The Ottawa Buildings Engineering Sub-Committee is a newly established technical and advocacy forum within the Ottawa Chapter of Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Ontario (ACEC-Ontario). The working group is focused on advancing the interests, expertise, and collective voice of consulting engineers engaged in the planning, design, and delivery of building systems across Ontario.
Buildings engineering plays a critical role in achieving Ontario’s objectives for climate resilience, energy efficiency, occupant health and safety, and sustainable growth. This working group exists to ensure that the perspectives of consulting engineers working in the built environment are well represented in industry dialogue, policy development, and stakeholder engagement.
Purpose and Mandate
The Ottawa Buildings Engineering Working Group supports ACEC-Ontario’s mission by:
- Providing a forum for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among consulting engineers working in building disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, structural, building science, sustainability, and integrated design
- Identifying emerging technical, regulatory, and market issues affecting building projects and consulting engineering practice
- Supporting ACEC-Ontario’s advocacy efforts by contributing informed, practice-based perspectives on policies, codes, standards, procurement models, and legislation impacting the built environment
- Strengthening relationships between consulting engineers and key stakeholders such as regulators, owners, developers, municipalities, utilities, and allied industry organizations
- This committee reports into the Ottawa Chapter Chair
Areas of Focus
The working group’s areas of interest may include, but are not limited to:
- Building codes, standards, and regulatory changes
- Energy efficiency, decarbonization, and net-zero strategies
- Climate adaptation, resilience, and asset renewal
- Procurement models, project delivery risk, and professional liability
- Innovation in building systems, digital tools, and design processes
- Workforce development, mentorship, and knowledge transfer within the buildings sector
The scope and priorities of the sub-committee will evolve in response to member input and industry needs.
Membership and Participation
The Ottawa Buildings Engineering Working Group is actively seeking to grow its membership. Participation is open to professionals from ACEC-Ontario member firms who are involved in, or have an interest in, buildings engineering and the broader built environment.
Membership offers opportunities to:
- Contribute to meaningful industry dialogue and advocacy
- Collaborate with peers from across Ontario
- Help shape ACEC-Ontario positions on buildings-related issues
- Develop leadership experience and professional visibility within the consulting engineering community
At present, the committee is chaired and in its foundational stage. This represents a unique opportunity for early members to help define the committee’s direction, priorities, and long-term impact.
Stakeholder Engagement
A key objective of the Ottawa Buildings Engineering Working Group is to enhance engagement between consulting engineers and external stakeholders. The committee aims to act as a conduit between ACEC-Ontario and organizations involved in building ownership, regulation, development, construction, and operation.
Through dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, the sub-committee seeks to promote informed decision-making, practical policy development, and outcomes that reflect the value consulting engineers bring to the built environment.
Get Involved
ACEC-Ontario members who are interested in contributing to the Buildings Engineering Working Group are encouraged to get involved. Whether you are seeking to influence policy, share expertise, or collaborate with peers, your participation will help strengthen the consulting engineering voice in Ontario’s buildings sector.
For more information or to express interest in joining the sub-committee, please contact Bailey Watson at the ACEC-Ontario Ottawa Chapter.