Candidate for Councillor: Jason Vanderzwaag, P.Eng.
Candidate Overview
- Civil engineer with nearly 25 years of experience, focused on community infrastructure and development, project management, technical leadership and mentorship.
- Team leader for disaster response and recovery following the 2016 wildfire and 2020 flood in Fort McMurray; recipient of CEA and ACEC awards for recovery works.
- APEGA councillor since 2017, current Vice President, with service as Audit Committee Chair, RCEO Recruitment, Governance, Policies & Standards Committee, and Strategic Planning committees; additional APEGA experience includes Fort McMurray Branch, Legislative Renewal, and mentoring.
Personal Statement
I am a civil engineer with nearly 25 years of experience, focused on community infrastructure, project management, technical leadership and mentorship. I am the manager for Associated Engineering in Fort McMurray, where I have lived for the past 15 years. Over this time, I was twice called upon to apply my engineering and leadership skills for disaster response and recovery efforts following both the 2016 Wildfire, and the 2020 flood. In addition to receiving awards from CEA and ACEC, this work highlighted the critical role that engineers play in safeguarding our communities.
As an APEGA councillor for the past 8 years, I have served on various committees; I am the current Vice President and have sat on multiple committees, including the RCEO recruitment, and strategic planning. My focus during this roles has been good governance and protection of the public.
I am seeking re-election to continue to serve APEGA as we address ongoing challenges and pressures that impact our professions. With new legislation, new CPD program, and new RCEO, it is important to maintain stability and consistency through these changes. I look forward to continuing to serve the professions as a Council member, and am grateful for your support.
Candidate Resume
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Get to Know the Candidate in Four Questions
What does self-regulation mean to you as a member of APEGA?
Self-regulation means that we are responsible for providing statutory oversight over ourselves and our peers. As individuals, self-regulation means we have the capacity to determine our area of professional practice, based on competency and experience. As an association, we establish the criteria for new inductees, and conduct the investigation and discipline of members that contravene our code of ethics or do not meet professional standards. This privilege of self-regulation may be threatened by government intervention or loss of public confidence in our professions.
What would you bring to Council?
I have been on Council for nine years, and have gained a tremendous appreciation for the regulatory framework within which APEGA operates. I am humbled by the insight and leadership provided by the volunteers that support APEGA’s regulatory functions, including Council and the statutory boards. I believe that I bring to APEGA Council my own leadership and critical-thinking skills, and the courage to ask tough questions.
As the regulator of engineering and geoscience, what challenges does APEGA face?
The new Professional Governance Act presents a new legislative framework within which we must operate. The ability of the organization to pivot will be a testament to the strength of the organization, its leadership, and our members. The challenge will be to maintain our regulatory excellence through this change, while responding to pressures within the industry, including artificial intelligence, increased outsourcing, and maintaining relevancy with our members.
What is the value of a professional licence with APEGA?
The value of membership in APEGA is the pride and prestige that comes with the professional engineer or geoscientist title, and the ability to sell one’s service as such. This title conveys confidence to the employer or procurer of the services through the professional standard that our members must meet. This confidence is only maintained by upholding the responsibilities and statutory obligations through self-regulation.