2021 Progress and Success
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2021 has been a year of many achievements and growth for the Association even in the midst of many challenges. We received many comments from client groups relaying how impressed they were with how our industry adapted so well and so quickly during the pandemic. This resulted in minimal down time on client projects – good work everyone! ACEC-NB continued to focus on its four priorities of advocacy, member engagement, building profile and sharing best business practices throughout the year. We are proud of our progress and successes; especially speaking out on important industry issues to create a stronger business climate for our members. The following is a snapshot of 2021. INDIGENOUS RELATIONS From June to October ACEC-NB hosted a series of eight webinars to raise membership awareness and the profile of the Association on matters of Indigenous Relations. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report, Call to Action #92 encourages all business enterprises to establish practices that promote Reconciliation. The program was designed to advance the orientation and enhance the membership’s level of understanding of the social, cultural, and business landscape in play in the Canadian economy. Participants were exposed to information designed to enhance their understanding and appreciation for the current and evolving landscape in conducting their business on the unceded, un-surrendered traditional lands of the Mi’gmaq, Wolastoqey and Passamaquoddy People. This began the development of a respectful relationship with First Nations, their staff and organizations. It will lead to a codification of mutual values and understandings in developing a Protocol; which is well underway. Materials from all the webinars can be found on our members-only page at www.acec-nb.ca GET TOGETHER For the first time in many years, ACEC-NB was able to host a golf tournament and networking opportunity, it was a beautiful sunny day and we had 50 golfers out. Thanks to all our sponsors and participants! ADOPTION OF 2015 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE The New Brunswick Building Code Administration Act (ACT) came into force on February 1, 2021 and while our organization did not have an issue with the adoption of the new ACT nor the subsequent adoption of the 2015 National Building Code and other related Codes / Standards. What was of concern to our members was that no Regulations or a comprehensive transition plan accompanied this new piece of legislation. Together with AANB and CANB we expressed our concerns to the Minister of Justice and Public Safety on more than one occasion, formally requesting a transition plan. In fact, we provided a proposed transitory plan for consideration on behalf of our respective members. As a result of our joint efforts the government extended the grace period to provide industry with more time to adjust to the new building code. The amended regulation allowed a building permit under both the 2010 and 2015 National Building Codes to be accepted until December 31, 2021. Effective January 1, 2022 only permits based on the 2015 National Building Code will be accepted. ENGAGING WITH STRATEGIC STAKEHOLDERS Engaging with the NB Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (NBDTI) is of utmost importance to ACEC-NB. Our members provide great value to the Province of New Brunswick and being part of discussions early help advance a positive business environment. Through our discussions in 2021 we gained important information on NBDTI initiatives including their plan to publish a 3-to-5-year capital project plan outlining specific projects and not just lump sum spends for each year. The transportation group is piloting a projects scorecard for consultants and will be assigning a dedicated contract administrator to look at creating a consistent agreement for the group. They are also moving forward with a design build model in the future which provided a heads up to our members as they may need to increase bandwidth when it comes to construction management. We met with an NBDTI project advisor to discuss and provide input to the construction oversight program on behalf of ACEC-NB members. This included recommendations on providing as much time as possible prior to project initiation; the benefits of having the same firm complete the design and inspection; the importance of being included early in the design phase; the need for a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities; the opportunity to see debriefs/feedback following the completion of a project; and, the desire to have this continue as a long-term program. YOUNG PROFESSIONALS COMMITTEE ACEC-NB would like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors and volunteers for the 2021 Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals Build Day! BUILDING PROFILE Check out our new faster and more user-friendly website at www.acec-nb.ca. Here are the highlights:
CELEBRATING ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE The 2021 Engineering Excellence Awards were presented to three New Brunswick consulting engineering firms. The firms and projects range in size, discipline and location. Congratulations to Englobe who was honoured for the Bedford Highway Functional Plan with The Pinnacle Award which is the top ranked entry deemed to demonstrate consulting engineering excellence by the judging panel. Congratulations to all award winners:
Thank you to the board of ACEC-NB: Tim Ryan- Past- President Jaclyn Currie - Director Andrea Kalafut – President Tim Dulenty -Director Christine Plourde – Vice-President Philippe Landry - Director Jessica Fredericks – Treasurer Peter Allaby - Director Martin Gordon – ACEC Canada Rep Melissa Steeves - Director Denis Gallant - Ex-officio Director Julie DiCicco - Young Professionals Representative Coming Up in 2022 Coming out in early 2022 is the salary and benefits survey. ACEC-NB has retained a new service provider for the collection and reporting of industry salary and benefits data with a much user-friendly format. ACEC-NB will release its 2022-2025 strategic plan. Don’t miss the Construction Remedies Act webinar – exclusively for ACEC-NB members. Matt Hayes of McInnes Cooper will be hosting a webinar on Complying with the New NB Construction Remedies Act. You can register here https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3436740616116370190 SAVE THE DATE! 2022 Engineering Excellence Awards will be held in Fredericton on April 20th – stay tuned for more details in the new year. Thank you for your continued support to the progress and successes of ACEC-NB! |
