As we turn the page on an extraordinary year of celebration marking ACEC-Ontario’s 50th anniversary, we pause to reflect on the legacy we’ve built together, looking ahead to an even brighter future. This milestone year was not just about honouring the past, it was about shaping our future. We capped the year with the Association’s corporate strategic planning meetings, setting the stage for the next 50 years of leadership, innovation, and impact in Ontario’s consulting engineering sector.
This being the end of our current Strategic Plan, our Board, stakeholders, and staff came together this past November for thoughtful and forward-looking conversations. We explored how ACEC-Ontario can continue to deliver value to small and mid-sized firms while maintaining representation across our diverse membership. In preparation for the discussions, the Association gathered insights on where to focus efforts to achieve measurable progress on member priorities such as procurement trends, industry profile, and talent resources.
As a group, we weighed how to build on our strong momentum in engagement and volunteerism, ensuring members remain connected and see clear value in participation in the Association. We also considered strategies to elevate the profile of consulting engineering as a trusted strategic partner to government decision-makers and to strengthen ACEC-Ontario’s presence through priorities such as advocacy, education, sponsorships, partnerships, and other approaches that support long-term sustainability. Finally, we discussed how collaboration with other associations, client groups, and sectors can expand our influence and amplify impact on these priorities, while challenging ourselves to identify innovative ideas for the next three years and the resources required to bring them to life.
Together, we established a clear course of action: proactive advocacy, engagement that delivers value, and advancing firm resilience through enhancing industry capacity. These pillars will serve as the foundation for our initiatives as we enter 2026 and beyond. I would like to extend personal thanks to all who participated in the member survey and strategic planning session—your perspectives and commitment remain integral to our industry’s shared success.
Collectively, we acknowledge the world around us is changing. Economic signals are uncertain, global relationships are shifting, and the implications for our industry are not yet fully clear. What we do know is that proactive advocacy will be essential to position the consulting engineering industry for success in an evolving environment. ACEC-Ontario is committed to being that voice, anticipating challenges, shaping policy for the benefit of Ontario communities, and ensuring our members are engaged early as strategic partners in delivering solutions.
ACEC-Ontario is moving forward with purpose, and I all member-firm staff to be part of this journey through engaging with a chapter, volunteering on a committee or network, providing insights when requested, and attending events. The next 50 years start now. Together, we will shape an industry that is stronger, better connected, and ready to lead Ontario into the future.
Cheers.
Ryan Matthews
2025-2026 Chair
ACEC-Ontario