February 2007 ISSUE
APEGGA's New Minister
Likes Regulatory Proposal
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THE HON. IRIS EVANS |
As ASET and APEGGA look at a new regulatory framework, changes are taking place at the government level. The Hon. Iris Evans has been named the Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry in Premier Ed Stelmach’s first Cabinet, which means she’s the minister responsible for APEGGA’s governing legislation, the Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act.
Ms. Evans, a veteran Alberta politician and Cabinet minister first elected as an MLA in 1997, looks forward to working with APEGGA. She characterizes the Association as a leader in professional self-regulation across Canada. “Just think what we can do and what the future will look like as we work together,” she said.
Ms. Evans, who replaces Mike Cardinal as the Association’s minister, said she is happy the two groups have reached a memorandum of understanding for the proposed One Act, Two Associations system. The system, if it succeeds, will allow the groups to work together and become more efficient, she said.
“I’d like to congratulate ASET and APEGGA for what they’ve accomplished so far, in coming up with this framework. It is no small feat.”
Ms. Evans praised APEGGA for its work developing practice standards and offering high-quality professional development for members. She also said the Association is vitally important in keeping industry and the public informed about the role of the professions, and in driving the economy.
The Association is well placed to help society develop new research and technology, and regulate new areas of science as established disciplines blend and new ones emerge, she said. She also praised APEGGA and the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers for their work in improving the lot of internationally educated graduates who seek professional designations.
In her third term in provincial government, Ms. Evans has been Minister of Health and Wellness, and Minister of Municipal Affairs. She was also the first-ever Minister of Children’s Services.
Once again, she’s christening a new ministry, and it’s a challenge
she’s happy with.
Ms. Evans says Premier Stelmach has shown great vision in creating a super ministry
that links employment, immigration and industry to the economic development of
the province. The areas of responsibility belong together, and other provinces
are taking notice.
“It’s a great time to be involved in these areas, and I’m very
excited about it,” Ms. Evans said.
She brings to the table a thick political resumé. She’s a former
municipal councillor, a former reeve, a former hospital board chair and a former
school board trustee. She also served as president the Alberta School Trustees
Assoc-iation (now the Alberta School Boards Association).
A resident of Sherwood Park, Ms. Evans is active in the community. She has three sons, and she calls her five grandchildren the joys of her life.