Framework for Regulation
Presentation to the Qualifications Board
August 2015
Outline of Presentation
1. Background
2. New Direction
3. Framework Committee
4. Development Process
5. Alignment with QB Documents
6. Current Status of the Elements
7. Key Roles for QB in Framework Development
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Background
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Initiation of the Framework
•
•
The Framework for Regulation (formerly the Canadian Framework for
Licensure) was initiated by agreement of the Presidents at the Meeting
of Members in Montreal on May 23, 2009 to “continue to explore,
under the auspices of Engineers Canada, a national framework for
licensure by requesting the CEO Group to develop a guideline for
licensure, consistent with the requirements of the Agreement on
Internal Trade.”
The objective was to develop a compendium of model optimal practices
to which each association could aspire. It was recognized that
implementation would be the responsibility of each association, and
that not all elements of the Framework would be adopted in all
jurisdictions.
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Original Development Process
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Research:
– by Engineers Canada staff.
Development:
– review of research by CEO Group.
Consultation with CAs:
– responses requested within 4 months.
Analysis:
– synthesis of CA responses by Engineers Canada staff.
Approval:
– sent to CAs for approval by Councils.
Endorsement:
– by Engineers Canada Board
Implementation:
– creation of implementation documentation by CEQB
sub-committee.
– publication on Engineers Canada website.
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Issues with the Original Development Process
• Consultation by CAR could take six months or more for a response.
• Challenges in synthesizing the results of the constituent association
consultations.
• When asked for input, CA councils might have insufficient information with
which to consider a proposed element.
• Confusion around the role of QB in the development of implementation
documents.
• Implementation of Framework elements is up to individual CAs.
• Framework is now covered by the Ends and is a CEO accountability.
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Internal Review, March 2014
•
An internal review was conducted in March 2014, by Engineers Canada staff. The
review proposed new objectives derived from previous experience, feedback
from stakeholders and an analysis of overall requirements. These new objectives
included:
–
–
–
–
–
•
Alignment with the Ends
Consideration of current and emerging challenges to the profession
A refresh of all elements to ensure standardization
A review of consultation at all levels during the development of elements
A method to monitor and review progress
The new Framework committee was formed and met in November 2014 to
review findings and proposed objectives of the internal review.
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New Direction
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Purpose of the Framework
To support the engineering regulators in their mandate to regulate the
practice of engineering, license the members of the profession and to
serve and protect the public interest by:
• capturing excellent national and international practices;
• responding to emerging trends and challenges; and
• facilitating fair practices that are accessible, timely, monitored,
transparent, objective, impartial and just.
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Vision
• The Framework is a set of aspirational elements that form the
baseline for engineering regulators.
Roles
• Constituent associations participate in the development of
elements and decide if, when, and how to adopt elements of the
Framework.
• Engineers Canada facilitates the development and ongoing
improvement of the Framework.
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Framework Committee
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Framework Committee
•
•
•
•
•
•
Kim Allen (Chair)
Chief Executive Officer, Engineers Canada
Ann English
Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, APEGBC
Mark Flint
Chief Executive Officer, APEGA
Andrew MacLeod
Chief Executive Officer, APEGNB
Gerard McDonald
Registrar, PEO
Dennis Paddock
Executive Director and Registrar, APEGS
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Committee Charges
Provide advice and guidance on:
1. the Framework process;
2. identification and validation of Framework elements;
3. validation of assessment processes within the Framework; and
4. promotion of the Framework.
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Development Process
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Streamlined Development Process
The new streamlined development process provides for:
• accelerated development of all elements by Engineers Canada
staff;
• an ongoing process of continuous feedback and improvement;
– CAs are encouraged to suggest new elements or revisions to
existing elements at any time; and
– all suggestions, comments and input provided by CAs will be
considered and responded to by Engineers Canada staff;
• 2 year timeline for completion of all elements.
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Development and Consultation Process
1.
Research and Drafting
• Research and initial drafting of Framework elements is done by
Engineers Canada.
2.
Expert Review
•
3.
Elements may be submitted to groups of subject matter experts
for review.
Consultation with CA Staff Networks
• Input may be obtained from key user groups including the
National Admissions Officials Group and the National Discipline
and Enforcement Officials Group, as applicable.
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Progress since May 2015
1.
Finalization and prioritization of the list of current and proposed
elements
• purpose statement developed for each element
2.
Project plan and procedures developed
• procedure for obtaining expert advice developed
3.
4.
Alignment analysis of Framework elements and QB documents
completed
11 existing elements revised, 9 new elements drafted
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Alignment with QB Documents
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Alignment with QB Documents
Goals:
• ensure that all Engineers Canada resources are consistent and
integrated.
• leverage the excellent work done by QB already
• utilize expertise of QB members to inform development of future
Framework elements
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Alignment with QB Documents
Overlap in areas of:
• Licensing / Admissions
• Continuing Professional Development
• Engineers-in-Training
• Practice of Professional Engineering
• Code of Ethics
• Good Character
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Alignment with QB Documents
Proposed solutions:
• Revisions to Framework elements
– Licensing Requirements and Competencies
– Continuing Professional Development
• Revisions to QB documents
– Model Guide: Supervision of EITs
– Good Character Guideline
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Current Status
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Registration / Licensure Elements
Licensing Requirements and Competencies – EITs
Licensing Requirements and Competencies – Limited Licence
Licensing Requirements and Competencies – Professional Engineers
Negotiating International Recognition Agreements
Fairness in Registration Practices
Authentication of Academic Documents
Canadian Experience Requirement
Competency Assessment
Professionalism Assessment: Law, Ethics, Good Character
Supervision and Mobility of EITs
Assessment of Academic Credentials
Assessment of Distance Education Transcripts
Authentication of Professional Engineering Documents
IIDD Advancement Criteria
Mobility & Harmonization
Use of Technical Examinations
Revised
Revised
Revised
Revised
Revised
Draft
Draft
Draft
Draft
Draft
Proposed
Proposed
Proposed
Proposed
Proposed
Proposed
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Practice of the Profession Elements
Code of Ethics
Definition of Practice of Professional Engineering
Titles, Rights & Responsibilities
Public Identification of Engineering Expertise
Accountability of Organizations
Continuing Professional Development
Membership Rights and Responsibilities
Fitness to Practice
Standards of Professional Conduct / Code of Conduct
Practice Review
Use of Seal
Authentication of Documents
Insurance
Joint Practice
Relationship to Other Professions
Revised
Revised
Revised
Revised
Revised
Revised
Draft
Draft
Draft
Draft
Proposed
Proposed
Proposed
Proposed
Proposed
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Discipline and Enforcement Elements
Principles of Complaints, Investigation & Discipline
Existing
Complaints & Investigation Practices
Existing
Enforcement Practices
Existing
Recognition of Extra-Provincial Disciplinary Sanctions
Proposed*
Geographic Jurisdiction – Discipline
Proposed*
Discipline Practices
Sharing of Regulatory Information
Proposed*
Proposed*
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Proposed
Appeals of Regulatory Decisions
Conduct of Hearings
Sentencing Guidelines
Proposed
Proposed
Proposed
To be drafted
Oct - Nov 2015
*identified as high priority for development
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Governance and Administration Elements
Objects of the Engineering Regulators
Existing
Legislative Authorities
Existing
Information to be Included in the Register
Proposed*
Advocacy
Proposed*
Governance of a Self-Regulating Body
Membership Status
Proposed*
Engineering Brand (Titles, Images & Words)
Proposed*
Awards & Scholarships
Proposed
Chapters / Branches
Proposed
Fee-Setting Power
Proposed
Proposed*
To be drafted
Nov - Dec 2015
*identified as high priority for development
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Key Roles for QB in
Framework Development
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Expert Review
Expert advice is not necessary for every element of the Framework
for Regulation. A decision to obtain an expert review of a draft
element may be made based on factors including:
• the controversial nature of the Framework element or difficulty
obtaining support for the element from constituent associations;
• the need for specific expertise;
• the desire for a broad consultation process due to the
fundamental nature of the Framework element;
• a request for expert review is made by the Framework Steering
Committee.
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Expert Review
• Engineers Canada will invite individuals to form panels of three
experts. Experts may be sought from:
– experts suggested by the constituent associations;
– members of the QB and its subcommittees;
– the Canadian Academy of Engineering;
– experts who are not professional Engineers.
• Engineers Canada staff will submit the draft Framework element
and supporting research to the expert panel, with a list of specific
questions or issues
• Expert panel will meet via teleconference to provide input
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Implementation Guidance
Purpose of Implementation Guidance
• Implementation of an element of the Framework
requires a level of detail not contained in the elements
themselves.
• In some cases, there is a benefit to the development of
more detailed implementation guidance to assist the
Constituent Associations which chose to implement
that particular element.
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Implementation Guidance
Factors in Favor of Implementation Guidance
New or emerging issue
New regulatory practice or requirement
Regulatory practice not currently in place in
more than half of Constituent Associations
Complex implementation documents which
can be developed in standard form and
adopted
Expressed desire by Constituent Associations
for guidance and/or standardized practices
Factors Against Implementation Guidance
Provincial associations have established,
relatively consistent procedures and have not
expressed any desire to change
Lack of widespread support for adoption of
framework element
Implementation requires revisions to
legislation
Existence of detailed guidance from other
Engineers Canada groups and/or Constituent
Associations
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Questions?
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For more information contact Beth Deazeley
beth.deazeley@engineerscanada.ca
Engineers make a world of difference