Candidate for Councillor: James Ferguson, P.Eng.
Candidate Overview
- Senior leader with 20 years of experience in the energy industry, building and maintaining pipelines across North America.
- Successfully closed out engineering and commissioning of the Coastal GasLink pipeline, which will export up to 5bcf per day of natural gas to Kitimat, BC.
- Implemented and oversaw the practice of engineering for pipeline construction and operations across multiple provinces and states.
Personal Statement
My name is James Ferguson, and I am seeking the honour of serving you on APEGA Council. In my twenty years of practice, I have been fortunate to work with brilliant engineers and geoscientists who were not only experts in their fields but also true professionals who personified our core values of innovation, service, accountability, and integrity. Working alongside these great people has shown me the standard of excellence we should all strive for.
As a member of APEGA Council, I would bring my passion and experience to help address the challenges facing APEGA. I oversaw engineering across multiple states and provinces and dealt with risks that go beyond technical practice. I have also witnessed the power of collaboration and transparency in dealing with those risks. With changing political landscapes and technological advancements, it is paramount for us to uphold our reputation and relevance with the public.
I look forward to the opportunity to give back to APEGA and to work to increase opportunities for all members.
Candidate Resume
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Get to Know the Candidate in Four Questions
What does self-regulation mean to you as a member of APEGA?
Self-regulation is a very important privilege, and its loss is a threat we cannot ignore. Losing it would cause confusion and the risk of being governed by people with little understanding of engineering or geoscience. In turn, this risks our duty to the public. The keys to keeping it are to uphold our reputation with the public and remain objective.
What would you bring to Council?
I would bring several strong qualities to council, including high standards of professionalism, a passion to uphold the reputation of engineers and geoscientists, leadership skills with experience on complex projects and significant external risks, strong collaboration and communication skills, and a desire to strengthen APEGA for all members.
As the regulator of engineering and geoscience, what challenges does APEGA face?
Two key challenges that I see, besides that of self-regulation, are outsourcing of work and keeping up with new technology. Outsourcing of work to areas outside APEGA’s jurisdiction is a reality, yet we must maintain our duty to public safety. With a global economy, we need to be able to ensure proper oversight of that work. Advancements in technology, like artificial intelligence, are drastically changing the way we work, and our standards and policies need to stay up-to-date to be effective.
What is the value of a professional licence with APEGA?
A professional licence is invaluable. It provides engineers and geoscientists the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families, while continually challenging them to learn and apply their knowledge. It also provides assurances to public safety and essential services, such as infrastructure, transportation, tools, and energy.