Transcript Slide 1

Changing Responsibilities
And Roles
for Professional Biologists
Agenda
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College of Applied Biology Overview
Working With New Legislation
Protecting Yourself
College’s Responsibility
APBBC’s Role
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Organization Overview
Practice of
Professional
Biology
College
Governance
APB
Professional
Standards
Rules
For
Admission
Sanctions
Of Conduct
and Practice
Evolution
of Practice
Advocacy
Professional
Development
For
Guidance
For Change
Profession
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RTT
Right to Title versus Right to
Practice
RTP Activity
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
exclusive use of titles set out in
enabling legislation
set standards of conduct and
competence for members
hold members to account via the
discipline processes
take action against non-members who
contravene the practice provisions
established by statute
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College Purpose – to uphold and
protect the Public Interest
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(i) preserving and protecting the scientific methods
and principles that are the foundation of the applied
biological sciences,
(ii) upholding the principles of stewardship of aquatic
and terrestrial ecosystems and biological resources, and
(iii) ensuring the integrity, objectivity and expertise
of its members
(iv) governing its members in accordance with this
Act and the rules
(v) cooperating with other bodies on matters
relevant to applied biology 1
1. The College of Applied Biology Act
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College of Applied Biology Act Why?
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Public Interest Value
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Need for Accountability
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Recognize a unique combination of knowledge and
skills
Ensuring members are bound by high standards of
conduct and competence
Practice Reviews and Audits
Discipline Procedures
Performance Based Legislation - eg.
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MSR and FRPA
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Performance Based Regulations
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“A management approach where roles
and accountabilities are defined to reduce
the amount of government
intervention and give the regulated
sector more flexibility and
responsibility on how to achieve
objectives, and where the focus is on
performance, not process.” 2
2. Preformance Based Environmental Mangaement in BC - MSRM
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Different, not synonymous
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Accountability – legally answerable
Responsibility – morally obliged
Liability – owing a debt
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Comparison of Impacts of
Performance Based versus
Prescriptive Regs
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Responsibility – Increased
under performance based
regs
Accountability – Remains
the same
Liability – Increased
under performance based
regs
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Responsibility
Accountability
Liability
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15
10
5
0
Prescriptive Performance
Note – numbers are displayed for
qualitative purposes only
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Liability
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The legal responsibility to provide
compensation for some harm or injury
Sources
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Terms of Contract
Negligent Conduct
Negligent Misrepresentation
Non-compliance with Statutory Requirements
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Protecting Yourself
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Working to Professional Standards
Insurance
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Know what you are buying
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Read the small print
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Liability, limitation clauses, tail insurance
Exclusions
Certification vs Assurance
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What is a Professional
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An individual recognized by society to
have specialized knowledge, training, skills
and ability
Member of a legislated self-regulating
body
Member in good standing
Exercise judgement and discretion
Self Assessment
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Professional Conduct Standards
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Competence
Independence
Integrity
Stewardship
Due Diligence
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Due Diligence
Professional due diligence is exercising the
care a reasonable professional under the
same circumstances would use –
reasonable but not necessarily exhaustive
efforts – to achieve a desired outcome or
prevent an undesired one.
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College’s Responsibility
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To The Public
To Government
To Members
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Contaminated Sites and RPBios
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http://www.apeg.bc.ca/aboutus/cs/contamsites.html
Roster of Professional Experts will be
expanded to include RPBios for purposes
of Risk Assessment (Human Health and
Environmental)
Licensed Environmental Professionals
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Forest and Range Practices Act
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http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/code/
(1) The minister must approve a forest
stewardship plan or an amendment to a forest
stewardship plan if it conforms to section 5.
(1.01) A forest stewardship plan or an amendment to a
forest stewardship plan conforms to section 5 if
(a) a person with prescribed qualifications
certifies that it conforms to section 5 in relation to
prescribed subject matter, and
(b) the minister is satisfied that it conforms to section 5
in relation to subject matter not prescribed for the
purpose of paragraph (a).
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Sewerage System Regulation
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http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/reg/H/Health/326_2004.htm
regulates small wastewater systems, primarily single family
dwellings which are exempt from the Waste management act
through provisions of the Health act
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Systems are defined as one of three types:
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Type 1 system - site requires a simple septic tank only
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Type 2 system - site requires “secondary” treatment and utilizes a plant
that will produce at least a 5 day BOD<45mg/L and TSS<45 mg/L
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Type 3 system - site requires advanced treatment and utilizes a system
that will produce at least a 5 day BOD of less than 10 mg/L, a TSS of
less than 10mg/L and a fecal coliform count of less than 400/100ml
An RPBio is classed as a ‘Professional’ under this regulation
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B.C. Riparian Areas Regulation
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http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/habitat/fish_protection_act/ri
parian/riparian_areas.html
Applies to urban and rural developments in specified
areas of B.C. – the east side of Vancouver Island, the
lower mainland and the Southern Interior
Directs local Government that condition for development
is assessment by a Qualified Environmental Professional
(QEP) or authorization by DFO
Assessment Methods are attached as a schedule to the
Regulation and thus have force of law
Two assessment options in the Assessment Methods for
determining riparian setbacks and protection measures
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RAR - Duties of a QEP
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A QEP carries out an assessment and
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Certifies that
 He or she is qualified to carry out the assessment, and
 The Assessment Methods have been followed, and
Provides an opinion that
 If the development is implemented as proposed, there
will be no Harmful Alteration, destruction or destruction
(HADD) of Riparian Fish Habitat from the development
or
 Identify areas (setbacks and measures) necessary for
protection to prevent HADD of Riparian Fish Habitat
from the development
A QEP does a post development review and reports to
Governments if the project was constructed as planned
QEP may do monitoring as development proceeds
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RAR (con’t)
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QEP notifications for projects that will not cause
a Harmful Alteration, Disruption or Destruction
(HADD) will receive automatic approval from
WLAP and DFO to proceed
Where the QEP determines that a HADD will not
be avoided DFO authorization of the project is
required
WLAP and DFO will focus resources on
compliance and effectiveness monitoring of RAR
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RAR (con’t)
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May need a team of QEPs depending on the specific
conditions of the site and the proposed project
Could include a Fisheries Biologist, a Geotechnical
Engineer, a Vegetation Specialist, etc.
To assist QEP in due diligence for certifying they are
qualified, government is undertaking the following:
 Updating Assessment Methods to include Skill set
description (in development)
 Training for QEPs on Assessment Methods (in
development)
The Association will work with government in
determining skill sets, qualifications and training
options for their members
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Do we need the APB ?
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Members’ Interest
Shape provincial legislation, regulations
and policies
Aid in the evolution of the profession.
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New Roles for the APBBC
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Professional development for members
Services to members
Networking and discussion forums
External communication & community
involvement
Promoting the profession
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Professional Development
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Define the professional development and continuing
competency needs of new and existing members
Initiate a program for educating members about
professional ethics.
Investigate development of a tracking system for
recording members’ professional development.
Provide access to a data base on professional
development workshops available through others.
Enhance the professional development component of
the Annual General Meetings.
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Service to Members
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Provide information on, and possibly improved
access to professional insurance needs of
members
Enhance the existing membership data base to
support more functions.
Maintain the scholarship programs presently
provided.
Maintain member communications services
presently provided.
Develop affinity programs
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Networking and Discussion Forums
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Continue to facilitate member dialogue
Investigate the feasibility, and be prepared
to organize regional “You Heard It Here
First” sessions
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External Communication &
Community Involvement
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Identify and maintain a list of strategic issues
that the APB has an interest in and may wish to
address publicly.
Continue involvement in science fairs and job
fairs.
Continue with awards, recognition and
sponsorships.
Maintain existing media contacts.
Take the initial steps to develop an APB brand
identity.
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Promoting the Profession
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Bring enthusiastic and qualified young
people into the profession (long term)
Advantages of employing professional
biologists (2004-5)
Enhance other professions’
understanding of the role of Professional
Biologists as part of the team (2004-5)
Promote “college like” legislation in other
jurisdictions (long term)
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The Future ?
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Paraphrasing - An organization is as only
as strong as its membership
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