OSPE’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held in accordance with our Bylaws on an annual basis. This year, it was held virtually on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:00 PM.
Members and guests who attended the meeting got a chance to celebrate OSPE’s advocacy wins of 2024, recognize the incoming and outgoing Board Directors, and conduct official OSPE business.
Here is a summary of the events of the AGM:
Introduction
The AGM opened with remarks from OSPE Chair, David Carnegie, P.Eng. He offered a land acknowledgment for the evening’s proceedings and thanked OSPE’s Annual Partners and the 2024-2025 Board of Directors. Following these introductory statements, the members voted to approve the Minutes of the 2024 AGM.
David Carnegie then recognized engineering industry partners in attendance.
Report from the Chair & CEO
OSPE CEO Sandro Perruzza joined OSPE Chair David Carnegie, P.Eng. to highlight some of the exciting progress and achievements OSPE made in 2024. This year is especially meaningful as OSPE celebrates its 25th anniversary and Sandro marks his 10th year as CEO.
Advocacy Highlights:
In 2024, OSPE expanded the scope of its advocacy efforts, demonstrating bold, forward-thinking leadership that reaches beyond provincial borders. Our first-ever Advocacy Day in Ottawa recognized that many of Ontario’s challenges and opportunities are mirrored at the national level. The event received a very positive response, and we look forward to returning.
Other advocacy highlights include:
- A growing number of policy wins across multiple engineering sectors.
- Creation of the Engineering Smart Communities Working Group – developing forward-thinking solutions to address Canada’s housing crisis.
- Creation of the Artificial Intelligence Working Group – examining how AI is shaping the future of engineering, with a focus on practical, ethical, and innovative integration.
Engineering Academy Highlights:
OSPE launched EngLearn, a new on-demand platform that gives engineers easy access to all of our professional development offerings. Alongside this, we introduced new academic supports and resources designed to help engineers thrive in a rapidly evolving industry by building technical and non-technical skillsets.
Other Key Highlights:
- OSPE launched a new website to improve access to resources, events, and information as part of a broader effort to enhance member experience.
- OSPE developed a new strategic plan to guide the organization into the future.
OSPE Fellowship Program:
As part of our commitment to recognizing excellence in the profession, OSPE proudly introduced the Fellowship of the Society (FOS) Program, which honours individuals who exemplify excellence, equity, and impact in engineering. Fellows are nominated through a collaborative process between OSPE staff and the Awards Committee and receive a pin, certificate, and the post-nominal designation FOS.
This program will also include the awarding of Honorary Fellowships of the Society to acknowledge exceptional contributors to engineering in Ontario who are not eligible to be OSPE members.
OSPE Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030
Nicholas Burgwin, P.Eng., OSPE Vice Chair of the Board Development and Strategic Planning Committee joined OSPE CEO Sandro Perruzza to discuss OSPE’s Strategic Plan for the next 5 years.
Over the past year, OSPE has worked hard to build a systemic, future-focused strategy. The plan introduces new Vision and Mission Statements, built around the core values of engineers uniting, leading, caring, and prospering. It aims to:
- Create a culture where engineering talent is valued and free of bias
- Strengthen the presence of engineers in leadership roles across sectors
- Elevate the profession through skills development and new tech adoption
- Redefine engineering in a changing world
At its core, the plan calls for a cultural shift, one that recognizes the problem-solving power of engineers and ensures they are equipped, empowered, and embraced in all areas of society.
You can read the full Strategic Plan now on OSPE’s website.
Report from the Nominations Committee
Mark Emmanuel, P.Eng., Nominations Committee Chair delivered the report.
This year, there were four open Board positions.
The following professional engineers shall become Directors of the Society to hold office for a three-year term.
- Sandra Ausma, P.Eng.
- John Hazel, P.Eng.
- Inga Hipsz, P.Eng.
- Raymond Mantha, P.Eng.
After the Annual General Meeting the Board of Directors elected the following as Officers of the OSPE Board for the 2025-2026 term:
- OSPE Chair, Dave Carnegie, P.Eng.
- Vice Chair, Nicholas Burgwin, P.Eng
- Treasurer, Meggen Janes, P.Eng.
- Secretary, Raymond Mantha, P.Eng.
These will be the members of the Executive Committee effective immediately.
Report from the Treasurer
OSPE Chair, David Carnegie, P.Eng. delivered the report on OSPE’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, including a summary of OSPE’s revenue and expenses.
Report from the Audit and Finance Committee
OSPE Chair, David Carnegie, P.Eng. presented the report and the motion was carried to appoint BDO Canada, LLP as auditors of the Society.
Member Questions
During the Member Questions portion of the evening OSPE CEO, Sandro Perruzza discussed several key topics brought forward by OSPE members. He underlined how OSPE is uplifting racialized engineers to take leadership positions in the organization, as well as how OSPE strategically gathers regional perspectives from across the province.
Sandro also presented the key strategies OSPE uses to increase engineering salaries, including government advocacy, the OSPE Fee Guidelines Report, and OSPE’s Annual Salary Survey to name a few.
Regarding OSPE’s Strategic Plan, Sandro provided insights into how the strategic direction was developed through consultation with the board and a third-party consultation agency. The agency interviewed members of the community and industry stakeholders to identify challenges and opportunities for OSPE to address and explore in the coming years.
Sandro also confirmed OSPE’s participation with the Engineers Canada 30 by 30 initiative, and spoke to OSPE’s stance on PEO Chapters, noting that while chapters currently belong to PEO, OSPE believes they would benefit from OSPE’s programs and leadership.
Closing Remarks
Chair David Carnegie took a moment to thank each outgoing Board Director for their special contributions to OSPE.
The directors who completed their 3-year terms this year are Stephanie Holko, P.Eng., and Jane Ravenshaw, P.Eng.
Thank You to Chair David Carnegie, P.Eng.
Vice Chair Nicholas Burgwin, P.Eng. reflected on, and thanked David Carnegie for his many contributions to OSPE over the past year, including his strategic insight and a genuine care for the engineering community found at OSPE.
(A video recording of the AGM will be made available to members in the near future)
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