This document summarizes comments from APEGA professionals about why they attended legislative review consultations on proposed changes to APEGA's legislation. Several key reasons emerged: 1) They wanted to provide input and ensure the legislation protects the public interest and is fair to members under investigation. 2) As members of a self-governing organization, they felt a responsibility to understand and engage with proposed changes. 3) Participation is important to help shape legislation that works for all members.

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The Legislative Review in Your Words
We asked APEGA professionals why they attended fall legislative review consultations. Here’s what they had to say.
“In the session I attended,
I learned that APEGA is
bringing forward a number
of changes to the legislation
that will strengthen the
investigative process, which
I was happy to see. I spent
almost three years on the
investigative committee and,
in my opinion, the proposed
changes will improve the
investigative process so
that it is fairer to Members
under investigation while still
protecting the public interest.
I think that APEGA has done a superb job of engaging its Members
in the legislative review process. ”
- MARLIN SCHMIDT, P.GEOL.
Edmonton Goldbar MLA
“I started as a Foreign
Licensee and do volunteering
whenever approached by
international graduates, so
it’s helpful to understand
how those arriving from
other countries can become
APEGA Members. APEGA is
a self-governing organization,
so it’s also important that I
give feedback and that every
Member understands the
responsibility that comes
alongside that.”
- IMRAN KHAN, P.ENG.
Calgary
“I’m a Responsible Member
for Nexen in Fort McMurray. I
want to have a voice in what
happens. If Members want
legislation in place that is
beneficial to the Association,
they have to participate. It’s
like voting. If you don’t vote,
don’t complain.”
- GARY CHEETHAM, P.ENG.
Fort McMurray
“APEGA is our Association. We need to make sure it’s heading
in the right direction. It’s good to listen to others’ opinions of
the legislative changes, and hopefully that leads to a new set of
regulations that work for all of us.”
- BRUCE STEWART, P.ENG.
Beiseker
“It’s important for Members
to contribute to the legislative
review process and give their
opinions, as this is related to
all of us and affects all of us. I
wanted to make sure my voice
is heard on the discussion
surrounding publishing
Member information during an
investigation.”
- AZITA AZARNEJAD, P.ENG.
Calgary
- SUNIL GYAWALI, P.ENG.
Edmonton
“I was practising in the United States and just moved to Alberta.
I registered with APEGA this spring and I wanted to learn more
about the self-regulatory process and all the changes that
are proposed by the legislative review. It’s very important to
incorporate Members’ ideas.”

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“I want to broaden my knowl-
edge of APEGA and how the
Association serves the public
interest. The legislative review
sessions are very informative
and very important. APEGA
is a self-regulating system,
managed by the Members
themselves, so I think it’s the
Members’ responsibility to con-
tribute their knowledge during
this review process.”
- VAHID AYAN, Provisional Licensee (Eng.), PhD
Edmonton
“I’m part of the legislative
review champions
collaborative. APEGA is one
of the rare organizations that
is run by Members. It’s for
the benefit of Members to
be informed of the proposed
changes and be engaged in
the legislative review process.
Every Member has a different
experience and therefore
brings a different perspective.
If a Member has an opinion on
the proposed changes, he or
she can voice it.”
- ROGHOYEH SALMEH, P.ENG., PhD
Calgary
“I’m a Responsible Member for
WSP Canada. The Act hasn’t
been changed for 30 years and
lots of things need to be updat-
ed, so it’s important to partici-
pate. There have been so many
changes in industry. APEGA
needs to be able to respond to
issues, for example with dis-
cipline or enforcement, more
promptly or appropriately.”
- GLORIA GERBER, P.ENG.
Edmonton
“As a Permit Holder, this is
a very important discussion
for my company. We’re
professionals who maintain a
high standard, and it’s crucial
for those providing professional
services in Alberta to adhere to
that. APEGA has the privilege
of being self-governing and
we need to participate in our
governance to make sure that it
remains at a high standard and
is valued in Alberta.”
- CALVIN MCCLARY, P.ENG.
Calgary
“I’m interested to see the proposed
changes and the direction APEGA
is going in. I would encourage all
Members to be a part of the legislative
review process because it’s their
Association and it’s their rules for
guiding the professions.”
- MARINA REEVES, P.ENG.
Calgary
- MIKE NOWLAN, P.ENG.
Chestermere
“It’s important to understand
what will affect you as a Member.
I came specifically to hear about
the discussion surrounding
Members’ privacy. I think
communities tend to be healthier
when their population is involved
in major decisions and legislation
that impacts them.”