Association Seeks Input From Sole Practitioners On Corporate Regulation
Are you a sole practitioner working in BC? We are looking for your input on how sole practitioners should be included in Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s model for the regulation of organizations providing professional products or services.
What’s Happening?
Since 2015, Engineers and Geoscientists BC has been examining the issue of corporate regulation. In Canada, the practice of engineering and geoscience by organizations is regulated in every province and territory except BC and Quebec. Corporate regulation is frequently raised by members and organizations that look to Engineers and Geoscientists BC to ensure that practitioners and companies within various sectors meet the same practice standards.
Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Advisory Task Force on Corporate Practice is currently developing a business plan to support our delivery of corporate regulation, and is working to ensure its plan is aligned with the Professional Governance Act—newly introduced legislation that will govern Engineers and Geoscientists BC along with four other professions, and enables the registration of firms that employ professionals or carry out reserved practices.
Will Sole Practitioners Be Included?
Yes. The regulatory framework recommended by the Task Force and approved by Council includes all entities that provide professional products and/or services, including sole practitioners. This aligns with the model used in Alberta, as well as with government’s direction outlined in their intentions paper on corporate regulation.
The Task Force is currently examining the appropriate level of regulatory oversight for sole practitioners within this regulatory framework, and is seeking member feedback.
How Can I Provide Feedback?
We’re seeking sole practitioners for 90-minute focus groups in the following locations:
- Vancouver, on March 25, at either 3 PM or 5 PM
- Kelowna, on March 26, at either 3 PM or 5 PM
- Victoria, on March 28, at either 3 PM or 5 PM
The focus group sessions are a chance for you to express your views and provide input on how the regulation of sole practitioners is implemented. If you are interested in participating, please email [email protected].
We will also be inviting all members, especially sole practitioners, to participate in a survey on this issue, to be launched on March 8, 2019.
More Information
An archive of our recent webinar on corporate regulation, and more information about the work done to date, is available at egbc.ca/Corporate-Practice. Questions and comments can also be directed to [email protected].
Photo by dylan nolte on Unsplash