Thread by @OhCasavant

1/ DYK regulations governing individuals performing regulated engineering work also apply to some firms?

Engineers & Geoscientists of BC (EGBC) regulates Individual and FIRM Permits to Practice.

This 🧵looks at regulated BC Engineering Firms.

#bced #bcpoli #COVIDisAirborne

2/ The ability to require some Firms to hold an EGBC Permit to Practice stems from the Professional Governance Act:

bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document…

A Firm can be a government entity or what we normally think of as 'companies'.

3/ The EGBC Code of Ethics, practice standards, complaints & disciplinary process, etc apply to all Registrants, which include Firms:

4/ The Superintendent of Professional Governance (lawyer Paul Craven professionalgovernancebc.ca/about/the-supe…) also has powers under the Professional Governance Act to impose administrative penalties on persons OR FIRMS violating the Act.

5/ To be specific, the administrative penalties would be imposed on "an employee, officer, director or agent of the firm who authorized, permitted or acquiesced in the contravention or failure..."

Div 1 Section 99 (3) (screenshot below)

6/ Section 106 Offences seems pertinent wrt to Individual or Firm registrants violating EGBC Code of Ethics and practice standards. Also wrt individuals or firms conducting reguated engineering work without a Permit to Practice.

7/ Who is liable if Firm commits an offence under Professional Governance Act?

(5)If an offence under this Act is committed by a firm, each director, manager, secretary or other officer of that firm who assented to the commission of the offence is a party to that offence. (😯)

8/And what might happen to responsible persons in a Firm that is convicted of an offence under the Act?

(Recall, too, an Offence includes practicing without a Permit ...)

(b)in the case of a firm, to a fine of not more than $500 000.

(Ouch)

#bced #bcpoli #COVIDisAirborne

9/ So, government agencies and/or companies or similar entities engaging in / responsible for regulated engineering practice need to hold an EGBC Firm Permit to Practice.

EGBC has significant information on this subject: egbc.ca/Practice-Resou…

10/Certain government agencies are legally required to hold Firm Permits to Practice:

Ministries responsible for certain sections of Highways, Forestry, Transportation Acts;
the British Columbia Safety Authority;
the Oil and Gas Commission; and
🚨the Workers’ Compensation Board.

11/ In addition to the Workers Compensation Board (@WorkSafeBC), it seems any Firm engaging in or responsible for the regulated practice of building engineering need a Firm Permit to Practice.

https://twitter.com/OhCasavant/status/1532159894521978880?s=20&t=3Mfo1OeNJc9Q8P9oMjexpQ

12/ Any organization holding an EGBC Firm Permit to Practice is bound by the EGBC Code of Ethics:

egbc.ca/getmedia/33d03…

13/ Any organization holding a Firm Permit to Practice is bound by the EGBC standards of practice, including the requirements around assuming professional responsibility (signed / stamped / sealed documents) and preparation of appropriate work product.

https://twitter.com/OhCasavant/status/1532838425643978754?s=20&t=3Mfo1OeNJc9Q8P9oMjexpQ

14/ Because building engineering practice is an important part of ensuring public health & safety wrt exposure to an airborne, Risk Group 3 biopathogen that is widely circulating, Individuals and Firms holding EGBC Permits to Practice seem to have legal responsibilities.

15/ Are all Individuals & Firms w/ EGBC Permits to Practice acting in accordance w/ Professional Gov Act, Engineers & Geoscientists Regulation, EGBC Code of Ethics and standards of practice? Are there individuals attempting to prevent Registrants from fulfilling their duties?

16/ If public health is systemically practicing building engineering w/o EGBC permits & is pressuring those w/ Individual & Firm Permits to violate Code of Ethics and laws of physics, should Superintendent of Professional Governance launch investigation?

professionalgovernancebc.ca/home/complaint…

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