What new legislation means for NWT engineers, geoscientists

The NWT government has updated its engineering and geoscience legislation, bringing it more in line with other jurisdictions across Canada.

The Practice of Engineering, Geoscience and Applied Science Technology Act, which the territorial government said last week has now been enacted, replaces legislation that dated to 2006.

Napeg – the NWT and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists, responsible for licensing those professions in the two territories – said the changes would offer “stronger governance and enhanced oversight of the profession.”

“We want to be more aligned with how the regulation and licensing of engineering has evolved elsewhere in the country,” said Paul Guy, president of Napeg. “Over time it improves and changes, and we want to keep up with what’s happening in other jurisdictions.”

Last year, 12 engineering regulators across the country gathered to sign a national statement of collaboration in tackling national and international barriers to mobility for engineers and engineering organizations.

Legislative updates give Napeg the ability to regulate technologists and technicians in the field of engineering and geoscience. According to Guy, that had been “a gap in the NWT” unlike larger jurisdictions.

Guy said another key update involves the governance structure of Napeg, which has roughly 3,200 members living in different parts of the country – some even abroad. Previously, only the 300 members residing within the NWT could vote within the organization.

That’s no longer the case.

Guy said the decision to give voting rights to all members allows better oversight of Napeg’s operations. He said out-of-territory professionals licensed in other provinces may now also find it easier to work in the NWT.

“Some jurisdictions elsewhere provided a limited licence for those with a reduced scope of practice, and we didn’t have the ability to grant them licences here, so it was complicated to allow them to come and work here,” he said.

“Now, with this new act, they’ll be following the same mobility process any other licensed engineer of geoscience has elsewhere in Canada.”

Guy said improvements have been made to the group’s discipline and complaints process by requiring that Napeg publish the results of those proceedings.

Moreover, an appointed lay member from the general public will have the opportunity to participate and provide oversight in the activities of the organization.

The legislation has been updated every seven to 10 years since the regulatory body was established in 1979.

“There is a very limited number of geoscientists and engineers living in the NWT, and the amount of work far exceeds the capacity that’s here,” Guy explained.

“By completing these updates and strengthening the regulation of the profession, we’re confident we can continue to ensure that the engineering and geoscience work in the NWT holds high standards of public safety.

“As we move forward, we’re going to continue to help all the professionals navigate these changes with clear guidance and upcoming communications as we roll it out.”