Suspended N.B. engineer faces 4th lawsuit over alleged building design flaws
Case alleges Shediac apartment building opening delayed for repairs
A fourth lawsuit has been filed over alleged design flaws in a building by a suspended Moncton structural engineer.
New Brunswick-based LRL Property Investments Inc. filed a lawsuit Thursday in Moncton court against Hélène Thériault and her firm, Match Engineering.
The case says LRL Property Investments hired Match to complete structural engineering design work for a new apartment building on Main Street in Shediac. The case alleges the flaws prompted a delay in opening the building so repairs could be completed.
Three other cases have been filed this year alleging flawed design work by Match and Thériault. She is listed as the only corporate director of the Moncton firm. The latest case offers more details about the work that followed to address the alleged flaws.
Last month, CBC News reported that Halifax structural engineer John Richardson reviewed several buildings Thériault allegedly designed and concluded some were at risk of collapse. Richardson said he contacted Thériault on Jan. 9 about his concerns.
The LRL case alleges Thériault knew, or should have known, in January that "significant issues existed with the design work of Match Engineering."
But, the case says that information wasn't disclosed to LRL Property Investments at the time and construction of its building continued.
"The repairs, after construction have resulted in significant wasted expenses as a result of the delay by Hélène Thériault and Match Engineering failing to warn LRL Properties in a timely manner," the lawsuit states.
The filing outlines a list of repairs, including:
- Digging up a sidewalk to expose the buildings footings, a component of its foundation.
- Removing portions of the concrete parking garage slab to install footings.
- Cutting and removing walls and ceilings on multiple floors to install steel.
- Removing "surfaces" in residential units to add steel plates.
- Installing new patio columns on 12 apartment and two commercial unit balconies.
The case seeks payment from Thériault and her company for various costs, including design work for the repairs and for the interruption in use of the building.
The allegations in the case have yet to be tested in court. Thériault and her company have yet to file a statement of defence.
A lawyer representing Thériault and Match Engineering did not respond to a request for comment.
James Boudreau previously said they would not comment while cases are before the courts.
The lawsuit alleges the opening of the building had to be delayed. (Mathieu Bernier/Radio-Canada)
LRL Property Investments did not respond to a request for comment by Radio-Canada.
The earlier cases against Thériault or her firm alleged flaws in a Dieppe, Miramichi and a different Shediac building.
Match has admitted to the "under design" of components of two buildings in Shediac and Miramichi.
Company admits 'under design' in other cases
In the Dieppe case, the company has admitted "to certain deficiencies in design, but, denies all other statements and allegations" in the lawsuit. The court filing doesn't elaborate on the admitted deficiencies.
Statements of defence in the Miramichi and Shediac cases also make admissions.
"Match admits to under design of the transfer slab and certain elements, including columns and supports, supporting and connected to the slab," the documents state, going on to say there was insufficient rebar specified by Match.
The statements of defence say that Match wasn't the cause of losses alleged by building owners, but says if they had losses, it was caused by unnamed contractors on the projects, or by other officials.
The Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of New Brunswick, which regulates the engineering profession, suspended Thériault's licence to practise on May 10.
The association said in a June 7 statement the suspension was based on "allegations of serious deficiencies in the design of multiple buildings, both constructed and under construction." The association has not answered questions about how many buildings or in what communities.
Association awaits external review report
Lauren Nicholson, a spokesperson for the association, said Tuesday that it is still awaiting a report by an external investigator tasked with reviewing Thériault's buildings.
Nicholson said a discipline process for Thériault will only proceed once that report and other information is available.
Thériault has also been suspended by engineering associations in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Engineers Nova Scotia says Thériault resigned from the association earlier this year.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Pascal Raiche-Nogue
Engineers call for more building-plan checks in wake of Moncton engineer's suspension
UNB professor says public has ‘misconception’ of how municipalities review building designs
An engineering professor says there's a need for more independent reviews of building plans, particularly from single-person firms, to help catch potential mistakes.
Taylor Steele, a University of New Brunswick assistant professor specializing in structural engineering, made the comments after CBC News reported new details of allegations against suspended Moncton structural engineer Hélène Thériault last week.
"I think this is the most serious situation that I've heard of recently, especially in New Brunswick," Steele said of the allegations against Thériault.
Steele and Halifax structural engineer John Richardson, who reviewed some buildings allegedly designed by Thériault, spoke to CBC News about how building plans are approved by municipalities and checked during construction. Both said more engineers should be reviewing building plans.
Thériault was suspended on May 10 by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of New Brunswick, which regulates the engineering profession in the province.
The association cited "allegations of serious deficiencies in the design of multiple buildings, both constructed and under construction."
James Boudreau, a lawyer representing Thériault and her firm Match Engineering, declined to comment on the allegations, citing ongoing lawsuits related to her work and professional disciplinary proceedings.
Both Steele and Richardson say significant trust is placed in the work of an engineer, municipal authorities generally rely on building plans as submitted, and inspections during construction are largely to ensure those plans are being followed.
"One of the things that might be a misconception with the public is that the municipal authority reviews in detail the design decisions and calculations behind the proposed design, and that's rarely the case," Steele said.
"I would say in general, the municipal planners and those responsible for permitting, for example, generally just make sure that if there's something not clear on the drawings that it's something that gets reviewed by the engineer and detailed out."
The cities of Moncton and Dieppe, and the Southeast Regional Service Commission, declined interview requests regarding their approvals and inspection processes. The commission provides land-use planning for several municipalities like Riverview and Shediac.
A
Moncton structural engineer, who worked on this building in Dieppe, was
suspended in May over allegations of serious deficiencies in the design
of multiple buildings. This building's owner says it has since been
reinforced and declared safe. (Becky Parsons/Radio-Canada)
A spokesperson for the City of Dieppe said in an emailed statement that the municipality requires developers to provide structural plans that have been stamped and approved by an engineer in good standing with the provincial engineers' association.
Spokesperson Julie Albert said the city also requires a structural engineer to provide a report about construction to show the work has followed the submitted designs.
A
spokesperson for the City of Dieppe says it requires a report is
required showing that construction of a building is being completed in
line with plans submitted during the permit process. (Gilles Landry/Radio-Canada)
The statement did not address whether the city itself verifies the assumptions or calculations used in the plans, or the adequacy of the plans during construction.
Isabelle LeBlanc, a spokesperson for the City of Moncton, said in an email that the city doesn't have a structural engineer on staff.
Richardson said in his almost four decades of experience, municipalities typically don't have the staff or resources to check a set of drawings to determine if the concrete is thick enough and if there's enough reinforcing steel, a reference to the alleged deficiencies with some of Thériault's designs.
"There's really not any other checking other than what happened in-house with the original design engineer," Richardson said.
The engineers' association said Thériault was the only engineer registered at her firm, Match Engineering, at the time of her suspension.
Halifax
structural engineer John Richardson says significant trust is placed in
the work of an engineer and that municipal authorities generally rely
on the plans as submitted. (Dave Laughlin/CBC)
Steele said in his experience as an engineer before becoming a professor, there are more chances for peer reviews to catch potential errors in plans at companies that have more than one engineer.
"Someone who's running their own company, they don't have employees. They're doing the design work, the analysis work by themselves, and are ultimately taking responsibility for that work," Steele said.
"They don't have a requirement for internal peer review because they have no internal peers to perform such a review. And what that means, generally speaking, is that the individual needs to be twice or three times as diligent."
Though he doesn't want too much additional burden placed on owners or sole proprietors, Steele said he believes some level of independent review should happen. He suggested that whether a review is required could be determined by the type of project or its dollar value.
Richardson also hopes to see more reviews done.
"If the air conditioning is not working, that's one thing," he said. "But if there's a structural failure, it would be catastrophic, right? And so, yeah, I would like to see more people looking at drawings."
A spokesperson for the engineers' association did not respond to a request for comment on whether more reviews are needed.
The Construction Association of New Brunswick-Moncton Northeast declined to comment for this story.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Taylor C. Steele
Assistant Professor, Acting Director of Graduate Studies
Ph.D., P.Eng.
Head Hall B4
Fredericton
James P. Boudreau
About Jim
Jim is a member of our Civil Litigation, and Labour & Employment services areas. While Jim’s civil litigation practice is particularly focused on the defence of professionals, including architects, engineers and accountants, and employment law, he also offers general counsel to a number of businesses.
Along with Jim’s trial experience, he has participated in multiple mediations involving construction claims of all sizes, from residential to multi-million dollar projects. Jim is counsel to one of the region’s largest professional liability insurers.
Jim has served our community in various capacities over the past many years, including stints as a Board member with Big Brothers & Sisters, the IWK Health Centre Foundation and the Halifax-Dartmouth Transportation Club. Jim recently served eight years on the Board of Sport Nova Scotia, the last two as its Chair. Currently, he is a member of the Boards of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame and Harbour City Homes, the City of Halifax Non-Profit Housing Society. Jim also spent many years teaching Civil Procedure Workshops at Dalhousie and coaching hockey in the Halifax Hawks Minor Hockey Association. Jim has sipped from the Stanley Cup!
Professional Associations
Canadian Bar Association
Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
Education
Bachelor of Science, Dalhousie University, 1980
Bachelor of Law, Dalhousie University, 1984
Admitted to Nova Scotia Bar 1985
Practice Areas
Contact Info
Engineer concluded suspended N.B. engineer's buildings risked collapse, seeks provincial review
John Richardson says ‘immediate danger has gone away’ for known buildings
A Halifax structural engineer has described some buildings by a suspended Moncton engineer as the scariest things he's come across during his nearly four-decade career.
John Richardson told CBC News that over the last six months, he has reviewed several multi-storey apartment buildings allegedly designed by Hélène Thériault that he concluded were at risk of collapse.
"They're working for various reasons that should not be part of the structural design," Richardson said of his conclusions about the structures.
"Things like the drywall partitions and components like that are what are helping hold these buildings up temporarily. And they're not meant to do that."
Richardson's comments offer a glimpse into the seriousness and scope of the allegations against Thériault and her company, Ingénierie Match Engineering Inc., and a scramble to identify and check buildings she allegedly helped design in multiple New Brunswick communities.
CBC tried, but was unable, to get a full picture of how many buildings Thériault worked on, where they are located and whether she worked alone or as part of a team.
In response to two lawsuits, Match has admitted to the "under design" of components of two buildings in Shediac and Miramichi.
The details in the court filings align with what Richardson told CBC he observed.
Thériault did not respond to requests for comment.
A lawyer representing her and Match Engineering in lawsuits filed by building owners that used Richardson to review their structures declined to comment while the matters are before the courts.
Thériault's firm was incorporated in 2015 and records list her as its only corporate director. Associations in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, where she was also registered, described her as the only engineer associated with the company.
While architects conceive of a building's overall design, a structural engineer would be responsible for detailed engineering designs and structural analysis. Their plans would be used for construction.
But all of the ones I've looked at that have these issues have been shored up to the best of my knowledge. So the current and immediate danger has gone away.
- John Richardson, structural engineer
Richardson described the plans he reviewed as being for buildings mainly in southeast New Brunswick, though some were in Saint John and Miramichi.
"They all had issues to varying degrees, and about half of those, approximately, are occupied," Richardson said.
"But all of the ones I've looked at that have these issues have been shored up to the best of my knowledge. So the current and immediate danger has gone away."
He said shoring up buildings has meant adding temporary supports as longer-term fixes are planned.
"I've been a structural engineer for 38 years, designing buildings, and I have not seen anything like this once," said Richardson, whose past work includes the Halifax convention centre and apartment buildings.
The company he works for also helped design Moncton's Avenir Centre arena.
Suspended in May
The Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of New Brunswick, which regulates the engineering profession, suspended Thériault's licence to practise on May 10 pending a disciplinary hearing. She has been a member since 2011.
The New Brunswick association said in a June 7 statement the suspension was based on "allegations of serious deficiencies in the design of multiple buildings, both constructed and under construction."
The association has yet to specify what the alleged problems are, how many buildings or in what communities.
Several municipalities, as well as New Brunswick's Department of Public Safety, haven't answered how many buildings Thériault allegedly designed in their jurisdictions.
Julie Albert, a spokesperson for the City of Dieppe, said that as of June 19, it has identified about 20 buildings linked to Thériault in the municipality. The statement did not identify the buildings.
Albert said the city continues to work with building owners.
Richardson described becoming involved in reviewing some of Thériault's buildings in December. He said he was contacted after cracks were noticed in the foundation of a 63-unit apartment building that was still under construction in Dieppe.
Richardson says his involvement began with this Dieppe apartment building. (Becky Parsons/Radio-Canada)
Quest CEO Harold Daley told CBC the company turned to Richardson after working with him on a previous project.
Richardson said he reviewed the building plans and quickly concluded there was a problem with what's called a transfer slab that serves as the roof of a parking garage, carrying the weight of four floors and a roof to support columns.
"I've done numerous buildings similar to that, so I sort of knew based on how many levels were above what the spans were, what that floor should look like, and this building just obviously didn't meet what I expected at all," Richardson said.
Just before Christmas, Richardson toured the building and said he saw more cracks than he considered normal. In Richardson's opinion, the building wasn't safe for construction work to continue.
Daley said work halted in January as temporary supports were added to make the building safe. Daley said permanent measures were added with Richardson's input.
"The temporary measures that were put in place have been taken down and the building is safe now for occupancy," Daley said, saying it's set to open in September.
'My heart kind of sunk'
Richardson said he spoke to Thériault by phone Jan. 9 and asked how many similar buildings she had designed, saying he recalls her saying she worked on many of them.
"At that point my heart kind of sunk," he said.
That same day, he wrote to the engineers' association about his concerns, writing that he wouldn't file a formal complaint because he did not have details about her other buildings. He asked the association to take over.
What happened between his message and her suspension four months later has emerged as a point of contention.
In a statement to CBC, the association's CEO and registrar, Lia Daborn, said the lack of a formal complaint by Richardson "hampered our efforts."
The statement says that "following its own investigation," the association "filed the Complaint against Ms. Thériault." It didn't say when that investigation began, or when the complaint was filed.
The statement said the association's complaint was without assistance from on-the-record information from Thériault's clients or engineers who reviewed her work.
"In fact, if anyone had gone on the record with the Association, we may have been able to act sooner," Daborn said in the statement.
Richardson says he was asked to review plans for this apartment building in Dieppe last December. (Becky Parsons/Radio-Canada)
After his involvement with the Dieppe building, Richardson said, he began hearing from other companies that allegedly used Thériault's designs, as well as from municipalities, which wanted him to take a look at plans.
Richardson told CBC he passed along information to the association as more buildings came to his attention. The association didn't answer a question from CBC about that.
A lawsuit against Thériault's firm, Match Engineering, was filed in March about its work on the Dieppe building. The case refers to expenses to investigate cracks, but doesn't name Richardson.
Last month, Match's lawyer filed a statement of defence in the case.
"Match admits to certain deficiencies in design, but, denies all other statements and allegations" in the lawsuit, the document states. The court filing doesn't elaborate on the admitted deficiencies.
Two other lawsuits have been filed against Thériault and Match Engineering about buildings in Shediac and Miramichi, buildings Richardson had also been asked to review. Statements of defence were filed in those cases Monday.
"Match admits to under design of the transfer slab and certain elements, including columns and supports, supporting and connected to the slab," the documents state, going on to say there was insufficient rebar specified by Match.
The statements of defence say that Match wasn't the cause of losses alleged by building owners, but says if they had losses, it was caused by unnamed contractors on the projects, or by other officials.
One lawsuit alleges issues in the design of this apartment building in Shediac that required temporary and permeant fixes. (Becky Parsons/Radio-Canada)
Richardson said the buildings he's reviewed are multi-storey apartment buildings with several floors above an indoor parking garage.
In basic terms, Richardson described the main issue he observed as a concrete transfer slab over the parking garage that's too thin, with too little supporting steel.
"We design building components so they have more capacity than the load that they are expected to have to carry, and that's our safety factor," Richardson said.
But, he said, he concluded the buildings lacked a safety factor to support loads the buildings might typically see day-to-day.
Based on his experience, he said this could lead to the slab failing, resulting in higher levels collapsing into the basement.
"That hasn't happened, thank goodness," Richardson said. "But we were very concerned, particularly with some of the buildings."
Evacuations were considered at several points, but ultimately none have occurred. Instead, he said, he was comforted that temporary supports could be in place within 24 to 48 hours.
Richardson said he opted to speak publicly because he worries there may be other buildings that Thériault worked on that have yet to be checked.
"Because they are so dangerous that they could in fact collapse and there's people living in them. That's my big worry."
Asked whether the association has a full list of her work over the years, the engineer association's CEO said in a statement it is in "possession of Ms. Thériault's records," but didn't directly say if that means it has a complete list.
The association said its investigation is ongoing.
"As any further issues are identified, we will continue to work, municipalities, provincial officials, and building owners to ensure public safety," Daborn said in the statement.
Engineer calls for provincial investigation
The association said it has hired an external investigator to review the known designs of buildings and structures associated with Thériault.
It said it is still awaiting the investigator's report.
However, Richardson is calling for a broader review, suggesting what he saw requires the provincial government to appoint a person, or several, to find and check each building.
"I'm not looking to do the work, just to be clear," Richardson said.
"We have — we're very busy. We have more than enough work, but I'm just concerned about the safety of the people living in these buildings."
A spokesperson for New Brunswick's Department of Public Safety didn't address the call for a provincially led investigation, instead directing questions to the association.
Hearing postponed
Thériault was to face a disciplinary hearing in June, but that hearing was cancelled. The association said her lawyer has agreed to facilitate the process without her needing to attend. It's unclear when, or if, a hearing may take place.
The Prince Edward Island engineering association has also suspended Thériault following her suspension in New Brunswick, though it says there's no indication she has worked on buildings in that province.
Engineers Nova Scotia says Thériault resigned from that association earlier this year, and it isn't aware of any buildings in that province she worked on.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Pascal Raiche-Nogue
BMR Structural Engineering
5495 Spring Garden Road, 4th Floor
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1G2
Engineers & Geoscientists New Brunswick
What is aPEGNB?
Founded in 1920, (APEGNB) took responsibility of regulating New Brunswick’s engineering profession and in 1999 assumed the regulation of the geoscience profession as well. APEGNB has over 6,000 engineers, geoscientists, engineers-in-training, and geoscientists-in-training registered.
Our registrants work in more than 30 different engineering/geoscience disciplines – from designing and creating energy-efficient buildings and faster computers to ensuring New Brunswickers have access to clean drinking water and have safe and responsible mining practices.
183 Hanwell Road
Fredericton NB E3B 2R2
CANADA
Tel: 506.458.8083
Fax: 506.451.9629
Protecting the Public
APEGNB protects and serves the public interest by:
- Ensuring all licensed professional engineers and geoscientists are qualified;
- Disciplining professional engineers and geoscientists found guilty of professional misconduct or incompetence;
- Taking action against unlicensed individuals or entities who illegally describe themselves as engineers or geoscientists or provide these services;
- Preparing performance standards in regulation.
Governance
APEGNB is governed by the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act. The Act gives the Association the right to:
- Regulate the practice of engineering and geoscience, and to govern these professions in accordance with the Act and By-Laws;
- Establish and maintain standards of knowledge and skill among its members;
- Establish and maintain standards of professional ethics among its members, in order that the public interest may be served and protected.
https://www.apegnb.com/about-us/our-team/
Lia Daborn, CAE
CEO & Regsitrar, APEGNB
Marie-Claude Doucet, LLB, MBA
public representative
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-claude-doucet-ll-b-mba-40209028a/
Long-time lawyer appointed as provincial court judge
A long-time New Brunswick lawyer is the latest judge to be named to the provincial court.
Lyne Raymond, who was called to the bar in 1995 and has been practising with the firm Humphrey Raymond in Campbellton, has been appointed as a sitting provincial court judge in Fredericton, the province announced Wednesday.
“The judiciary and the people of New Brunswick will benefit from her expertise and professionalism,” Justice Minister Ted Flemming said in a news release announcing the appointment.
According to the province’s bio, Raymond graduated from the Université de Montréal with a bachelor of laws (civil law) in 1992 and from the Université de Moncton with a bachelor of laws (common law) in 1994.
She is a member of the insurance management committee of the Law Society of New Brunswick, and has served as chairperson of the Criminal Code Review Board since 2019.
The appointment brings the number full-time provincial court judges to 25, including the chief judge and the associate chief judge, the province said.
About Engineers Canada
Engineers Canada upholds the honour, integrity, and interests of the engineering profession by supporting consistent high standards in the regulation of engineering, encouraging the growth of the profession in Canada, and inspiring public confidence. For over 80 years, we have worked on behalf of the provincial and territorial associations that regulate engineering practice and license the country’s 300,000 members of the engineering profession.
Our work is focussed on 10 core purposes, as established by Engineers Canada’s members, the engineering regulators:
- Accrediting undergraduate engineering programs.
- Facilitating and fostering working relationships between and among the regulators.
- Providing services and tools that enable the assessment of engineering qualifications, foster excellence in engineering practice and regulation, and facilitate mobility of practitioners within Canada.
- Offering national programs.
- Advocating to the federal government.
- Actively monitoring, researching, and advising on changes and advances that impact the Canadian regulatory environment and the engineering profession.
- Managing risks and opportunities associated with mobility of work and practitioners internationally.
- Fostering recognition of the value and contribution of the profession to society and sparking interest in the next generation of professionals.
- Promoting diversity and inclusivity in the profession that reflects Canadian society.
- Protecting any word(s), mark, design, slogan, or logo, or any literary, or other work, as the case may be, pertaining to the engineering profession or to its objects.
Our culture and values
Engineers Canada has been selected as a National Capital Region Top Employer since 2017, while in 2021 the organization earned a gold certification against the Excellence Canada framework for Excellence, Innovation, and Wellness. Part of this journey to excellence was an organization-wide collaboration on six defining values:
- We take pride in creating a culture of teamwork and wellness.
- We earn credibility through high-quality work.
- We foster new ideas and embrace creative approaches.
- We are transparent and accountable.
- We create and sustain trusting relationships.
- We rely on diverse people and perspectives to enrich our work.
These values weave through all aspects of our work and workplace culture, creating a trusting, open place where each person can contribute and thrive.
History of the organization
The first steps towards establishing a legal status for the profession of engineering began in the late 19th century. By 1930, eight provinces had legislation in place to regulate the practice of engineering. However, each Act showed considerable variation; after a few years the profession began discussing how they could be brought into greater harmony. After much discussion between the provincial regulators, eventually a constitution was agreed upon, and in 1936, Engineers Canada was created—known at the time as the Dominion Council of Professional Engineers. The organization was originally founded by Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. In subsequent years, the remaining provinces and territories joined the organization, with the most recent addition of Nunavut in 2008.
1896: First act to regulate the practice of engineering passes in Manitoba
1920: The first provincial regulatory bodies form: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Quebec
1922: Ontario provincial regulatory body forms
1930: Saskatchewan provincial regulatory body forms
1936: Dominion Council of Professional Engineers forms
1952: Newfoundland and Labrador provincial regulatory body forms
1955: PEI provincial regulatory body forms
1956: Yukon territorial regulatory body forms
1959: The Dominion changes its name to Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (C.C.P.E.)
1969: Northwest Territories territorial regulatory body forms
2007: CCPE becomes known as Engineers Canada
2008: The Engineers and Geoscientists Act is enacted in Nunavut
As the organization has evolved over time, it has undergone two name changes. In 1959, it became known as the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (C.C.P.E.), and in 2007, it took its current name, Engineers Canada.
Daily Media Report recap: June 7-June 20, 2024
Published June 20, 2024
Committee Members
Lia Daborn
Chair
DS (Pal) Mann
Vice-Chair
Patrick Savard
Member
Michael Gregoire
Member
Mark Fewer
Member
Stormy Holmes
Member
Kimberley King
Member
Jim Landrigan
Member
Vince McCormick
Member
Jay Nagendran
Member
Jennifer Quaglietta
Member
Heidi Yang
Member
Staff Support
Gerard McDonald
CEO
55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300,
Ottawa, ON K1P 6L5
After five years as Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Canada, Gerard McDonald, MBA, P.Eng., ICD.D, has announced that he will be retiring as of June 28, 2024.
“It has been an incredible privilege to serve as the CEO of Engineers Canada,” said McDonald. “I have had the honour of working with amazing colleagues and partners, all dedicated to advancing Canadian engineering through national collaboration. I am proud of what has been accomplished by this federation and am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to lead this organization.”
McDonald joined Engineers Canada in 2018, and in that time has focused extensively on working with the Board to strengthen strategic and governance processes.
“Gerard has been a visionary leader for Engineers Canada,” said Nancy Hill, B.A.Sc., LL.B., FCAE, FEC, P. Eng., President of Engineers Canada. “His dedication and commitment to collaboration alongside his genuine passion for the engineering profession have been an inspiration. On behalf of the Board of Engineers Canada, I thank him for his remarkable service and wish him the very best in his retirement.”
Prior to his time at Engineers Canada, McDonald was Registrar at Professional Engineers Ontario. He joined the regulator after over thirty years in public service roles primarily within the country’s transportation sector. This includes roles as assistant deputy minister, safety and security, at Transport Canada, and executive director of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
As Engineers Canada bids farewell, the organization is looking ahead. The Board of Directors will undertake a comprehensive search for a new CEO with more details to come.
https://www.apega.ca/news/2023/12/08/engineers-canada-ceo-announces-retirementEngineers Canada CEO Announces Retirement
After five years serving the engineering profession as CEO of Engineers Canada, Gerard McDonald, P.Eng., MBA, ICD.D, has announced he will retire on June 28, 2024. During his tenure, he has focused extensively on strengthening strategic and governance processes.
“I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. McDonald on his upcoming retirement,” said Jay Nagendran, P.Eng., APEGA’s registrar and chief executive officer. “His leadership at Engineers Canada has been valued and appreciated. We are truly grateful for his support and spirit of co-operation with APEGA and all engineering regulators across Canada in furthering our mutual goals to benefit the engineering profession.”
The continued collaboration between APEGA and Engineers Canada facilitates the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and resources between the two organizations, fostering a stronger and more unified approach to advancing the engineering profession. Shared initiatives, such as the 30-by-30 goal of having women compose 30 per cent of professional registrants in engineering by 2030, address common challenges and lead to more effective solutions and improved industry practices.
McDonald joined Engineers Canada after a four-year stretch as registrar of Professional Engineers Ontario and more than 30 years in public service roles, primarily within Canada’s transportation sector. During that time, he held roles such as the assistant deputy minister of safety and security at Transport Canada and the executive director of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
“It has been a pleasure working with Mr. McDonald these past few years, and his legacy will undoubtedly inspire those who will follow in his footsteps,” added Nagendran.
Engineers Canada names Philip Rizcallah as Chief Executive Officer
Published May 17, 2024
President Nancy Hill, B.A.Sc., LL.B., FCAE, FEC, P. Eng., and the Board of Engineers Canada are pleased to announce the appointment of Philip Rizcallah, P.Eng., as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective August 6, 2024. Rizcallah succeeds Gerard McDonald, MBA, P.Eng., ICD.D, who will be retiring after six years of service to the association.
Rizcallah has been a transformative voice in the public service for over three decades. Most recently he served as Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Head of Accessibility Standards Canada, and prior to that led teams at the National Research Council of Canada as both Program Director and Director for the Building Regulations Resource Unit.
“The Board is excited about the energy and enthusiasm Philip brings to Engineers Canada,” says Hill. “He’s demonstrated a superior ability to build relationships, and I know his strategic mindset will be an important asset as we move into our 2025-2029 strategic plan.”
“I’m very excited to join the Engineers Canada team,” says Rizcallah. “The organization is a leading voice for the profession in Canada, and they’re an example for how collaboration is central to ensuring engineering continues to tackle the most challenging problems facing Canada and the world.”
Licensed as an engineer in the province of Ontario, Rizcallah holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia and a Bachelor of Science, Honours Mathematics from Dalhousie University.
The selection comes after a diligent search process led by the Board’s Search Committee with the support of an executive recruitment firm.
Engineers Canada’s vision is to advance Canadian engineering through national collaboration. On behalf of Canada’s engineering regulators, we provide expertise, services, and tools to help shape the direction and growth of the engineering profession in Canada, to establish consistent high standards, and to inspire public confidence.
For more information, contact:
Brent GibsonManager, Communications
Engineers Canada
brent.gibson@engineerscanada.ca
613.232.2474 x234
Conservation Council criticized for political activity
The New Brunswick Conservation Council is getting a black eye from an organization called Charity Watch.
The Toronto-based group claims to have told Revenue Canada the Council spends too much money on political activity and should be audited. But questions are being raised about who is making the accusations.
The Council has been around for 30 years. It takes public stands on environmental issues.
Lia Daborn is the executive director, one of three full time employees. She got a phone call from a reporter at a New Brunswick newspaper, who in turn had been called by George Barkhouse, director of an outfit called Charity Watch.
Barkhouse claimed the Conservation Council spends too much money on political activities.
He says he alerted Revenue Canada to audit whether the council has violated the limit on lobbying allowed by a charitable tax status.
Daborn says the Council is acting as it should. "We're not doing anything outside what Revenue Canada believes is acceptable."
Daborn says most of the council's political work involves day-to-day business with government and the public on environmental issues.
"When we spoke to our auditor he said these activities would have been something that we would have doing anyway in the course of our work."
Revenue Canada confirms that Charity Watch is registered as a charity. It lists a street address in Toronto but no phone number.
Revenue Canada can't talk about whether Charity Watch called about the Conservation Council but CBC News found a reference to Charity Watch on the website of another environmental group in Toronto.
Members of a newly-formed political action group called EnvironmentVoter claims Barkhouse has been making harassing phone calls to them, and leaving "threatening messages."
This group's web page describes Barkhouse as a "notorious right wing zealot."
One of the group's directors said in a phone interview that in March, she filed a formal complaint against Barkhouse with the Toronto Police Hate Crimes unit.
Board Governance
Board Members
Although the Board was created by government, it was established to be an independent body, operating as an administrative tribunal, separate from government. The Board’s activities are reported through a separately published annual report and the Board appears before the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Crown Corporations to answer any questions that MLAs may have.
The Board consists of a Chair, Vice-Chair and 8-10 members. The membership of the Board consists of a cross-section of New Brunswick citizens from various regions of the province and with a wide ranging variety of backgrounds. Board members, including the Vice-Chair are appointed for three-year terms and can be reappointed. The Chair is appointed to a non-renewable ten-year term.
Marie-Claude Doucet, Dieppe
Chair
Prior to her appointment to the Board, Ms. Doucet practiced law with Bossé Viola LeBlanc, where she focused her practice in civil litigation, specifically in insurance law.
Ms. Doucet is a member of multiple associations, including the Law Society of New Brunswick, the Canadian Bar Association, the Moncton Area Lawyers Association, the Association des juristes d’expression française du Nouveau-Brunswick, the Foundation of Administrative Justice and the Council of Canadian Administrative Tribunals. Ms. Doucet is also a Member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Automobile Insurance Rate Regulators Association.
Marven Grant, Fredericton
Vice-Chair
He is married to Cheryl and has (3) adult children and (1) granddaughter.
Life motto: A steadfast adherence to moral and ethical principles and values.
Mr. Grant has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2019 and had also served as a Board member from 2013 to 2016.
Ferne Ashford, Fredericton
Ms. Ashford is the owner/operator of Ashford Law and Dispute Resolution located in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She has been practicing law for over 25 years in the areas of family law, real estate, and wills and estates. On November 29th, 2021, Ms. Ashford received her designation as King's Counsel, an honorary designation given to lawyers who have demonstrated outstanding practice, shown integrity and leadership, and made contributions to excellence in the profession. She has been a volunteer in the legal community throughout her career and is currently the Chairperson of the Lawyers Assistance Program Committee, a Member of the Law Society of New Brunswick, and the Canadian Bar Association.
Ms. Ashford has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2019 and had also served as a Board member from 2006 to 2016.
Carol Dixon, Quispamsis
Ms. Dixon worked in the private sector as Controller/Financial Manager of various companies in Saint John before taking a position with the Provincial Government in Fredericton to work in various areas of Economic Development.
Ms. Dixon is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of New Brunswick, UNB Alumni, and continues to do contract work in financial accounting. She is also the Atlantic Education International Homestay coordinator for Rothesay High School, a former member of the New Brunswick Forest Products Commission, UNB Alumnae Board member, Toastmasters Area Governor, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fredericton Board member, Homestay parent, a member of the Saint John Board of Trade, and has held many other volunteer positions.
Hobbies that she enjoys with her husband, John, include photography, travel, painting, pets and doing ATV trails.
Ms. Dixon has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2022.
Cyril Johnston, Moncton
Mr. Johnston is active in theatre, both as an actor and producer, and is the founder and President of Roundhouse Productions. He is an avid salmon fisherman and a member of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Salmon Federation.
Mr. Johnston has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2020.
Francine Kanhai, Saint-André
Mrs. Kanhai is a dedicated volunteer for various organizations. She served as a director on the Grand Falls Chamber of Commerce and is currently a Board Member of the CBDC Victoria Madawaska South. She is also a member of the Women in Business Network Association.
She enjoys travelling and golfing in her leisure time.
Mrs. Kanhai has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2022 and had also served previous terms from 2007 to 2014 and 2015 to 2021.
Georges Leger, Shediac
Mr. Leger has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2019 and had also served as a Board member from 2010 to 2017.
Brigitte M. Ouellette, Grand Falls
Ms. Ouellette lives in Grand Falls with her husband, Claude.
Ms. Ouellette has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2020.
Gerry Peters, Fredericton
As a management consultant for more than 20 years, he has facilitated numerous strategic, business and financial plans for both the for-profit and the not-for-profit sectors. Currently, he is one of two people in New Brunswick who is qualified to provide services under the Federal Government’s Farm Debt Mediation Service (FDMS) program.
Recreationally, he enjoys boating, hiking, and competitive running. Just before Covid-19 set in, Gerry and his wife, Debbie, completed a three-day hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back.
Mr. Peters has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2023.
Heather Stephen, Saint John
Mrs. Stephen is actively involved with the Parent School Support Committees at her childrens' school, as well as volunteering her time with numerous other sports and community organizations.
Mrs. Stephen enjoys reading, sketching, painting, hiking, and travelling. She resides in Saint John with her husband, Jason, their two children, and their miniature goldendoodle.
Mrs. Stephen has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2013.
Elizabeth Turgeon, Fredericton
Ms. Turgeon also has alternate dispute resolution training, having completed a Practitioners’ Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2014 and a Third Party Neutral Certificate in mediation and facilitation from UNB in 2012. She acted as a Small Claims Adjudicator for the New Brunswick Department of Justice from 2012 to 2017.
Ms. Turgeon resides in Fredericton with her husband, James. She has three adult children and seven grandchildren, who also reside in Fredericton. She is very interested in New Brunswick being an affordable place to live and raise families.
Ms. Turgeon has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since Oct 2016.
From: LeBlanc, Dominic - député <dominic.leblanc@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Tue, Jul 2, 2024 at 2:52 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: I just called and tried to speak with Marie-Claude Doucet Correct?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
(English follows)
Bonjour,
Nous
accusons réception de votre courriel adressé à L’honorable Dominic
LeBlanc, cp, cr, député de Beauséjour et nous vous en remercions.
Veuillez noter que nous recevons actuellement un volume élevé de correspondances. Veuillez prévoir un délai dans nos réponses.
En ce qui concerne les courriels relativement à des enjeux particuliers de nos commettants de Beauséjour, nous allons nous assurer de bien réviser votre message et un employé de notre bureau de circonscription communiquera avec vous si nécessaire. Si vous avez des questions ou vous désirez des clarifications, vous pouvez toujours communiquer avec notre bureau au numéro de téléphone suivant : (506) 533-5700.
Si vous écrivez à propos de sujets relatifs aux fonctions de sécurité publique du
ministre LeBlanc, veuillez communiquer avec notre département de Sécurité publique à ps.ministerofpublicsafety-
Pour toutes demandes des médias, veuillez contacter Kelly Ouimet à Kelly.Ouimet@iga-aig.gc.ca
Merci et bonne journée.
Bureau de L’hon. Dominic LeBlanc, cp, cr, député
Député de Beauséjour
------------------------------
Hello,
We acknowledge receipt and thank you for your email addressed to the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., K.C., M.P. for Beauséjour.
Please note that we are currently receiving a high volume of correspondence. This may mean a delay in our responding to you.
For emails related to specific issues from our constituents in Beauséjour, we will make sure to review your message and an employee from our constituency office will be in contact with you if necessary. If you have any questions or require clarification, you can always contact our office at the following phone number: (506) 533-5700.
If you are writing with respect to Minister LeBlanc's public safety duties, please
direct your correspondence to our Public Safety department at ps.ministerofpublicsafety-
Thank you and have a good day.
Office of the Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., K.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Beauséjour
From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada <mcu@justice.gc.ca>
Date: Tue, Jul 2, 2024 at 2:52 PM
Subject: Automatic Reply
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing to the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed.
We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.
-------------------
Merci d'avoir écrit à l'honorable Arif Virani, ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada.
En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez
prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de
votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu
avec soin.
Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 2, 2024 at 2:51 PM
Subject: I just called and tried to speak with Marie-Claude Doucet Correct?
To: <info@nbib-canb.org>, kris.austin <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, blaine.higgs <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, hugh.flemming <hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>, robert.mckee <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, dominic.leblanc <dominic.leblanc@parl.gc.ca>, Frank.McKenna <Frank.McKenna@td.com>
Remember me now???https://www.nbib-canb.org/ |
|
|---|---|
| Marie-Claude Doucet | Chair and Chief Executive Officer |
| Kelly Ferris | Executive Advisor and Secretary to the Board |
Insurance Filings |
|
|---|---|
| Tessa Stright | Manager of Insurance Services and Assistant Secretary to the Board |
| Christine Bullock | Rate Analyst |
| Brenda Cummings | Rate Analyst |
| Tracy Cyr | Rate Analyst |
Finance and Administration |
|
|---|---|
| Trudy Hall | Manager of Finance & Administration |
| Linda MacMorrough | Payroll and Office Administrator |
| Stephen Boyer | Information Technology Manager |
| Jared Henderson | Junior Information Technology Administrator |
|
New Brunswick Insurance Board
15 Market Square, Suite 601
Saint John, New Brunswick
E2L 1E8 Reception:(506) 643-7710
Toll Free:1-866-876-9666
General Inquiries:info@nbib-canb.org
Filing Inquiries:filings@nbib-canb.
Website:www.nbib-canb.org | |
New Brunswick Insurance Board
To make a freedom of information request to New Brunswick Insurance Board contact:
Kevin Duff
Saint John Mercantile Centre
55 Union Street
Saint John, NB E2L 5B7
Phone: (506) 643-7710
Fax: (506) 652-5011
Email: Kevin.Duff@nbib-canb.org
Tenants of new Miramichi building frustrated by cracking walls, power outages
Landlord says company is working to address the problems
Tenants living in a new affordable-housing building in Miramichi, N.B., say they are frustrated with walls cracking, electrical and snow-clearing problems, and how those issues have been addressed.
Melonie Rutland moved into 2108 Water St. after she was offered a unit in the building in November through the local women's shelter.
"I was promised happiness and to treat it like it would be my own home," she said.
The 20-unit building partnered with Miramichi Housing Solutions, the Miramichi Transition House and the Miramichi Regional Multicultural Association. More than half the units are designated for rent supplements, with some of the units aimed at women and children facing domestic violence or at risk of homelessness. The project finished up in the fall and opened to tenants last November.
The supplemented units were to be considered third-stage housing, meaning tenants could stay long term.
Rutland said she started experiencing issues in December when she noticed cracks forming on the walls and ceiling.
Rutland
took several photos of cracks in the hallways of the third floor and in
the second floor stairwell. The company that owns the building says the
cracks did not compromise the structural integrity of the building. (Submitted by Melonie Rutland)
In an interview, Blair Martin, the president of Belleterre Community Partners, which owns the building, said the cracks occurred when the roof trusses moved during the winter freeze-and-thaw cycles.
He said work to repair the cracks couldn't be done in the winter and the work could wait since the issue didn't affect the structural integrity of the building.
Belleterre is working on a second building on the same street that will also have supplemented units, and he said the trusses have been redesigned to make sure the cracks don't happen with that project.
"These are problems that happen in all buildings, all new buildings, new homes, new apartments," he said. "It's just the way things are in the construction business, and you expect them to happen."
Shannon Camilleri, who lives in a subsidized accessible unit through Miramichi Housing Solutions, said her issues also began in December when she voiced her concern about ice in the driveway. As an amputee who is currently using crutches, she said she contacted the property manager about the problem but didn't get anywhere.
Martin said the company subcontracts the clearing of the parking lot and they usually won't come until the snow is finished falling. The subcontractors don't prioritize what building they go to first after a snow event, he added.
Extended power outages
Rutland and Camilleri also said a power outage over a month ago left them without power for days.
Rutland said her food spoiled during that period, and there have since been more outages. She said the first gift card for food came a few weeks after the outage.
Belleterre
Community Partners president Blair Martin said workers have been in the
building trying to troubleshoot the electrical issues. (Submitted by Blair Martin)
Martin said electricians replaced the main breaker in the building after a subsequent outage five days ago. But after another outage on Wednesday night, he said electricians believed the issue was related to the N.B. Power line spiking and tripping the breaker.
Rutland said Belleterre Community Partners offered food gift cards to tenants after the outages, but she called it a "Band Aid solution" and said that some of the food tenants purchased the other day would have gone bad during the second outage of the week.
Martin said N.B. Power was on site on Thursday to look at the issue but he understands why tenants are frustrated.
"Water is easy. You can see water dripping and fix that problem," he said. "Electrical, it's a lot more complicated in trying to figure out why something isn't operating properly.
Shannon
Camilleri, seen speaking at a Coldest Night of the Year event, says she
wants to speak out about her experiences in the building because other
tenants might be going through similar problems. (Submitted by Shannon Camilleri)
"I understand the frustration, I accept the frustration … but there has to be an allowance somewhere from everyone involved to say, 'look, this doesn't happen overnight in terms of solving the problem, and we're trying to deal with the frustration.'"
Martin also said that even though Belleterre is a non-profit that builds affordable housing, they are also landlords. He called the situation a "typical tenant-landlord relationship."
CBC News requested an interview with Housing Minister Jill Green, but a spokesperson said she wasn't available. In an emailed statement, the spokesperson said "any tenant experiencing issues with the health and safety of their housing are encouraged to contact the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office directly to discuss their options."
Patricia Michaud, the executive director of the Miramichi Transition House, which recommended tenants for the units designated for families facing domestic violence, said she has heard from an outreach worker about the issues tenants are facing.
Although she said she isn't involved with the maintenance or ownership of the building, the organization has tried to help with grocery cards.
"It's a really hard situation because I don't want to lose those units, but I don't want to see tenants suffering … and having a hard time with not having electricity and so on," she said.
Mat Rouleau, the building's property manager, said he would be talking to tenants, and that he tries to be clear with them about whether fixing an issue is within his control.
"I'm going to take the time to listen and make sure that we, as much as we can, sort of do the work we need to do to … not just resolve this issue, but make sure that we let them know that we're taking it seriously," he said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
> > > > From: "McKnight, Gisele" McKnight.Gisele@kingscorecord.com
> > > > To: lcampenella@ledger.com
> > > > Cc:motomaniac_02186@hotmail.com
> > > Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 2:53 PM
> > > > Subject: David Amos
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Hello Lisa,
> > > > > David Amos asked me to contact you. I met him last June after he
> > became
> > > an
> > > > > independent (not representing any political party) candidate in our
> > > > federal
> > > > > election that was held June 28.
> > > > >
> > > > > He was a candidate in our constituency of Fundy (now called
> > > Fundy-Royal).
> > > > I
> > > > > wrote a profile story about him, as I did all other candidates. That
> > > story
> > > > > appeared in the Kings County Record June 22. A second story, written
> > by
> > > > one
> > > > > of my reporters, appeared on the same date, which was a report on
> the
> > > > > candidates' debate held June 18.
> > > > >
> > > > > As I recall David Amos came last of four candidates in the election.
> > The
> > > > > winner got 14,997 votes, while Amos got 358.
> > > > >
> > > > > I have attached the two stories that appeared, as well as a photo
> > taken
> > > by
> > > > > reporter Erin Hatfield during the debate. I couldn't find the photo
> > that
> > > > > ran, but this one is very similar.
> > > > >
> > > > > Gisele McKnight
> > > > > editor A1-debate A1-amos,David for MP 24.doc debate
2.JPG
> > > > > Kings County Record
> > > > > Sussex, New Brunswick
> > > > > Canada
> > > > > 506-433-1070
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
Raising a Little Hell- Lively Debate Provokes Crowd
By Erin Hatfield
"If you don't like what you got, why don't you change it? If your world is all screwed up, rearrange it."
The 1979 Trooper song Raise a Little Hell blared on the speakers at the 8th Hussars Sports Center Friday evening as people filed in to watch the Fundy candidates debate the issues. It was an accurate, if unofficial, theme song for the debate.
The crowd of over 200 spectators was dwarfed by the huge arena, but as they chose their seats, it was clear the battle lines were drawn. Supporters of Conservative candidate Rob Moore naturally took the blue chairs on the right of the rink floor while John Herron's Liberalswent left. There were splashes of orange, supporters of NDP Pat Hanratty, mixed throughout. Perhaps the loudest applause came from a row towards the back, where supporters of independent candidate David Amos sat.
The debate was moderated by Leo Melanson of CJCW Radio and was organized by the Sussex Valley Jaycees. Candidates wereasked a barrage of questions bypanelists Gisele McKnight of the Kings County Record and Lisa Spencer of CJCW.
Staying true to party platforms for the most part, candidates responded to questions about the gun registry, same sex marriage, the exodus of young people from the Maritimes and regulated gas prices. Herron and Moore were clear competitors,constantly challenging each other on their answers and criticizing eachothers’ party leaders. Hanratty flew under the radar, giving short, concise responses to the questions while Amos provided some food for thought and a bit of comic relief with quirky answers. "I was raised with a gun," Amos said in response to the question of thenational gun registry. "Nobody's getting mine and I'm not paying 10 cents for it."
Herron, a Progressive Conservative MP turned Liberal, veered from his party'splatform with regard to gun control. "It was ill advised but well intentioned," Herron said. "No matter what side of the house I am on, I'm voting against it." Pat Hanratty agreed there were better places for the gun registry dollars to be spent.Recreational hunters shouldn't have been penalized by this gun registry," he said.
The gun registry issues provoked the tempers of Herron and Moore. At one point Herron got out of his seat and threw a piece of paper in front of Moore. "Read that," Herron said to Moore, referring to the voting record of Conservative Party leader Steven Harper. According to Herron, Harper voted in favour of the registry on the first and second readings of the bill in 1995. "He voted against it when it counted, at final count," Moore said. "We needa government with courage to register sex offenders rather than register the property of law abiding citizens."
The crowd was vocal throughout the evening, with white haired men and women heckling from the Conservative side. "Shut up John," one woman yelled. "How can you talk about selling out?" a man yelled whenHerron spoke about his fear that the Conservatives are selling farmers out.
Although the Liberal side was less vocal, Kings East MLA Leroy Armstrong weighed in at one point. "You’re out of touch," Armstrong yelled to Moore from the crowd when the debate turned to the cost of post-secondary education. Later in the evening Amos challenged Armstrong to a public debate of their own. "Talk is cheap. Any time, anyplace," Armstrong responded.
As the crowd made its way out of the building following the debate, candidates worked the room. They shook hands with well-wishers and fielded questions from spectators-all part of the decision-making process for the June 28 vote.
Cutline – David Amos, independent candidate in Fundy, with some of his favourite possessions—motorcycles.
McKnight/KCR
The Unconventional Candidate
David Amos Isn’t Campaigning For Your Vote, But….
By Gisele McKnight
FUNDY—He has a pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket, a chain on his wallet, a beard at least a foot long, 60 motorcycles and a cell phone that rings to the tune of "Yankee Doodle."
Meet the latest addition to the Fundy ballot—David Amos.
The independent candidate lives in Milton, Massachusetts with his wife and two children, but his place of residence does not stop him from running for office in Canada.
One has only to be at least 18, a Canadian citizen and not be in jail to meet Elections Canada requirements.
When it came time to launch his political crusade, Amos chose his favourite place to do so—Fundy.
Amos, 52, is running for political office because of his dissatisfaction with politicians.
"I’ve become aware of much corruption involving our two countries," he said. "The only way to fix corruption is in the political forum."
The journey that eventually led Amos to politics began in Sussex in 1987. He woke up one morning disillusioned with life and decided he needed to change his life.
"I lost my faith in mankind," he said. "People go through that sometimes in midlife."
So Amos, who’d lived in Sussex since 1973, closed his Four Corners motorcycle shop, paid his bills and hit the road with Annie, his 1952 Panhead motorcycle.
"Annie and I rode around for awhile (three years, to be exact) experiencing the milk of human kindness," he said. "This is how you renew your faith in mankind – you help anyone you can, you never ask for anything, but you take what they offer."
For those three years, they offered food, a place to sleep, odd jobs and conversation all over North America.
Since he and Annie stopped wandering, he has married, fathered a son and a daughter and become a house-husband – Mr. Mom, as he calls himself.
He also describes himself in far more colourful terms—a motorcyclist rather than a biker, a "fun-loving, free-thinking, pig-headed individual," a "pissed-off Maritimer" rather than an activist, a proud Canadian and a "wild colonial boy."
Ironically, the man who is running for office has never voted in his life.
"But I have no right to criticize unless I offer my name," he said. "It’s alright to bitch in the kitchen, but can you walk the walk?"
Amos has no intention of actively campaigning.
"I didn’t appreciate it when they (politicians) pounded on my door interrupting my dinner," he said. "If people are interested, they can call me. I’m not going to drive my opinions down their throats."
And he has no campaign budget, nor does he want one.
"I won’t take any donations," he said. "Just try to give me some. It’s not about money. It goes against what I’m fighting about."
What he’s fighting for is the discussion of issues – tainted blood, the exploitation of the Maritimes’ gas and oil reserves and NAFTA, to name a few.
"The political issues in the Maritimes involve the three Fs – fishing, farming and forestry, but they forget foreign issues," he said. "I’m death on NAFTA, the back room deals and free trade. I say chuck it (NAFTA) out the window.
NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement which allows an easier flow of goods between Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Amos disagrees with the idea that a vote for him is a wasted vote.
"There are no wasted votes," he said. "I want people like me, especially young people, to pay attention and exercise their right. Don’t necessarily vote for me, but vote."
Although…if you’re going to vote anyway, Amos would be happy to have your X by his name.
"I want people to go into that voting booth, see my name, laugh and say, ‘what the hell.’"
Lia Daborn
Executive Director, New Brunswick Dental Society
Lia Daborn is an Association Executive who 'fell into' the sector after completing a Masters in Environmental Studies. That degree brought her to New Brunswick where she accepted her first full-time job as the Executive Director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick at age 26! She learned on the job and translated those skills into employment with professional associations including the Canadian Bar Association and the New Brunswick Dental Society. Lia served as the Atlantic representative on the board of the Canadian Society of Association Executives for a period of eight years, recently completing her term as Past Chair. She has also served on the board of the Fredericton region Habitat for Humanity. In addition to her full-time job, Lia acts as the New Brunswick representative for the Opimian Society, Canada's largest non-profit wine-buying club. In her spare time she bakes, cooks, plays with her camera, reads and drinks wine!
What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
My recent experience as Chair of a National Association (Canadian Society of Association Executives)
What's your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
Our greatest opportunity is a focus on continued growth, particularly taking advantage of the natural beauty that surrounds us, the inspiring people who live here and encouraging their development and promotion within the region.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
Assuming the role as Board Chair of a national organization pushed me outside of my comfort zone in a great way. It was a challenge I had set for myself without really thinking it through in the way I would normally have done - and it meant I had to stretch in ways I would never have done had I taken the time to talk myself out of the job. I was "too young", "too inexperienced", "lacking connections" and "too shy". Chairing a national board provided me the opportunity to learn so many new skills and to realize that I can do things and sometimes need to not think it through, but "leap" instead. That can be really uncomfortable - but so worth it in the end!
What's your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?
I have many favorite authors - what links many of them is that they write in a beautiful way that is almost poetic, but provides you with a true picture of what they are trying to say. My choice in the moment depends on my mood.
What's your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
That I do have the ability to lead others, and have a presence that others will look to and follow, provided my message resonates. I have always been shy and despised public speaking. I have tried Toastmasters and other speaking programs, to feel more comfortable in front of a crowd. Little works as well as the experience itself, and having had to speak to rooms of 500 - 600 people over the past three years has meant a lot of growth in this area! At the most recent conference where I presented Committee reports, more than one person commented afterwards that I had "come a long way" and it is true. All of that has helped to build my confidence although I will still continue to have those butterflies every time I have to walk up on stage!
Who's inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?
The former Chief Justice Beverly McLaughlin has always impressed me – she is extremely well spoken and carries herself in such a way that inspired respect. Her presentations are well reasoned and informed, and delivered in a calm manner. I would love to have that outward calm appearance when speaking to a roomful of people
What would you have done differently?
My career has taken a winding path to lead me to where I am today, but looking back, there is not much I would change. I recognize that I am doing what I am meant to do - working in the Association world, and I know that I am good at it. It suits my personality and my skills.
What motivated you to make the choices you've made? What are the principles you live by?
My motivations were encouraged through one of those "professional / personal development" programs that forces you to set goals and write them down. It is true: once you write things down and envision attaining them, it sets you on a path that means once opportunity presents itself, you can't do anything but say "yes". Becoming chair of CSAE was one goal, set a number of years ago. I also wanted to become a sommelier - and am currently working towards that certificate as well as now acting as a representative for the Opimian Society. Knowing these goals were important to me allowed me to welcome potential opportunities to advance along and get one step closer to accomplishing them. I need to set more goals for myself and keep focused on them in order to keep moving forward.
--
Association Executive, Wine Lover (and Wine Rep!), baking queen
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