An investigation by an association of engineers and geoscientists that has cleared its own members of conflict of interest allegations over a contaminated soil site at Shawnigan Lake underscores the need to eliminate the professional reliance model, says Green MLA Sonia Furstenau.
Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley, was a vocal critic of a quarry on Vancouver Island that had received a permit to treat contaminated soil from landfills. In January, the BC Ministry of Environment suspended the permit.
Allegations were levied that some of the professional engineers that provided technical services to the quarry owner, South Island Aggregates/Cobble Hill Holdings, were in an undisclosed conflict of interest.
The allegations were that five professionals of Active Earth Engineering (AEE) were had ownership interests in the project that had not been disclosed.
The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC conducted an investigation, and on Aug. 3 issued a press release stating that it found the five AEE professionals did not contravene the association’s code of conduct.
“The investigation determined that AEE's potential ownership interest was disclosed to the Ministry of Environment early on in the approval process,” the association says.
“This report demonstrates the urgent need for reform of the professional reliance model,” Furstenau said in a news release.
“It is highly disturbing that there is now conflicting information as to whether the Ministry was aware of AEE’s potential ownership interest. I hope that the truth of this matter is uncovered so that we can ensure proper accountability for what happened in Shawnigan.
One of the Green Party’s campaign planks is the elimination of the professional reliance model, in which mining companies and other natural resource companies are required to hire professional engineers, geoscientists and environmental services professionals to do some of the work that used to be done by government agencies.
“I look forward to ensuring that the model is reviewed in a timely manner and that appropriate changes are made so that British Columbians can begin to trust that their government is free of conflict-of-interests in protecting their health and safety,” Furstenau said.
