MISSISSAUGA, ONT. — The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-Ontario (ACEC-Ontario) is celebrating five decades of advancing the province’s consulting engineering industry.
According to a release, since its founding in 1975, ACEC-Ontario has played a pivotal role in shaping provincial and municipal infrastructure, fostering innovation and advocating for fair business practices along with regulatory reform.
“Celebrating 50 years of progress, ACEC-Ontario stands behind the transformative power of consulting engineering in shaping Ontario’s infrastructure and communities,” said Mark Tulloch, 2024-2025 chair in a statement. “As we honour our legacy, we remain steadfast in driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and championing a future of growth and resilience for our member firms and the communities we serve.”
As part of its 50th-anniversary celebrations, the association is renewing its commitment to advancing innovation and sustainability.
Recent successes include publishing the association’s first Climate Change Position Statement, securing a commitment from the City of Ottawa to reform its procurement policies and launching network programs that bring members together around topics such as diversity, sustainability and transportation, the release reads.
While these are the latest initiatives the association has embarked on, since its inception there have been a number of issues ACEC-Ontario has tackled.
“Early advocacy efforts established the association as a vital voice, driving key initiatives such as the partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Technology in 1989 with a focus on business conditions for consulting engineers,” the release adds.
Over the decades, ACEC-Ontario has achieved numerous milestones, including:
- Signing the first agreement for professional consulting services with the Municipal Engineers Association, which has been regularly updated, with the latest in 2024.
- Highlighting the role of consulting engineers in public safety during the Walkerton Inquiry.
- Advocating for a fair consultant selection system with the Ministry of Transportation.
- Pioneering qualifications-based selection processes with Metrolinx.
- Influencing key legislation, such as the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act.
- Continuing the legacy of the Ontario Engineering Project Awards, which has been celebrated for nearly 25 years.
- In-person and online continual professional development, including the launch of EngineeringCPD.ca, ensuring staff of member firms can meet their PEO PEAK requirements.
- Establishing joint liaison committees with Ottawa, London, Waterloo, Guelph, York Region, Halton Region, Peel Region, Niagara Region, Metrolinx, and the Ministry of Transportation.
“ACEC-Ontario’s dedication to fostering collaboration with municipalities, government agencies, and industry stakeholders ensures that consulting engineers remain at the forefront of the province’s infrastructure and economic development. We thank our members, volunteers, and partners for their unwavering support over the years and their leadership and time to ensure positive momentum on advocacy,” Andrew Hurd, executive director of ACEC-Ontario stated. “Together, we will continue to engineer ontario forward, shaping a future for our communities defined by excellence and innovation.”
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