As we reflect on the past year, 2024 has been a period of significant progress and innovation for ACEC. Guided by our strategic priorities, we championed industry growth, strengthened member firms, and advocated for policies that help our members create lasting benefits for the communities they serve. Here are just some of the key highlights of the activities that we’ve undertaken over the past months:
The introduction of PN-48R2, mandating translation of all procurement documents posted on federal government websites, including sealed design documents prepared by consultants, remained a central issue for ACEC. This policy, while intended to align with Canada's bilingualism goals, poses significant capacity and financial challenges for both the government and our industry, particularly smaller firms.
ACEC took decisive action to ensure our members’ perspectives were front and center. We actively engaged with federal officials, including Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), and other key stakeholders. With the support of Nanos Research, we surveyed the industry and generated data instrumental in educating civil servants, politicians, and industry leaders about the real-world implications of this policy, including potential delays, cost overruns, and capacity constraints within the sector. More troubling is that approximately 70% of firms would not be able to participate in federal government projects.
ACEC also secured meetings with key policymakers, including officials from the office of Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of PSPC, and MP Anthony Housefather, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury Board. These discussions underscored the challenges associated with the policy and sought to ensure that the promised public consultation would reflect the industry’s concerns and include meaningful dialogue with engineering regulators.
PSPC launched the long-awaited stakeholder consultation in July; we made a formal submission on behalf of the industry and encouraged member firms to also participate. In collaboration with PSPC senior staff, ACEC delivered a town hall meeting that provided a comprehensive presentation of the policy and its implications for the delivery of federal projects. Click here to view a recording of the townhall.
With the formal consultation period now closed, ACEC anticipates significant revisions to the current policy, which we hope will ensure a balanced approach that upholds the principles of bilingualism while ensuring that consulting engineering firms can continue to deliver critical services without unnecessary burdens. Our work will continue in 2025 with ongoing dialogue with PSPC and other relevant government and industry partners to find solutions that align with both public policy goals and the operational realities of consulting engineers.
Budget 2024 included a plan to increase the capital gains inclusion rate, which will impact owners of member firms and their succession plans. ACEC wrote to the Minister of Finance to express our criticism of this decision. We also met with the Minister of National Revenue, Minister Bibeau, alongside some members to share concerns regarding the impact that the proposed changes will have on these firms and their communities. Thanks to our ongoing advocacy surrounding this issue, ACEC member Montana Wilson of GRIT Engineering was invited to testify at the Standing Committee on Finance regarding the impacts of these changes on small businesses. Ms. Wilson summarized ACEC’s key recommendations regarding changes to capital gains while amplifying the voices of consulting engineering companies across Canada. In her opening speech, she stated “Many business owners like myself take a substantial personal risk when starting and growing their firms, and I am concerned that these changes will have a significant impact on the future of small, locally-owned businesses”. You can watch Ms. Wilson’s testimony here.
Parliament has been served notice of the proposed amendments the government intends to bring to the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax Regulations, which includes changes to capital gains. As of beginning of December, the House of Commons has yet to ratify these changes. We will continue to meet with elected and government officials once the Houe returns in the New Year on this ongoing and important issues for our members.
With the government’s increased focus on housing affordability, ACEC emphasized the need for vital infrastructure investments to support housing through our 2025 pre-budget submission. We supported the government’s announcement of a $6 billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to enhance critical housing-related infrastructure such as water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. However, concerns remain regarding the conditions municipalities must meet to be eligible.
We also partnered with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to ensure municipalities could access the necessary resources to align housing projects with infrastructure needs. ACEC will monitor how these investments impact consulting engineering firms and advocate for greater flexibility in funding conditions.
ACEC remained a steadfast advocate for a National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA) and its potential to address Canada’s long-term infrastructure needs. Through ongoing consultations with Infrastructure Canada and continued calls for its implementation in our pre-budget submission and Parliament Hill Day key messaging, we ensured the NIA stayed on the government’s radar amid competing priorities like housing affordability.
Our message on the importance of the NIA was further amplified over the summer when national and regional media outlets reached out to ACEC following some high-profile infrastructure failures and extreme weather events. CBC News, as well as talk radio CFRA 580, reached out to discuss the state of infrastructure across Canada. In a series of interviews over the course of the weekend of August 16th, ACEC President and CEO John Gamble spoke about the critical role that infrastructure plays in our communities' well-being and reiterated ACEC’s calls to the government to follow through on its commitment to its previously announced National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA) and to renew the Investing in Canada Program (ICIP) or introduce a similar program.
John Gamble also took part in the webinar The Path to Strengthening Canada’s Municipal Infrastructure hosted by ReNew Magazine and Water Canada. With an audience of over 200 participants from across ACEC’s stakeholder community - including members, clients, associations, regulators and policymakers – this was another opportunity to showcase our industry’s critical role in the delivery of infrastructure and reiterate ACEC’s advocacy messages around the NIA and the need for consistent infrastructure funding. The webinar can be viewed here.
Our partnership with FCM went beyond housing issues with our respective organizations also aligned on the need for long-term, predictable infrastructure investments based on good data and strategic needs. As one of their key stakeholders, FCM invited us to participate in the creation of a new Municipal Growth Framework which they have since presented to the federal government. Elements of the framework pertaining to infrastructure are consistent with ACEC’s longstanding advocacy and will help amplify our messages to the government.
In early December, the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing, and Communities announced the long-awaited creation of the Canadian Infrastructure Council, an expert advisory body tasked with delivering Canada’s first National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA). After three years of sustained advocacy, we are pleased to see the government adopt recommendations from stakeholders like ACEC to establish an independent and diverse advisory body of experts to guide this critical initiative.
We commend the government for taking this important first step toward developing a long-term, robust, and data-driven plan for infrastructure investments in Canada. The Council represents a tremendous opportunity to bring together infrastructure experts and stakeholders in shaping informed policies and driving effective investments. The CIC announcement appears to largely reflect the government’s initial commitment to the NIA, as articulated by former Minister Catherine McKenna and supported by ACEC in 2021.
The Council will focus on core infrastructure priorities required to foster vibrant and resilient communities and addressing the housing crisis. However, ACEC remains hopeful that its mandate will expand over time to encompass infrastructure that also supports a strong, diverse Canadian economy and enhances the quality of life for all Canadians.
We look forward to collaborating with the Council in the months ahead and continuing to work closely with the leadership at Infrastructure, Housing, and Communities to advance these vital objectives.
A cornerstone of our advocacy activities, this year’s Parliament Hill Day saw more than 45 ACEC member firm representatives take part in meetings with Members of Parliament, Senator, and key government staff to discuss the vital role our industry plays in building resilient communities how consulting engineering firms contribute to a strong economy.
We supported the bipartisan passage of Bill C-317, establishing a national strategy for flood and drought forecasting. By emphasizing the importance of data-driven infrastructure planning, this bill not only sets a new standard for climate resilience and environmental policy, it aligns with ACEC’s vision of a proactive approach to infrastructure challenges.
We were thrilled to present MP Francis Scarpaleggia with the 2024 Chair’s Award in recognition of his leadership in championing this bill, which reflects his unwavering commitment to advancing data-based climate resilience and environmental policy.
We took part again this year in the Canadian Public Procurement Forum hosted by the Canadian Public Procurement Council (CPPC). The event provides ACEC an unparallelled opportunity to engage with and influence public procurement community in Canada. As both a private sector member and sponsor of the event, our involvement has been a worthwhile opportunity to not only advocate for procurement reform, but to also gather intelligence on procurement trends in the public sector.
Our participation on the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) allows ACEC to actively participate in the development and review of standard construction contracts, forms, and guides used by public and private sector clients and owners. A national joint committee that includes representation from across the Canadian Construction industry, our participation helps ensure the commercial and legal interests of consulting engineering firms of all sizes are protected. We wish to express our thanks to Tom Montgomery of CIMA+, Sylvia Jungkind of WSP, and Owen Hall of GHD for their tireless work as ACEC representatives on the committee.
As a proud member of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), ACEC is part of a global network spanning 98 countries. This influential organization is currently chaired by a Canadian, Catherine Karakatsanis, COO of Morrison Hershfield (now Stantec). Canada's presence was strongly felt at the recent FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference, with 15 ACEC member firms in attendance. The closing Awards Gala was a highlight, where Rahim Ahmad of Associated Engineering, the 2024 Allen D. Williams Scholarship recipient, received a "Highly Commended" Award as one of three Future Leaders recognized globally. It was also a landmark evening for Canadian excellence, as CIMA+ and Hatch won the prestigious "Project of the Year (Megaprojects)" award for their work on the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) – South Shore segment in Montréal. This achievement marked the first time a Canadian firm claimed victory in this category, underscoring the global impact of Canada’s consulting engineering sector.
This year marked the success of several initiatives aimed at strengthening our member firms and supporting emerging leaders in the industry.
Our Future Leader Management Program and Forum continues to draw strong participation with another cohort of 40 next generation leaders completing this year’s program in January 2025. We further expanded the offering with the launch of a follow-up level 200 program and have plans to provide ongoing professional development with a level 300 offering in 2025.
Member engagement reached new heights with the sold-out ACEC Executive Forum in June, which offered an invaluable platform for industry leaders to connect, share, and learn.
The inaugural Small Firm Forum, which took place in November, reflects our commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by smaller firms. By fostering dialogue and sharing best practices, this forum empowered small firms to thrive in a competitive landscape.
We are dedicated to supporting an industry where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.
To this end, ACEC is proud to have launched a digital DEI Resource Centre, a go-to source for curated resources of practical tools, expert insights, and actionable strategies specific to the engineering industry to build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.
We continued our collaboration with Engineers Canada on their 30 by 30 initiative. Sabrina Martineau of AtkinsRéalis was our representative on the 30 by 30 Champions network, which facilitates data collection and distribution on the composition of the profession and advocates to the federal government on issues relevant to women in engineering. We had strong representation at the 30 by 30 conference which took place in May in Winnipeg from ACEC and several member firms, including our then Chair Allyson Desgroseilliers of WSP Canada.
We also emphasized education and inclusivity through partnerships with initiatives like the 30 by 30 program by Engineers Canada and the EngiQueers Canada conference, promoting equity and diversity within the engineering profession.
As a federation, ACEC and the provincial and territorial associations work together to ensure our industry has a strong voice at the federal, provincial and municipal level. A strong federation ensures the consulting engineering industry remains strong and vibrant. To this end, we hosted the inaugural ACEC Association Day this fall which brought together the leadership of the national and provincial associations for a day of engaging discussions on industry challenges and the roles of our associations in addressing them. The event focused on critical advocacy and governance topics, fostering collaboration and shared understanding among the leadership of the consulting engineering industry. ACEC Association Day proved to be a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships and drive meaningful progress for our associations and the industry as a whole.
We continued our successful partnership with the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students (CFES), enhancing engagement with student leaders and securing exclusive recognition as a legacy supporter. Our team participated in some of their key events like the Canadian Engineering Leadership Conference (CELC) and the Canadian Engineering Competition (CEC), serving as speakers and judges, fostering meaningful connections with future industry leaders. This collaboration provides valuable opportunities for student engagement, including career fairs, presentations, and networking at ACEC-Canada's fall events. Learn more about CFES and its student programs here.
ACEC celebrated excellence in consulting engineering at its awards gala in late October, honouring remarkable achievements from across Canada and beyond. The evening featured the presentation of 20 Awards of Excellence, with five projects receiving Special Awards from the jury for their extraordinary impact. The evening also paid tribute to two exceptional individuals for their contributions to the industry. Negin Tousi of David Nairne & Associated in British Columbia was awarded the Allen D. Williams Scholarship, recognizing her as an outstanding young professional. The prestigious Beaubien Award, presented by the Past Chair’s Council, honoured Claude Décary of BBA for his distinguished career and lasting contributions to the consulting engineering sector.
The gala also marked the launch of the ACEC National Awards, a brand-new program debuting in 2025. At the heart of this new awards program is a bold shift in focus, showcasing outcomes, impacts, and the tangible long-term benefits of projects. With updated categories and a streamlined submission process, the program is designed to be accessible to firms of all. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your firm’s exception work - click here to learn more and to submit your project by the January 31 deadline.
We launched a new initiative in 2024 to better fulfill our priority to be a resource centre for industry trends, data and best practices.
To this end, we were excited to release our 2024 Economic Assessment and 5 Year-Forecast which provides critical insights into our industry’s contributions to the Canadian economy. These findings not only helped inform our own advocacy work, but also that of the provincial associations and decision-makers across the sector.
In addition to this economic assessment, we have also been conducting Engineering Business Sentiment surveys which track perspectives from firm executives and leaders. The survey provides colour commentary on the economic data to create a more detailed picture of our industry and where it is headed. The survey, which is conducted twice a year, has been extremely well received by the ACEC membership, with close to a 30% participation rate.
This year saw the return of a revamped ACEC national leadership conference. The 2024 National Leadership Conference brought together 100 industry leaders and future leaders for a one-day journey of knowledge, collaboration, and inspiration. Designed by the industry for the industry, this flagship event featured a carefully curated program of expert speakers, panels, and keynote sessions addressing key business, regulatory, and economic issues. Participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions on opportunities, challenges, emerging technologies, and best practices in consulting engineering, gaining practical tools and insights to elevate their firms and shape the future of the sector. We look forward to hosting this flagship event again in 2025. Mark your calendars for October 22 and stay tuned to Source newsletter for the launch of the business program and registration.
As we prepare to celebrate ACEC-Canada’s 100th anniversary in 2025, the milestones achieved this year lay a solid foundation for the future. Together, we are driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and championing an industry that continues to build a better Canada.
Here’s to another year of shared success!
This cornerstone ACEC advocacy activity transforms employees of ACEC member firms into industry ambassadors who help shape policy affecting our sector by meeting with Members of Parliament.
ACEC defends opportunity for firms to participate in federal procurement in official language of their choice.
The ACEC team is actively pursuing its advocacy agenda, ensuring the voice of consulting engineering continues to be heard by federal decision makers.
National Engineering Month is Canada’s biggest celebration of engineering. Over 500 events take place across the country for young Canadians to learn about the exciting, fun and rewarding world of careers in engineering.
ACEC-Canada members are leaders in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The work of our member organizations and member firms is of critical importance to the development of a more sustainable world.
QBS (Qualifications Based Selection) is an internationally recognized best practice for the procurement of professional engineering services.
Read ACEC's Submission to the National Infrastructure Assessment in response to the Federal Government’s Engagement Paper Building the Canada We Want in 2050.
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