RC104 JanFeb2023 - Magazine - Page 41
Panel discussion
on the shifts in the
engineering consulting
sector. (L to R) Allan
Russell, McElhanny;
Caterina Milioto,
intervia; Saverio
Parrotta, JL Richards;
Marie-Claude Dumas,
WSP Canada; and
Richard Bush, Binnie.
ACEC-CANADA LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, OTTAWA, ON
DENIS DREVER/ACEC—CANADA
THE ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERING
Companies—Canada hosted their annual Leadership
Conference at the Ottawa Art Gallery, returning to an
in-person event after a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19.
The two-day event featured panels discussing the future
of Canadian engineering consulting firms, achieving netzero, creating an integrated environmental and economic
vision and keynote speeches from CIBC’s chief economist
Benjamin Tal and Globe and Mail political columnist
Andre Coyne.
One of the most popular panels discussed major shifts
in the consulting engineering sector since last year and
looked ahead to what the future may hold for the industry.
The big question was how have firms adapted after the
pandemic upended conventional office work and how
have they handled the full or part-time return of their
employees.
According to Marie-Claude Dumas, president and CEO
of WSP Canada, as staff returned on a part-time basis over
the past year, she noticed colleagues reengaging with one
another and noted that this kind of interaction is essential
to rebuild team relationships as a run-up to face-to-face
meetings with clients.
“If we don’t even talk to each other as employees, then
how do we connect with the client, how do we really
understand what’s on their mind and what are their main
challenges coming ahead,” she said.
ACEC—Canada also handed out the 54th annual
Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards that included
RENEWCANADA.NET
five Special Achievement Awards, singled out from among
the Top 20 Award of Excellence winners.
“Consulting engineers have the remarkable opportunity
and responsibility of shaping Canada’s future,” said John
Gamble, president and CEO of ACEC—Canada. “Their
work greatly contributes to a growing economy and
thriving neighbourhoods in every corner of this country—
as celebrated members, this year’s award winners are
doing just that. Their achievements are a testament to
their unparalleled ingenuity, as well as their dedication to
building stronger and more sustainable communities.”
The top prize, the Schreyer Award, went to Stantec for
the Calgary International Airport East Deicing Apron.
Three other special awards were announced at the
celebration for four projects:
• Engineering a Better Canada Award – Hedgehog
Technologies for the Fort Severn First Nation Solar Array
in Northern Ontario.
• Tree for Life Award – Associated Engineering (AE)
for Phase 1 of the Blatchford District Energy System in
Edmonton.
• Ambassador Award – AECOM for the Gordie Howe
International Bridge Environmental Management
Program; and Entuitive, for the Buddy Holly Hall of
Performing Arts and Sciences in Lubbock, Texas.
ACEC-Canada also presented the 2022 Beaubien Award
to Richard Tiller, CEO of Tiller Engineering, for his lifetime
contributions to consulting engineering, and the 2022
Allen D. Williams Scholarship to Tia Hill of AE.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 — RENEW CANADA 41
