Canadian Environment Experience Competencies - Guide for Applicants

Competency 5.1: Code of Ethics

Minimum competency level required : 3

Demonstrate your ability to apply principles of the Code of Ethics within the Canadian engineering environment. To assist you with your report for this competency, consider examples that demonstrate one (or more) of the following indicators:

  1. Comply with the Code of Ethics in your jurisdiction of practice
  2. Fulfill professional obligations to employers, clients, peers and the profession while applying professional ethics in meeting corporate directives
  3. Understand the concept of self-governance, and the privileges granted to professional engineers and their obligations
  4. Work within the engineering and geoscience legislation in the jurisdiction of practice
  5. Demonstrate the use of practice guidelines in relation to self-regulation and professional practice

If you are an applicant:
  1. With no or limited experience within a Canadian Environment; or
  2. Being assessed to determine if confirmatory examinations may be waived (select jurisdictions only, such as APEGS)
Please consider the following guidance on using examples from your international experience to address this competency:

Things to consider if your competency example for Competency 5.1 took place outside of Canada:

  1. If you used international/other applicable Code of Ethics (or other ethical practice guidelines), consider the following information to include in your example:
    • Specify which international/other applicable Code of Ethics (or similar guidelines) that were used in your example.
    • Describe how you used and applied the specified Code of Ethics in a non-Canadian engineering environment.
    • Identify the main differences and/or similarities between the Canadian codes of ethics, and the ethical practices described in your example.
    • What steps did you take to adhere to ethical conduct, and what are the consequences of non-adherence?
  2. If the jurisdiction in which your example takes place does not have a set of Code of Ethics (or relevant ethical practice guidelines), consider the following information to include in your example:
    • What steps did you take to adhere to ethical conduct, and what are the consequences of non-adherence?
    • Identify possible or relevant Canadian Code of Ethics tenets that may be applicable to your example. How would these apply to your specific example?

References/Validators

Applicants are asked to provide the names and e-mail addresses of a validator who can confirm their work experience example and provide overall feedback on your readiness for professional licensure. Ideally, validators will be professional engineers (or the equivalent). However, if this not possible, ensure that validators for the mandatory Canadian Environment Competencies are direct supervisors within the same discipline of practice and who can demonstrate an understanding of the competency requirements.

Self-Assessment Rating Scale

Applicants are required to provide a self-assessment level that indicates their level of the competency.

Competency Rating Scale for Mandatory Canadian Competencies
Level/Rating
Experience Level
0
No experience with the competency
1
Demonstrates some awareness of the competency through work experience
2
Demonstrates awareness of the competency and has minimal practical experience with the competency (either in Canada or another jurisdiction)
3
Has moderate experience with the competency while working under supervision (either in Canada or another jurisdiction)
4
Has advanced knowledge of the competency and can carry out complex activities with minimal supervision
5
Demonstrates ability to carry out activities of the competency with advanced skills and complexity, with no supervision

Assessment Outcomes

Assessment Score
Assessment Outcome
Score meets the respective minimum Competency Level required
Applicant satisfies the specified Canadian Environment Competency

All Canadian Environment Competencies require a minimum score of 3.0 except for Competency 6.2, which requires a minimum score of 2.0.
Score is greater than 1, but less than minimum Competency Level required
Applicant may be assigned:
  • The relevant Working in Canada Seminar unit(s) to satisfy the Canadian Environment Competency; or
  • Additional experience.
Score is 0
Applicant is assigned or re-assigned:
  • The relevant Working in Canada Seminar unit(s) to achieve a minimum level of 2, and
  • Additional experience (must obtain at least a level of 1)
  • The specified Canadian Environment Competency to demonstrate a level of at least 1 through experience in a Canadian Environment.

Methods to Satisfy Mandatory Canadian Environment Competencies

The Working in Canada Seminar is a comprehensive online course that supplements an applicant’s ability to demonstrate their knowledge for each of the mandatory Canadian Environment Competencies. As part of the assessment process for the mandatory Canadian Environment Competencies, applicants may be able to complete the relevant Working in Canada Seminar unit(s) to partially satisfy the specified competencies (see Table 1: Assignment of Working in Canada Seminar Unit(s) for Partial Fulfilment of Canadian Environment Competencies).

Please note that some jurisdictions may not accept the Working in Canada Seminar as a method to partially satisfy the Canadian Environment Competencies. However there may be other courses or bridging programs that can be accepted in lieu. Please contact your provincial/territorial governing body to confirm eligibility of the course/bridging program to partially the Canadian Environment Competencies.


Re-Assessment Procedure for Canadian Environment Competencies

The Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) framework allows for competencies to be re-assigned to the applicant if the specified competency has not been satisfied. This procedure also applies to the eight mandatory Canadian Environment Competencies.

If the minimum category level is not met for one (or more) of the eight mandatory Canadian Environment Competencies, the competency will be re-assigned to the candidate for completion. Once the appropriate experience has been obtained, the candidate will re-submit the competency for re-assessment.

Please note that applicants who do not hold an accredited or equivalent-to accredited engineering degree, and who appear to have sufficient engineering experience (typically five years), may be given the opportunity to have their experience and competencies assessed to determine if they will be assigned technical examinations to confirm their level of education. These applicants will be eligible for this assessment whether or not they have completed the eight competencies that ultimately must be demonstrated in a Canadian Environment or equivalent.