October 2014

PE REPORT
Quebec Engineers Try to Repair Image

The image of Quebec engineers may be recovering after an investigation into possible corruption on public construction projects gave a black eye to consulting engineers and others.

According to a survey by Quebec’s Order of Engineers, the province’s regulatory body, the public’s view of engineers has held steady or slightly increased between 2013 and 2014. This public opinion trend follows a marked decline in perceptions of engineers after 2011, when the Charbonneau Commission began investigating the awarding of construction contracts.

Before the commission began its investigation, 87% of the public had a favorable view of Quebec engineers. A significant majority also viewed engineers as competent (72%) and honest (66%). Between 2011 and 2013, the percentages for favorability, competence, and honesty dropped 15%, 6%, and 21%, respectively.

The results of the most recent public opinion survey, released in June, show that the favorability rating for engineers held steady at 72%, the same percentage as last year. In addition, the percentage viewing engineers as competent rose to 72% from 66%, and the honesty rating rose to 48% from 45%.

Isabelle Tremblay, vice president of the Order of Engineers, called the results “generally positive,” but added “there is still much to do if we are to regain the level of confidence we enjoyed earlier in the 2000s.”

Since 2013, the organization, which regulates about 60,000 engineers, has implemented new training on ethics and professional conduct and created an investigative unit that specializes in collusion, corruption, and political contributions. An audit program for the business practices of consulting engineering firms is also under development.