I.2 The Role and Responsibilities of Professionals in Society

In assessing the connection between professionals and society, it is essential to take into account six key factors.

Public trust: The effective functioning of the profession and its professionals relies heavily on the presence of trust.

Elitist misperception: The stringent standards associated with many professions can sometimes be misconstrued as elitism, yet real professionals utilize their skills and knowledge to support the public good.

Monopoly misperception: Professions might appear to operate as monopolies that regulate who is allowed to practice, yet their primary objective is to guarantee that qualified individuals safeguard the interests of the public.

Public expectations: To address the growing demands for professionalism, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency, it is essential to foster clear communication and provide education from industry experts.

Complexity and specialization: As complex job functions increase, there is a growing need for specialization, highlighting the importance of effective communication and teamwork in management.

Accountability: Professionals are required to manage their responsibilities to multiple stakeholders, including the public, regulatory bodies, and employers, all while addressing conflicting demands.

Self Regulation

All provinces and territories have implemented laws to form professional associations. These organizations are responsible for regulating engineering and geoscience practices in a manner that prioritizes the public interest, acting on behalf of the government.

Council members are elected to execute the functions of the association. The majority of these members are professional engineers or geoscientists affiliated with the association, although a limited number of positions are designated for public representatives.

This is known as a self-regulated profession, where professionals govern themselves, unlike countries like the USA which rely on government regulation.

Self-regulation supports these important areas of practice:

Right to title: Titles such as “P. Eng.” or “Professional Geoscientist” serve to assist the public in recognizing qualified professionals in their respective fields.

Scope of practice: This safeguards the practice of engineering and geoscience to ensure that it is conducted solely by qualified experts.

The principle of self-regulation ensures that the Council includes knowledgeable engineers and geoscientists who apply their expertise in managing the Act.

This arrangement serves the public interest, as the association functions autonomously, primarily supported by licensing fees instead of depending on provincial or federal financial assistance.

Quick Tips: Earning a degree alone does not entitle you to use the titles "Professional Engineer" or "Geoscientist in Training" (GIT). To obtain these designations, you must first complete the registration process with your respective professional association.