PROFESSIONAL SYSTEM IN QUBEC
24 January 2013
How is the System Organized
Why a Professional System
Evolution of Quebec case
OIQ
Attributes of a Professional
Skills formalized
education or training
Judgement requires
exercising discretion
Membership in selfgoverning associations
Contributes to public
welfare
Professional System
System that governs actions of professionals
Professionals are members of professional
associations
License is the permission to practice the
profession according to rules.
Breaking rules can result in loss of license to
practice
Professional Associations
Dedicated organizations that are governed by
members of the profession.
Professional associations are institutionalized bodies
Social Contract Model
Professional associations set up to further public good
More responsibilities, less rights
Actions of associations have backing of laws and
administration.
Collective Bargaining Model
Associations are interest groups that further private
interest.
More rights and demands, few responsibilities
Professional regulation in Canada
Professional associations follow a
social contract model
Organized at the provincial level
Engineering Professional Associations in
Canada
Organized at the provincial level.
Association of Professional Engineers and
Geoscientists of BritishColumbia
Association of Professional Engineers,
Geologists and Geophysicists ofAlberta
Association of Professional Engineers and
Geoscientists of the Province ofManitoba
Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Association of Professional Engineers and
Geoscientists
Engineers and GeoscientistsNewBrunswick
Association of Professional Engineers and
Geoscientists ofSaskatchewan
Engineers Nova Scotia
Engineers PEI
Association of Professional Engineers
Ordre des ingnieurs duQubec
ofYukon
Professional Engineers and
Geoscientists of Newfoundland
andLabrador
Engineering Associations in
Canada
Two fundamental differences from
organization in USA
Engineering professions are selfregulating: Each province or territory has
passed an Act to create an association of
engineers that regulates the profession.
License gives the engineer to practice
engineering and bear the title of
professional engineer.
History of Professions in
Quebec
Initially inspired by European models of
regulation
Before 1970
Professional associations had weak social contracts
and were non-standardized.
Liberal Professional independent and unregulated
by governments.
Between 1960-70, there was a surge in many
new & different professions.
Quiet Revolution in Quebec
1960-70 was a period of
immense social, political
transformation.
Transformation from a
conservative society to a
progressive, modern
society
Massive state intervention
in the affairs of society
Health, education and social
sector reform
Nationalization of electricity
Network of state universities
Professional Reorganization in Quebec
In 1970, the Castonguay-Nepveu
Commission examined the health system
in Quebec.
It recommended change in the
professional system in Quebec
It recommended organizational change
to make it appropriate for new social and
economic conditions
It recommended strong supervisory of
government to eliminate inconsistencies
in the social contract of professions in
Professional System in
Quebec
Prior to 1973
Trust in the ability of professional
associations to govern themselves
Professional associations were arbitrary
Code of ethics not obligatory
Reason for change
Necessity of ensuring public safety
Development of many specialized
professions
Formalizing practice rights
In 1973
National Assembly of Quebec
initiated a new control of
professional orders
Instituted a Professional System
Adopted the Professional Code
Professional System in Quebec
Unique system of
governance of professions
in North America
Five primary groups
administer the system
The Government of Quebec
Office des professions du
Quebec
Quebec Interprofessional
Council
Professional Tribunal
46 professional orders
Professional System in
Quebec
Government of Quebec (Minister of
Justice)
Reports to the National Assembly (NA) of
Quebec on the operation of the professional
system
The Minister presents legislations and
resolutions regarding the professional
system in the NA.
Office de Professions du Quebec
Ensures that different Orders respect their
Interprofessional Council
Composed of representatives of all 46
Orders
Advisory body that can be consulted on
professional matters
Professional Tribunal
Judges appointed by the Court of Quebec
Hears appeals on decisions made by
disciplinary councils of different orders
Professionals Orders
Mission of Professional Orders
Ensure Protection of the Public
Two types of Professionals Orders
Professions with Reserved Titles & Exclusive
Practice (25)
OIQ
Professions with Reserved Titles (21)
Order of the professional technologists
Reasoning for the professional system
Based on the principle that professions (in
Quebec) shall be self-governing, but not
completely independent.
Independence: Considerable decision-making
autonomy to professional associations;
Transparency: Regulation of professions is open
to public scrutiny;
Accountability: Professional system is ultimately
answerable to government and people of
Quebec
Monitoring: system allows the government of
Quebec to exert control
Legal Basis The Professional Code
A Law of public order that reflects the
National Assemblys desire to protect the
public in matters concerning professional
services.
Applies to all professional orders including
OIQ
Creates the Office of Professions and the
Interprofessional Council
Creates the different professional orders
Describes the activities of the
professional orders
Operation of Professional
orders
Creates a Structure of Self-management
Members govern the order by financing,
creating professional regulations, and
creating functions and roles.
Controls practice of profession
Controlling the title and right to practice the
profession
Verifying competence and integrity for admission
Maintentance of professional competence
Supervision of professional practice
Operation of Professional
Orders
Role
Leadership & supervision
Training & maintaining
competence
Verifies individual
competence
Investigates malpractice
Decides on penalties to
be awarded
Agent
Executive Committee
Training Committee
Inspection Committee
Syndic
Disciplinary Council
Ordre des Ingnieurs duQubec (OIQ)
One of the 46 professional orders in Quebec that
are recognized by the Government to regulate
themselves.
All engineers in Quebec who engage in
professional activities MUST be members of
the OIQ.
The rules pertaining to the professional activities of
engineers are set out in:
The Professional Code.
The Engineers Act.
The Code of Ethics of Engineers and other regulations.
Bill 101.
Legal basis of OIQ Engineers Act
Defines a member as a person on the
roll of OIQ
Defines an engineer as a member of the
OIQ.
Defining the field of practice of an
engineer
The kinds of work that require an engineer
Defining the kinds of acts that count as
engineering practice
Consultation, measurements, design,
Field of Practice of an
Engineer
Railways, public roads, airports,
bridges, viaducts, tunnels and the
installations connected with
transport systems
Dams, canals, harbours,
lighthouses
Works of an electrical,
mechanical, hydraulic,
aeronautical, electronic, thermic,
nuclear, metallurgical, geological
or mining character and those
intended for the utilization of the
processes of applied chemistry or
physics;
Waterworks, sewer, filtration,
purification works to dispose of
refuse
Foundations, framework and
electrical and mechanical systems of
buildings
Structures accessory to engineering
works and intended to house them;
Temporary framework and other
temporary works used during the
carrying out of works of civil
engineering;
Soil engineering necessary to
elaborate engineering works;
Industrial work or equipment
involving public or employee safety.
In Quebec, it is against the
law to use the title
Engineer or the
abbreviation Eng. unless
you are a member of the OIQ
Use of the
Professional
Title
Professional Values
Values that are prized in the profession.
OIQ specifies four values derived from its
social mission
Competence
Ethical Conduct
Responsibility
Social Commitment
Ethical Analysis
THAT WILL BE COVERED IN NEXT
CLASS ...
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