From Behind the Scenes to the Spotlight: Consulting Engineers Across Canada Recognized for their Contributions to Environment, Economy and Society

OTTAWA, Oct. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - From designing efficient buildings and bridges to resource development and environmental stewardship, consulting engineering firms put their expertise to work on a variety of projects that often go unnoticed, or happen behind the scenes. But this was not the case in Ottawa Tuesday evening, as twent­y leading-edge projects received the highest recognition for engineering excellence at the 2016 Canadian Consulting Engineering (CCE) Awards gala.

"These awards showcase the outstanding talent and expertise of consulting engineers across Canada," said ACEC President and CEO John Gamble. "By recognizing these projects with national awards, we highlight the important contributions of engineering firms to Canadians and the huge impact they have both here at home and around the world."

Twenty Awards of Excellence were handed out in a range of categories. Of these top projects, five were recognized with Special Achievement Awards for demonstrating a high level of technical innovation, dedication to the environment, Canadian expertise abroad, engineering that most enhances Canadians' quality of life, and community or societal enhancement.

In addition, ACEC presented three awards to deserving individuals. The 2016 Beaubien Award for lifetime achievement, was presented to Réjean Breton, Eng., cofounder of consulting engineering firm BBA. The Chair's Award for exceptional contributions to the industry, was bestowed to Philip "Skit" Ferguson, Executive Director of Consulting Engineers of Nova Scotia. The 2017 Allen D. Williams scholarship, recognizing a young professional's commitment to consulting engineering, was awarded to Tijana Smiljanic, P.Eng., transportation engineer at McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd.

Now in their 48th year, the Awards are presented jointly by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-Canada (ACEC) and Canadian Consulting Engineer magazine. They recognize consulting engineering firms and their projects in terms of high quality, innovation and technical excellence. They are considered the highest recognition for excellence in the consulting engineering industry and its winners are selected by independent jurors who have distinguished backgrounds in various sectors of the industry.

The award-winning projects are described in full in the October-November 2016 issue of Canadian Consulting Engineer at www.canadianconsultingengineer.com/digital-edition/.

In November, follow the #20DaysOfExcellence in engineering campaign on Twitter and at www.acec.ca/20daysofexcellence to watch videos of the winning projects and to learn more about the impact of consulting engineering on our quality of life.

ACEC represents companies in Canada that provide professional engineering services to both public and private sector clients. These services include the planning, design and execution of all types of engineering projects, as well as providing independent advice and expertise in a wide range of engineering and engineering-related fields. For more information about ACEC and the 2016 Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards, please visit www.acec.ca.

Canadian Consulting Engineer is a bi-monthly magazine for engineers in the construction industry. It is a division of Annex Publishing & Printing Inc.

Links to project photos and videos are provided in the backgrounder.
http://www.acec.ca/files/CCEAwards/2016/media/acec_cce_awards_pressrelease_national_backgrounder.pdf

SOURCE Association of Consulting Engineering Companies

For further information: Jennifer McMahon, Communications and Marketing Specialist, Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-Canada, [e-mail], 613-859-0569; Bronwen Parsons, Editor, Canadian Consulting Engineer, [e-mail], 416-510-5119