Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec: President will not seek another term in June

In addition, the OIQ intends to set the record straight regarding some of the information conveyed by engineers in the media recently. These issues will also be discussed at the EGM held this evening at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.

 

 

The high volume of inquiries conducted by the Office of the Syndic and other initiatives to better protect the public are inevitably affecting the OIQ's financial situation. This situation not only concerns the OIQ’s President and Board of Directors, but also the President of the Office des professions du Québec. This is one of the reasons that a supplementary assessment of $90 was adopted at the end of 2013. Prior to 2005-2006, the annual membership dues paid by engineers had not been raised for fifteen years. Engineers now pay $310 per year, which means that their membership dues are still among the lowest of the 45 orders in Québec’s professional system.

 

 

The future of the OIQ’s Regulation respecting professional liability insurance is also on the agenda of the EGM. The purpose of this regulation is to protect the public by offering liability insurance that meets all of the requirements of the Professional Code. This purpose has been achieved by obtaining better coverage in all fields of practice for up to five years after engineers cease to practice. The regulation affects about 5,670 individuals. Two-thirds of the members who are insured under the new regulation saw no change in their insurance premiums, which are determined using a personalized formula. The 1% premium refund paid by the insurer also made it possible for the OIQ to create a premium stabilization fund, which allows the insurer’s potential profits to be more effectively controlled so that insured members reap more benefits.

 

 

Last year, the OIQ not only stepped up the disciplinary process, but also accomplished many other projects. It revamped its professional inspection program to focus more on engineers who work in the municipal sector and sectors related to the construction of public infrastructures. It increased training and prevention by offering, for example, a series of workshops on ethical and professional conduct issues that were attended by 900 engineers. Furthermore, the OIQ has been pushing the boundaries of the professional system by developing an audit program for the business practices of consulting engineering firms. This program will be offered to all firms starting in the fall of 2014. Finally, the OIQ has been working on a brief with concrete proposals for improving the public contract award and management process. This document will be submitted to the Charbonneau Commission in September.

 

 

Just like most general meetings of professional orders, the OIQ’s EGM is closed to the public and media representatives. This meeting is reserved for OIQ members, the directors appointed by the government, and a few people invited by the President who attend as observers. In the interest of transparency and in keeping with convention, OIQ representatives will be available to the media before and after the meeting. Media representatives who would like more information about the EGM should read the OIQ’s related post.

 

Founded in 1920, the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec has a membership of approximately 60,000 engineering professionals in all fields, except forest engineering. The mission of the OIQ is to ensure the protection of the public by supervising the practice of the profession within the framework of its constituent laws and ensure that the profession serves the public interest. For more information, go to www.oiq.qc.ca.