ACEC Annual Report - Association of Consulting Engineering ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

6 Infrastructure, Engineers and Canada’s Competitiveness “There is a need for long term investment in critical infrastructure to support Canada’s future production capacity” David Dodge, Bank of Canada “Crumbling highways are not just a poor way to welcome tourists. They can strangle an economy, too” Globe and Mail editorial, 18/04/06 “The problem is governments have tended to treat our highway system like they used to think of the rural telephone system. Once the poles are up, you never need to do anything again” Jonathan Vance, University of Western Ontario “After years of ignoring infrastructure, it’s coming home to roost” David Caplan, Ontario Minister, Public Infrastructure Renewal “Working together, Canadian governments can generate economic growth by expanding targeted investments in infrastructure and transportation” Gordon Campbell, Premier British Columbia “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” John F. Kennedy Infrastructure – Backbone of our Economy: Infrastructure is the backbone of our nation’s economy. Prosperity requires a healthy environment, safe drinking water, efficient transportation and reliable energy systems. In past decades, however, Canada has underinvested in infrastructure resulting in a growing infrastructure debt that is jeopardizing our productivity and competitiveness. National long-term planning needed: Although Canada has already committed significant short-term funding to renew its infrastructure, long-term planning of 30-40 years is required. To ensure Canadians get the best value for current and future investments, Canada now needs a well coordinated plan developed by the three levels of government along with the relevant stakeholders, including consulting engineers who are involved in virtually every infrastructure project in the country. The National Roundtable on Sustainable Infrastructure (NRTSI) is the ideal forum for effective long term planning and it requires financial support from the federal government. Association of Consulting Engineers of Canada • Association des ingénieurs-conseils du Canada
The Right Engineering is Key to Providing Value to Taxpayers: Annual Report • Rapport annuel 2006-2007 In rebuilding its infrastructure, governments must also make the strategic decision to choose the right professional consulting engineers. This is vital because the right engineering at the beginning will determine the success of our infrastructure investments over many decades. That is why it is essential that governments at all levels adopt the “Best Practice for Selecting a Professional Consultant”. This recommended “Best Practice” was recently developed by the National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure (InfraGuide), which was founded by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the National Research Council and Infrastructure Canada. Developing nations need infrastructure too: If strategic infrastructure investment is so vital to Canada’s development, why is CIDA refusing to help developing countries with theirs? Canadian engineers have the expertise and a long track record in providing infrastructure design services to developing countries. Canada should make use of this competitive advantage which will enhance Canada’s visibility and strengthen its international competitiveness. RECOMMENDATIONS: When ACEC appeared before the Standing Committee of the House of Commons on Finance it recommended that the federal government: 1) establish predictable long-term funding in order to tackle the country’s growing infrastructure debt and accelerate the disbursement of funds in existing programs; 2) provide funding of $1 million per year for five years to support the operations of a National Roundtable for Sustainable Infrastructure (NRTSI) in order to develop appropriate long-term national infrastructure plans; 3) adopt and promote the InfraGuide “Best Practice” for Selecting a Professional Consultant in order to ensure quality infrastructure engineering design that in the long-term will save taxpayer dollars; 4) reinstate CIDA funding for the engineering component of sustainable physical infrastructure investments in order to make Canadian engineering expertise in infrastructure available to developing countries, to enhance Canada’s visibility and to prolong its international competitiveness. 7
Page 1: Annual Report 2006-2007
Page 4 and 5: 2 Dear ACEC Members, I am delighted
Page 6 and 7: 4 year the in review ACEC is the na
Page 10 and 11: 8 Finally, A “Best Practice” fo
Page 12 and 13: 10 Government Relations One of the
Page 14 and 15: 12 Business Practices • Published
Page 16 and 17: 14 Auditor’s Report on Summarized
Page 18 and 19: 16 THE ASSOCIATION 0F CONSULTING EN
Page 20 and 21: A-2 Board of Directors Conseil d’
Page 22 and 23: A-4 ACEC Past Chairs / Past Preside
Page 24 and 25: A-6 National Defense Liaison Commit
Page 26 and 27: A-8 General Reserve Investment Comm
Page 28 and 29: A-10 Saskatchewan Alfa Engineering
Page 30: A-12 Québec Algor Structures Aquat

ACEC Annual Report - Association of Consulting Engineering ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?