Canadian Academy of EngineeringAdvocacy and Public Policy Panel Discussion

Sandro PerruzzaCEO

Despite their technical expertise on a wide array of public issues, engineers are rarely invited to the public policy-making table. Why is this the case, and how can engineers have their voices heard?

OUTLINE

1. Evidence

2. Analysis

3. Solutions

An Engineer – 2 PerspectivesA person who has scientific training and who designs

and builds complicated products, machines,

systems, or structures.

-Merriam Webster Dictionary

A kick-ass uber-genius with godly math and science

abilities, the training for which being at the expense

of those abilities for spelling and talking to members

of the opposite sex.

- Urban Dictionary

OSPE AGM 2013

OSPE TOWN HALL Strategic Planning Input Session

Monday, February 9th, 2015

A Matter of Perspective – Peer Review

“Need to spend more time learning how to share our perspective.” (Omar Alghabra P.Eng Visiting Professor at Ryerson U, and Former MP)

“A Silent Profession… only hear from Engineers in time of crisis.”(Dean Tom Duever P.Eng, Ryerson)

“We are definitely in the background … on major policy decisions.” (Dean Andrew Hrymark, P.Eng, Western)

OSPE TOWN HALL Strategic Planning Input Session

Monday, February 9th, 2015

A Matter of Perspective - Government

Engineers are trusted, respected, smart, and logical, but… Government ignores the advice of it’s own

engineer (Auditor General of Ontario)

Don’t really understand what Engineers do or what they are trying to say (Glen

Murray – Ont Min. of Env &CC)

Can’t explain what Engineer’s say to their constituents (Various MPPs and MPs)

Evidence isn’t the primary decision making criteria

FEAR

OSPE TOWN HALL Strategic Planning Input Session

Monday, February 9th, 2015

A Matter of Perspective – Media

“The results of the media analysis shows that Engineers are certainly not taken seriously by the media.” (Jamie Watt, Navigator)

Since March, 2013: 2 P. Eng Referenced out of 4000+ articles on Infrastructure 1 P.Eng Referenced out of 3000+ articles on Transit Similar results on other topics, such as Climate Change, Energy,

Research and Innovation, & Advanced Manufacturing

“Fact of the Matter is Engineers are not at the decision making table.”

Why the lack of Influence? Speak from Your Area of Expertise: This is a common fault of engineers. Recognize your professional limits. Don’t overstep them.

Know Your Audience and Speak Their Language: Start with a story that is supported by the evidence. Don’t confuse them with the calculations. Speak to the results.

Be Quick: Brief, Concise and To The Point! – It’s all about timing. Need to be quick to respond to an issue and ensure your voice is heard before others confuse the issue.

Engineers Talk to Engineers: Engineers have a tendency to stick to their own communities. Form coalitions with like minded non-engineering communities to expand your networks and your influence.

Don’t Wait For A Crisis: don’t wait for others to come to you. Build relationships with the Media before we need them. Same with Policy Makers, so we get invited on Panels.

A VOICE LOST IN THE CROWD Ontario Society of Professional Engineers Professional Engineers of Ontario Engineers Canada Consulting Engineers of Ontario Engineers Without Boarders Ontario Centre for Engineering Public Policy Institute of Engineering and Technology American Society of Mechanical Engineers Society of Manufacturing Engineers Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Canadian Society for Engineering Management Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society Clinical Engineering Society of Ontario

Canadian Society for Bioengineering Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Chemical Institute of Canada Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Women Engineering Advocacy Committee Ontario Women of Science and Engineering Ontario Network of Women In Engineering Society for Women in Engineering and Technology Society of Women Engineers Engineer Girl Women’s Engineering Society IEEE Women IN Engineering Women in Science, Eng, Tech & Trades Council of Deans of Engineering Canadian Medical & Biological Eng Society Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and … Various Societies of Student Engineers

Who Am I Talking To Again?

What is OSPE doing about it? Story Telling is a Powerful Tool

Building Coalitions of the Like Minded

Demonstrate our Value to Government

Demand a Seat at the Table

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Engage, Amplify, Excel… and GROW!

Reach out to the other 70% Engineering General Practioners

Short Term Wins… It’s Working!!1. OSPE Invited to Pre Budget Submission Consultation Session. (6 of 8

Recommendations included in Provincial Budget)

2. Bill 6 – Standing Committee on Government Business Joint Submission (Changes to Wording in Bill 6 to include the importance of P.Eng in Infrastructure)

3. OSPE at Working Table on Future of Engineering Program Expansion with the Ministry of Colleges, Training and Universities

4. 6 OSPE Media Impressions since March, 2015 – Radio and Newsprint

5. Other Advocacy Associations approaching OSPE to Peer Review their Research and join them on initiatives.

WE CAN’T DO IT ALONE

We need more engineers to get engaged with OSPE, help us

amplify our voice, and excel the profession.

Thank You!