OTTAWA CHAPTER CEO’s Ottawa Chapter represents 26 member firms with over 1,600 employees in the Ottawa area. We had another active year with member meetings scheduled every two months, and separate subcommittee meetings being well attended. The Chapter has continued to raise the profile of the profession by attending industry events such as the AGM of the National Capital Heavy Construction Association (NCHCA), and working with the City of Ottawa and NCHCA to provide seminars to our members such as Heavy Construction Outlook, Health and Safety, Accessibility, Vendor Performance Management and Contract Law. Subcommittees are the basis of our Chapter’s ability to address issues. Our Building Engineering Subcommittee is promoting participation by asking member firms specializing in building science disciplines (electrical, mechanical and structural) to address common issues related to working relations with private building owners and architects. The subcommittee has been proactively addressing member issues on procurement practices with Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC). The subcommittee has made progress and adjustments are being made to the procurement documents. Our CEO/City of Ottawa Liaison Subcommittee is the most active one with regular meetings that present CEO members’ concerns on topics, such as errors and omissions claims, milestone billings, vendor performance evaluation process, and construction inspection responsibility, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act compliance and revised general conditions of contract. This subcommittee has been successful in contributing to the City’s policies and guidelines to ensure that our member firms business interests are considered. The subcommittee developed a communication strategy with Mayor Jim Watson and city council on a number of procurement practices that are eroding our ability to provide 22 2015-2016 CEO ANNUAL REPORT high quality and high value engineering and design services to the City of Ottawa. CEO’s Barry Steinberg and David Zurawel met with City Councillors and senior staff last year to discuss the most pressing issues of the industry. Subsequent to the meetings with the Councillors, the subcommittee sent a letter to the Mayor indicating our concerns with the City procurement process. In addition, CEO and the Chapter worked together to issue an advisory on the auditor general’s recommendation that requires a mandatory 10% discount for assignments valued at greater than $150,000. Our Young Professionals have been active in engaging young professionals from our member firms to join in various activities. The group recently held an event titled “MBA 101 – Management Fundamentals for Engineers”. In conclusion, I want to thank the Chapter members and CEO staff, especially Barry Steinberg and David Zurawel, for their commitment in raising the prominence of CEO in Ottawa area and working with government agencies to develop more sustainable procurement and business practices for the industry. Derek Potvin, Chapter Chair Robinson Consultants Inc. Chapter Members Ryan Matthews, Vice-Chair CH2M Hill Canada Ltd. Phil Whelan, Past-Chair McIntosh Perry Consulting Ltd. Angelo Renon, Treasurer WSP Canada Inc. John Krug, Secretary Stantec Consulting Ltd. Edson Donnelly, Director Novatech Engineering Consultants Ltd. Andrew Lawton, Director McKee Engineering
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