2020 Year in Review

Throughout the past year, ACEC-PEI continued to speak out on several issues to create a stronger business climate for our members. We are proud of the important work we have accomplished over the past year on behalf of you, our members. Below is a snapshot of what we achieved.

COMMUNICATIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

To allow the consulting engineering sector to retain its capacity and expertise so it can help mitigate the current COVID-19 crisis and contribute to the post-crisis recovery ACEC-PEI made recommendations to the provincial government. They were:

1.   Do everything possible to ensure that current and recently awarded design projects and studies move forward as planned.

2.   Encourage staff to move planned projects out to the consulting industry as quickly as possible through applicable procurement procedures.

3.   Encourage staff to divert projects, which were previously planned to be executed by internal resources, to the consulting industry.

You can read the full letter here.

As well as our own outreach, ACEC-PEI worked closely with our industry partners at Engineers PEI, Architect’s Association of PEI and the Construction Association during the initial months of the pandemic.

SPEAKING OUT ON PROCUREMENT ISSUES

Supporting PEI’s infrastructure represents a significant investment of tax dollars.

Upfront procurement decisions have a significant impact not only on the cost and quality of design and construction phases, but on operations and maintenance of infrastructure assets. Engineering and other professional services typically account for only 6-18% of capitals costs on infrastructure projects and 1-2% of total costs over the life-cycle of infrastructure assets. Yet these services dramatically impact all aspects of the financial and operational success of infrastructure for decades.

We will continue to promote Qualifications Based Selection as well as the industry’s desire to see the Provincial Departments and Agencies adopt a median based fee selection evaluation for the financial component of proposal submissions. We continue to advocate for a model similar to the one currently being used in Nova Scotia and other jurisdictions, where the price component is held at a maximum of 25-30% and median basis is used for point scoring. More work to be done on this in the coming year.  We, also continue to advocate for the following when issues arise:

1.   Consistency in the use of the procurement practices across Government agencies;

2.   Better scope definition for projects;

3.   The removal of perceived unfair provisions in some RFP’s; and

4.   Proposal level of effort to be consistent with scope and fee value.

STATEGIC PLAN

In March the board of ACEC-PEI developed a strategic plan for the year.

Our vision is to be the recognized voice for the consulting engineering industry on PEI.

Our mission is to support and build the provincial consulting engineering industry.

Our 3 strategic priorities include:

1. Membership
2. Non-dues revenue
3. Advocacy & Profile

The full plan can be found here.

PARTICPATING IN PEI’S RECOVERY AND GROWTH PLAN

In the Summer of 2020 Premier King sent out a call to all Islanders for their ideas to establish a recovery and growth plan for the province. Consulting engineers of PEI believe our small size is our biggest advantage and that we can be a leader in innovation, environmental stewardship and economic growth.  ACEC-PEI submitted the following.

RAISING THE ALARM ON INDEMNIFICATION CREEP/UNFAIR INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

In recent years, ACEC-PEI has witnessed an increasing number of RFPs that contain indemnification clauses that increase the risk and liability to consulting engineers.  ACEC-PEI sent an advisory to its members to obtain independent legal and insurance advice when confronted by these types of contract clauses outlined in RFPs and contracts and be guided by this advice to derive appropriate, insurable and professionally responsible contract language in their agreements.  The full advisory can be seen here.

PROMOTING THE RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS

In October ACEC-PEI welcomed the announcement by the Federal government of $10B in new major infrastructure initiatives including clean energy and retrofits, and their efforts to create jobs, stronger communities and a more sustainable and resilient economy for Canadians. We believe infrastructure is an investment, not a cost to be minimized. It helps to support our economic vitality.  Infrastructure is the foundation that Prince Edward Island is built upon. It provides clean drinking water to our residents, handles our waste, creates spaces for sports and recreation and helps protect our homes against flooding and other natural disasters. We believe infrastructure is a core business of the government and a key investment in our social, economic, and environmental quality of life. It connects communities, enables commerce, and protects our environment.

Priority should be given to core infrastructure that sustains our capacity for economic growth, creates jobs and expands the tax base.  Growing the economy is essential to making further investments in community and social infrastructure viable and sustainable in the long term.  Find the full press release here.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND DEPARTMEN OF TRANSPORTATION UPDATE

On November, 12, 2020 we held our Annual General Meeting at the Pour House which was followed by lunch and a discussion with Stephen Yeo, Director of Capital Projects at Transportation, Infrastructure and Environment.

THANK YOU TO THE 2020 BOARD OF ACEC-PEI:

Jody MacLeod, President of the Board, CBCL Limited

Doug Coles, Past-President and ACEC-Canada Representative, Coles & Associates

Ronald Keefe, Treasurer, Harbourside Engineering Consultants

Larry McQuaid, Delcom

Patrick MacDonald, Fundy Engineering

Wade Enman, WSP Canada

Valentine Gomez, Gomex Engineering

Peter Joostema, Joose Environmental Consulting

Corey MacPhee, Young Professionals Representative, Stantec

This year we welcomed new members MCW Maricor and Morris Geomatics.

Finally, we want to recognize that we are a member supported association, we want to thank all our members for their support which makes all that ACEC-PEI does possible!