what we see in the article featuring APEGS president-elect, John Desjarlais, who will become president in May 2022. I greatly appreciate John’s ability to explain the concept of equity and respect his ability to take on leadership roles that he is well suited to execute.
John has taken on a leadership role with a new group in the province that brings together the voices of Indigenous construction companies known as the Indigenous Peoples-Owned Construction Company Group (IOCCG).
Together, they are drawing attention to Indigenous businesses and the socio-economic impact they are seeking to make in our province and country, which is a factor in reconciliation that all Canadians should learn.
I always take great interest in learning more about the work of members such as Dr. Terry Fonstad, P.Eng., (APEGS Past President), Dr. Kerry McPhedran, P.Eng., and Rob Martell, P.Eng., to better the world through engineering and geoscience. The impact they are having through their work is improving the province and the world in ways that go beyond the technical aspects of engineering to the broader community to improve relationships and quality of life. They are driven to understand and perform to the best of their abilities to benefit others.
That same drive can be seen in someone special to me who will be retiring as APEGS’ Executive Director and Registrar in mid-January. I have known Bob McDonald since before I settled on becoming a geoscientist. My father introduced me to him, knowing Bob from his childhood, growing up in Swift Current.
Since that first introduction, Bob has been a mentor to me, not just helping me identify a career path, but suggesting I consider becoming active in APEGS, an association that is better for having someone like Bob at the helm.
He shares his wealth of knowledge through his genuine and caring nature with all he encounters and I know many engineers and geoscientists feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and learn from him. He has given so much to the province through his work for the association and I know Bob is grateful for the long, lasting relationships he has made. I don’t think Bob ever forgets a name.
I want to thank Bob on behalf of all of APEGS members for his contributions over the last 20-plus years and wish him all the best the coming years, which I expect will be filled with more learning, mentoring and, of course, golf.
It is also my great pleasure to welcome Stormy Holmes, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.) as APEGS’ new Executive Director and Registrar effective Jan. 4, 2022. Stormy is a great leader and passionate about engineering, geoscience and APEGS. She is an excellent fit for this role who is well-qualified at an opportune time to take responsibility for leading the association in its next steps. I’m sure when you read page 23 with the full announcement detailing Stormy’s work experience and dedication as a volunteer, you, like me, will take comfort knowing that APEGS is in great hands going forward.