The eGlance
February 4, 2021
MTO prompts Engineering Services Firms to update RAQS ESP Profiles
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is notifying Engineering Services Provider (ESP) Firms that they need to ensure their qualifications information in their RAQS ESP profiles is updated by April 30, 2021.

The ministry’s legacy registry, appraisal and qualification system (RAQS) was replaced in June, 2109 with a new electronic procurement portal, RAQS ESP. Having gone live in November, 2019, the new system is a “one stop” portal enabling firms to manage their participation in ministry procurements from qualification through to vendor performance.

The ministry will no longer be referencing legacy RAQS qualification information as of April 30, 2021. Firms that have not migrated their procurement qualification information to the RAQS ESP system by this date will be treated as a new applicant.

Details on how firms who have not yet done so can migrate their legacy information to the new system is located in the recently published MTO notice to Engineering Services Provider (ESP) Firms. A copy of the notice can be downloaded here. 

As always, should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact David Zurawel at dzurawel@ACECOntario.ca or Catherine Morrison, cmorrison@ACECOntario.ca. 
Metrolinx publishes new Rail Corridor Access and Control Requirements
ACEC-Ontario member firms providing services to Metrolinx projects are being advised that the agency has recently published new Rail Corridor Access and Control Requirements for its rights of way.
 
The General Notice, published January 20, 2021, has been implemented with immediate effect in response to what the agency characterizes as “a recent increase of safety infractions within the Metrolinx Network.”
 
The notice details a specific definition of how the agency classifies its rights of way, and the conditions under which any work can take place.
 
Both English and French versions of the notice are available.
 
As always, should you have any questions do not hesitate to contact David Zurawel at dzurawel@ACECOntario.ca or Catherine Morrison, cmorrison@ACECOntario.ca.
Consultation Proposing Amendments to Pre-Start Health and Review Requirements for Factories to Impact Engineering
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) is currently consulting on proposed amendments to section 7 of the Industrial Establishments regulation (Regulation 851) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). This section requires that a pre-start health and safety review (PSR) be carried out on certain machinery, protective elements, structures and processes in factories before they are put into service for the first time or if modifications are needed.

Earlier consultation on the current pre-start health and safety review requirements and the current PSR guideline produced feedback indicating that while there is general support for PSRs and their role in proactively protecting worker health and safety, there was strong support for changes that would clarify and streamline the regulatory requirements. Based on this feedback the ministry is now proposing amendments to section 7 and the table to that section. Of particular interest to ACEC-Ontario member firms is the proposal to remove reference to an engineer needing to affix his or her seal to the report.
 
As part of its obligations under the RRCBA, the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development is conducting a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) of these proposed amendments. The ministry is interested in whether the proposed amendments would result in savings or higher costs to business, or whether there would be no change. Based on feedback received last year, businesses indicated that the cost of a PSR depends on the complexity of the equipment, production line, structure or process, and can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The ministry is also interested in any information about costs or savings associated with carrying out PSRs, including equipment, training and education, maintenance, record keeping, other operating costs or other administrative costs. The ministry will consider this information as part of the proposal and the associated RIA.

For more information on the proposal please visit the Government of Ontario’s Regulatory Registry.
 
If you are interested in providing feedback or have any questions, please send an email to cmorrison@acecontario.ca to request a copy of Regulation 851 and the ministry consultation paper. ACEC-Ontario is requesting member feedback on the ministry consultation paper by Thursday March 4th.
2022 Nominations for the Allen D. Williams Scholarship Have Begun
The Allen D. Williams Scholarship is a prestigious annual award that serves as an incentive for Young Professionals to get involved with their respective Provincial/Territorial Associations to advance the priorities identified by these organizations. In the process, they enhance their knowledge of industry issues and advance their own professional development.

The winner has the opportunity to register for the FIDIC Future Leaders Management Certificate (FLMC) – Fall 2021 (starts January 2022) and will receive up to $5,000 to attend the 2022 FIDIC Conference. There, they will attend sessions geared towards young professionals in the industry while sharing their experiences with young professionals from around the world. Click here to see full details.

First Nations select engineering firms to do Ring of Fire road environmental assessment
Two heavyweight consulting firms have been selected to do the environmental assessment (EA) studies for the second leg of the proposed Ring of Fire road, from Marten Falls to Webequie.

SNC-Lavalin and Dillon Consulting were selected through a competitive bid process announced in a joint news release by Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation, the two community road proponents, on Jan. 28. Read full article.
Let's welcome Centex Engineering & Development to the ACEC-Ontario community
Let's give a warm welcome to Centex Engineering & Development, they have recently joined our growing ACEC-Ontario community. Located in Guelph, Ontario. Centex has expertise in civil engineering and with over a decade of experience in the infrastructure business they are qualified to work on a wide range of engineering projects.
IBI Group named lead Architect on TTC’s Line 1 Subway Enhancement Program in partnership with WSP
Global design and technology firm, IBI Group has been named lead architect on the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) Line 1 Subway Enhancement Program. In partnership with prime consultant WSP, IBI Group will manage the review and development of facility station modification requirements for the 11-year program, set to deliver capacity upgrades to manage increased ridership in the near and long term.

“We are proud to work together with WSP and the TTC to support its goal of improved customer experience, safety and satisfaction,” said IBI Group Director and Senior Practice Lead, Architecture, Lisa D’Abbondanza. “The TTC’s Enhancement Program also supports the continued growth of the City of Toronto, making the benefits of a healthy public transit system more accessible to city residents and visitors.” Read news.
OSPE Announces Their 2021 Membership Drive and Virtual Lunch & Learns
The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (www.ospe.on.ca) has launched their Annual Membership Drive, and they are hoping you will join the OSPE community! 
 
OSPE is the voice of the engineering community in the province, and advocates on behalf of the profession to government, industry, and academia. OSPE also offers professional development and career services to the engineering community, as well as impactful and relevant networking events and conferences that address current, and future, societal and economic issues.
 
OSPE Membership is an excellent opportunity for you and your organization to continue to invest in yourself providing the opportunity for you as an engineering professional to contribute to the advancement of the engineering sector in a meaningful and impactful manner. For organizations, this is a superb way to continue to invest in your engineering staff. Please visit the OSPE Membership page to review some of the benefits.
 
There are two virtual lunch & learn sessions scheduled in the coming weeks. Please feel free to join one of these sessions or to share this information with your engineering and human resources colleagues. If you have questions or would like to set-up a lunch & learn for your organization please contact Jason Di Tommaso, Strategic Partnerships, jditommaso@ospe.on.ca / 1-613-986-1437. 
 
Session 1: OSPE Membership Benefits - Virtual Lunch & Learn
Wed, Feb 17, 2021 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM (EST)
You can also dial in using your phone: +1 (647) 497-9391
Access Code: 908-804-853
 
Session 2: OSPE Membership Benefits Virtual Lunch & Learn
Thu, Feb 25, 2021 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM (EST)
You can also dial in using your phone. Canada: +1 (647) 497-9391
Access Code: 773-734-733
OSPE and Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering needs your input!
The Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering has issued a survey in partnership with the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers to explore and enhance the leadership experiences of engineering graduates. The survey is open to all engineering graduates, regardless the nature of your current role. The survey is completely anonymous and should take 10-15 minutes. Click here to read more and take the survey.
‘One Ontario’ aims to streamline development application approvals
ACEC-Ontario is among the supporters for ‘One Ontario,’ a new collaborative initiative that aims to standardize and streamline the development application approval process across the province.

AECO Innovation Lab, an industry consortium focusing on productivity, sustainability and profitability for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sectors, launched One Ontario last June. Since then, stakeholders and supporters have joined the effort to unify data exchange, improve efficiency and transparency throughout the development approvals process and enable data aggregation for future reporting and measurement.
2020 Year in Review: Infrastructure Ontario Loans support community infrastructure
Infrastructure Ontario continues to support municipalities and other eligible public-sector partners in their work to improve the quality of life in their communities by providing affordable, long-term financing for infrastructure development and renewal.

Infrastructure Ontario’s (IO) Loan Program has committed to more than $550 million in loans, in support of 159 local infrastructure projects over the past year. The loan portfolio continues to grow and support community needs.

IO committed to financing 159 local projects. Read more.
Ontario launches Southwestern Ontario Transportation Task Force
Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, announced a locally based transportation task force in southwestern Ontario. The Southwest Task Force will focus on improving connections between transportation modes such as rail, bus, and local transit services across the region and will ensure that transportation planning is informed by local needs and considerations.

"We're working to address transportation needs in regions across Ontario and feedback from leaders who live and work in the local community will be essential," said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. "The Southwest Task Force will ensure transportation plans for the southwest reflect the diverse voices within the community and help determine the most important transportation needs in the region." Read press release.
Ontario company interested in purchasing Orangeville Railway
Public transit often comes in one of two forms – bus or train, but a brand new technology is merging the two together to create a less expensive and more profitable method of transportation. 

Municipal Transit Solutions (MTS), which operates out of Newmarket, puts electric buses on rails, a method never before seen in the transit industry. They’re hoping to use this new technology, called Ultra Light Rail Transit (ULRT) on Orangeville’s rail line that runs to Mississauga and put in a private transit system, at no cost to taxpayers. Read full article.
Does your firm have news that you want to share with the Ontario engineering community? Please send stories to Michelle West at mwest@acecontario.ca.
Association of Consulting Engineering Companies | Ontario acecontario.ca
Association of Consulting Engineering Companies | Ontario | acecontario.ca