Letters, April 15

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/04/2023 (1246 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Assessment process updated

Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba would like to comment on statements made in Robert Foster’s letter (“Don’t waive requirements,” March 3) regarding the Article, Ukrainians welcomed in workplace, but still finding jobs below their qualifications (Feb. 26). The association met recently with Foster to inform and provide information about changes to our admissions process to improve fairness and equity.

The Feb 26. article refers to the experience of a recent immigrant engineer who “would need at least two years of (Canadian) experience to work as a professional engineer in Canada.” This may have been the case in the past or with other regulators; however, Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba eliminated the one-year Canadian work experience requirement for applicants seeking professional registration in Manitoba in 2022. This policy change was driven by a commitment to fair registration practices.

The association uses a competency-based assessment process for an applicant to gain professional registration and all work experience is eligible no matter where that experience was gained — in Canada or abroad. The focus of an applicant’s assessment is on core engineering and geoscience competencies, and an applicant’s ability to demonstrate those competencies and have them validated by professionals.

Furthermore, we no longer specify that an applicant must have four years of work experience. In 2022, we shifted the registration process from a time-based “must have 48 months of work experience” to competency-based, recognizing that applicants develop engineering or geoscience competencies at different rates. That said, it is expected that it will take many years of work experience in their field for a new graduate to be at a practitioner competency level.

The association modified its approach to registration to streamline the process for applicants, and treat both internationally and domestically educated applicants equitably, while allowing only qualified and competent applicants to obtain professional registration (P.Eng. or P.Geo.). This approach ensures that the registration process is fair for all no matter where an applicant obtained their education and work experience, while ensuring continued high standards are maintained for the professions.

Michael Gregoire, P.Eng. MBA FEC

CEO, Registrar, and Secretary (Acting), Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba

Winnipeg

Welcome back, Adler

Yet another tedious, boring, cliché about Winnipeg weather, potholes and dark winters says more about Charles Adler’s disposition than our place on this planet (Winnipeg is where you come back to, April 13).

While extolling his time in Tampa, Fla., he seems to have forgotten the heat and humidity of May to September there (never mind its politics).

Every place has its beauty and its downside. Winter is not always bitterly cold, and as a continental geographic city our climate enjoys a mentally healthy variety of seasons. We get to “travel” four times a year without going anywhere. The particular joys of winter clearly are lost to Adler. We are more than just friendly.

Meanwhile, his thin diagnosis of provincial politics does not belong in the Think Tank part of this newspaper. Perhaps he was trying to be light — I found it old-school disparaging.

I would suggest he buy some cross country skis (skates, curling shoes, a toboggan, fat bike, theatre pass… at a reasonable costs) and when he comes home, light a few candles and enjoy the dark, long, quiet winter nights with his friends until he can enjoy our glorious other seasons.

Harvey Zahn

Winnipeg

I think Charles Adler may have missed at least two relevant developments in Manitoba‘s political situation. Perhaps they occurred as he was moving between Vancouver Calgary and Florida.

Wab Kinew became leader of the official Opposition, the NDP, more than a year after Greg Selinger’s government was defeated.

Heather Stefanson, on the other hand, became leader of the provincial Progressive Conservative party, and premier, very shortly after former premier Brian Pallister’s departure. She continued many Pallister policies.

It is illogical and inaccurate to reference a Selinger-Kinew NDP.

It is logical, accurate and relevant to refer to the Pallister-Stefanson PCs.

Welcome back to Manitoba, Mr. Adler. Good luck making friends.

Lynn Silver

Winnipeg

School project will increase traffic

Re: Expansion of River Heights school raises hackles (April 5)

This project is contrary to the Winnipeg School Division No. 1’s strategic priorities, contravenes a legislated act, does not have the student enrolment to support it, creates numerous safety hazards, has a significant negative impact on the environment and community, is fiscally irresponsible and is in opposition to the City of Winnipeg’s strategic direction.

Contrary to the claim by the chairwoman of the parent advisory council, there isn’t an enrolment demand in WSD No. 1 for the proposed school. Since 2016-‘17, the WSD No. 1 elementary N-6 enrolment has decreased by 12.9 per cent and continues to trend in that direction.

The project has a negative impact on the environment. Plans call for cutting down mature trees, paving over a green space, which currently contains two baseball diamonds extensively used by the community, with a surface parking lot significantly larger than required.

Out-of-catchment students are to be bused over eight kilometres. The traffic study recommendation creates a number of safety hazards. Student dropoff is combined with the parking lot.

Vehicular traffic will increase by 1,200 daily trips at the intersection of Grant Avenue and Brock Street. This intersection contains a frequently used public transit bus stop and is adjacent to the entrance of the proposed school. The traffic congestion will be so extreme that the traffic engineers recommend that residents on Brock Street not be allowed to park in front of their houses.

At the community open house, a mother stated that she presently walks her two children to the existing elementary school. While crossing Grant at the school crosswalk, she was almost hit by a car twice over the last year. This safety hazard will become even greater with the addition of the new school and traffic on Grant increasing with the completion of the Kapyong Barracks development.

This project is being fast-tracked, even though there is no student need in the ward, it is detrimental to the environment and construction costs are at an all-time high. A complete waste of taxpayers’ money.

Thomas Akerstream

Winnipeg

Schur will be missed

Re: Man of vision (April 10)

I met “Dynamic” Danny Schur when visiting Winnipeg for the unveiling of the Bookmarks for Strike!, the musical by Danny Schur and Rich Chafe.

What a fabulous history lesson my husband and I got when Danny took us on a tour of the historic sites of the city. He seemed to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the history and delivered his commentary with passion. The Bookmarks at Stephen Juba Park will be a monument to this man who had such a deep love of his city and its history.

Hughena Matheson

President, Project Bookmark Canada

Burlington, Ont.