In 2014-2015, the ACEC-SK Board of Directors identified Advocacy as its primary Strategic Priority. This year the Board has worked earnestly on the members’ behalf to address the continuing challenges with procurement, and onerous contractual language. Also of growing concern has been Opposition and media comments regarding the disproportional increase, and the “high costs”, of consultants.

As one part of an advocacy strategy, the Board formed a Shadow Cabinet, identifying specific Cabinet Ministers whose portfolios directly relate to the consulting engineering industry. The intent of establishing a Shadow Cabinet is to maintain current and forge new relationships with Saskatchewan political leaders.  Meetings continue to be scheduled and the messages are clear: The use of consulting engineers and geoscientists is a widely accepted business delivery model that benefits the taxpayers of Saskatchewan.

The work being done by government related to procurement is important, and the recommendations reinforce our industry’s consistent message that investment and project planning, including incorporating Qualifications-Based Selection, will ultimately support the best value for taxpayers.