A. Chamot’s rather vitriolic letter (T.N.M., Jan. 28/91) referring to engineers and the profession follows the pattern of most highly concerned individuals by showing a propensity for exaggeration. But I can understand Chamot’s frustrations. You see, I know a nurse who is often critical of medical doctors. My aunt is a homemaker and her references to nurses are sometimes less than laudatory. My friend is a cleaning lady and her assessment of homemakers is best not recorded. Then there is a clerk and to him supervisors and managers are odious. And so it goes. Chamot should be aware that we are all products of our environment.
His proposal that regulation be turned over to the public service does have some merit. The legislation would then not be used to serve the self (selfish?) interests of members, a situation that may account for Chamot’s dilemma. However, to be effective, it would still require the three elements of competence, conduct and discipline.
I would invite Chamot to take a close look at the “objects” section of the Professional Engineers Act of Ontario. If he can find any evidence, other than the “closed shop” concept, to support or account for his evaluation of engineers, our association would be the first to ask the attorney general for changes.
Our association, on behalf of engineers in Ontario, put considerable effort into having those “objects” worded so they could not be used to encourage or support the conditions Chamot finds so offensive.
I’m afraid Chamot has to look elsewhere for redress, in Ontario at least. Murray McInroy, P.Eng Director Canadian Society for Professional Engineers Toronto
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