ETHICAL LEARNING
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2024
Microaggressions - How We Can Do Better: An Interactive Workshop
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
A workshop that will run the participations through three rounds of interactive brainstorming, each preceded with a short tone setting to start the round. In the first round, we will define microaggressions and ask participants for real life examples of what people face in their workplace and the world around them. In the second round, groups will brainstorm the small actions that individuals can take whether they are on the receiving end of the microaggression or witnessing it as a bystander. In the final round, groups will workshop what bold actions need to happen to facilitate real change in industry.
Speakers
Chunpreet Kaur Sahota, P.Eng.
Chunpreet Sahota is an accomplished Structural Engineer at WSP with 15 years of experience where she is regularly the cohesive force on multidisciplinary project teams. Chunpreet is passionate about making an impact and driving positive change at work, in the industry, in the community and for the people around her. She is a mentor, advocate and an inspiring leader as demonstrated through her volunteer activities and the committees she supports. Chunpreet was the recipient of the inaugural ACEC-BC EDI award for an individual in 2021 and was selected by Engineers Canada to be profiled as an EDI Leader in 2022.
Megan Atkinson, P.Eng.
Megan is the Director of Ground Engineering in BC’s Lower Mainland. She has over 20 years of experience in the geotechnical industry, spending many years in the field as a project engineer, moving on to project management and eventually leading to her current position in operational leadership. Megan has a team-oriented approach to people and project management and she specializes in the execution of large-scale, complex geotechnical projects. She joined WSP in 2021 and got involved with Women of WSP, where she currently serves as National Co-Chair.
Kelsie Priest, P.Eng.
Kelsie Priest is a Professional Engineer with over 10 years of progressive experience in structural design. She specializes in the structural design of concrete high-rises and wood-frame projects and has contributed to many iconic projects shaping the skylines of Vancouver, Seattle, and Los Angeles. In 2018, she co-founded Women in Consulting Engineering Vancouver (WCE), an organization that supports and empowers women in engineering with a goal of increasing gender diversity and inclusion in the industry. She is the 2023 recipient of the EGBC Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award and is passionate about building a more inclusive engineering profession.
The Johnny Mountain Mine Reclamation Project
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Seabridge Gold Inc. purchased SnipGold Corp. (SnipGold) in 2016, which included the Iskut Project, a land package of 29,436 hectares (294 km2) with immense exploration potential. The Iskut Project is located in Northwest British Columbia’s Golden Triangle, 100 kilometres northwest of Stewart, British Columbia, within Tahltan Territory. The historical Johnny Mountain Mine (JMM) is within the Iskut Project land package, and as such SnipGold has worked with the Tahltan Nation as partners in the planning and execution of reclamation and remediation efforts of the legacy environmental concerns from the previous operating mine. In this session, we will speak about the remediation efforts to date, as well as the relationship and collaboration with the Tahltan Nation throughout the reclamation process. SnipGold and the Tahltan Nation have developed a framework for communications, environmental management, employment, contracting, and capacity to ensure Tahltan can continue to exercise their stewardship responsibilities and protect culturally sensitive areas. Processes are also in place to ensure Tahltan people are meaningfully informed so that they can make informed, fact- based decisions as a nation.
Speakers
Erin Boyle
Erin Boyle is the Environment and Permitting Manager for Seabridge Gold and has worked for Seabridge since 2022. Throughout that time, she’s been responsible for environment and reclamation programs, as well as permit maintenance and acquisition. Prior to her work with Seabridge, she owned and operated her own environmental consulting business since 2003, in charge of all aspects of the company. Her career started in terrestrial wildlife biology but she quickly moved into a multi-disciplinary role. Her educational background includes graduating from the University of Northern British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management- Wildlife in 2001, and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Practice through Royal Roads University. Since 2001 she has been working on a number of research projects and as an environmental consultant which has enabled her to gain a diverse professional background. A significant part of her career has been spent managing field programs and research projects, field data collection, reporting, recommendations to government and industry, data analysis and communication with government personnel, indigenous communities, landowners, and the general public. Stewart, BC has been her home since 2008 which has enabled her to work throughout the northwest on various projects.
Elizabeth F. Miller
Elizabeth Fillatre Miller is Vice President of Environment and Social Responsibility (ESR) for Seabridge Gold. Mrs. Miller has been responsible for the environmental, reclamation and community programs for Seabridge Gold, including liaising with contractors, Federal and Provincial governments, indigenous communities and public interest groups for the past 13 years. Mrs. Miller holds a Master of Science degree, a Bachelor of Science, and is a Registered Professional Biologist in BC. Mrs. Miller has 24 years’ experience managing and implementing projects in British Columbia and Canada’s north. This range of experience has included working as a Senior Biologist with the Government of BC, Environmental Specialist with BHP Billiton at the EKATI Diamond Mine, as well as consulting on environmental programs for a variety of developmental projects. Originally from Newfoundland and a member of the Qalipu First Nation, she grew up in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and currently resides in Smithers, British Columbia (BC).
Kevin Hidber
Kevin Hidber is a seasoned Civil Engineering Technologist with over thirty-five years of diverse experience spanning various sectors including mine development and reclamation, municipal infrastructure, heavy civil construction, LNG development, and oil/gas development. His career has been marked by a wide range of projects, from engineering and surveying to complex construction implementations in challenging environments. Kevin's journey in civil engineering began with his education at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), where he earned his diploma in Civil Engineering Technology. He furthered his expertise with certifications in Project Management Fundamentals from the University of British Columbia, and specialized training such as Mine Supervisor and enhancing his leadership and safety management capabilities. With a wealth of knowledge and a steadfast commitment to integrity and teamwork, Kevin continues to make significant contributions to the field of civil engineering, ensuring that every project he undertakes meets the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency.
Wade Brunham
Wade is a Partner with ERM with 20+ years consulting experience across Canada, Europe, Mexico, and Panama. He is a people focused business leader working to operationalize sustainable development on complex natural resource projects. He is a strategic and progressive thinker with significant experience working with internal and external stakeholders, including company executives, Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members, government representatives, and regulators. His significant experience leading safe, remote, multi-disciplinary scientific studies, working collaboratively with Indigenous People, and focusing on Aquatic and Terrestrial Offsetting and Biodiversity Programs gives him unique and practical experience operationalizing sustainable development of natural resource projects.
David Willms, P.Eng.
David is a geotechnical engineer with over 20 years of experience in the mining industry. He has mostly focussed on design, construction, and dam safety services for mine tailings facilities. He has complementary experience with mine water management, waste dumps, and rock slopes. He is familiar with all stages of design and construction, from concept to closure. In his current role, he is the engineer of record for several tailings facilities in BC, and he has worked on a broad range of domestic and international projects.
Insights from the Registrant Demographics Data Project
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
In 2022, Engineers and Geoscientists BC began collecting optional self-identification data from registrants and applicants to better understand the demographic composition of our registrants. After three years of data collection and analysis, Engineers and Geoscientists BC is now delivering on the next stage of this project: data reporting and identification of insights based on the data. This presentation will share findings and insights and discuss how they are being used.
Speakers
Marcie Cochrane, P.Eng.
Marcie Cochrane, P.Eng., MBA (She/Her), is a consultant that has been working with Engineers and Geoscientists BC since 2019 to support their Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives. Marcie combines her experience working in industry along with her EDI research and expertise within the engineering sector to support industry organizations and engineering employers to develop strategy and implement action plans.
Chelsea Ram
Chelsea Ram is an EDI Coordinator with Engineers and Geoscientists BC. During her 12 years at Engineers and Geoscientists BC, she has been a key contributor to the organization’s equity, diversity and inclusion efforts. While Working at Engineers and Geoscientists BC, Chelsea has developed a strong understanding of the role of a regulator and how this organization’s programs and actions impact the inclusion and engagement of current and future registrants.
The Role of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists in Fighting Corruption
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
This presentation will identify the key national and international organizations that are engaged in combatting worldwide corruption, which is a growing economic, social and legal problem. Corruption damages international development efforts and local economies and cultures, and results in huge sums of money being laundered through the economies of many countries, including Canada. Ethical behaviour by professional engineers and geoscientists can make important contributions to fighting corruption, both internationally and here at home. The Engineers and Geoscientists BC Code of Ethics and Guide to the Code of Ethics provide a valuable tool to guide our ethical behaviour in this area.
Speakers
John Ritchie, P.Eng. (Non-Practising)
John Ritchie is a Civil Engineer with over 40 years of experience obtained in Canada, Asia and Australia. Following his engineering career, he served as anti-corruption Compliance Director for a large EPCM team implementing a major LNG project in Western Australia. Until 2018 he served on the Board of Directors of BC Hydro, and on the Board of Directors of Transparency International Canada. He has provided training webinars on the topic of Integrity Management to participants in the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) Future Leaders Management Programme. He served until 2023 as the Vice Chair of the FIDIC Integrity Management Committee, and is a Founding Co-Director of the Vancouver - based Anti-Corruption Law Program (ACLP).
Joseph Weiler
Professor Joseph Weiler joined the faculty of the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC in 1974, where he taught law courses in labour, employment, criminal, sports, entertainment and anti-corruption in business. He authored many books and articles, policy task force and commission reports about workplace innovation, human resource management, regulatory compliance, industry self-governance and safeguarding integrity in sports. He and is now Professor Emeritus at UBC. Professor Weiler served as Commissioner in the West Coast Container Traffic Commission of Inquiry from 1986-1988, Special Advisor to the BC Seafood Processing Industry Task Force from 1993-95, and he has held senior executive and director positions at prominent NGOs, industry associations and professional organizations. He is a Founding Co-Director of the Anti-Corruption Law Program.