Media Advisory: Engaging Engineers in Public Policy Development the Focus of Profession's Upcoming Government Relations Conference

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 8, 2011) - On September 12, leaders in Ontario's engineering community will host a sold out, one-day conference to help define the direction of government relations for the engineering profession and encourage community and government involvement by professional engineers. More than 130 delegates are registered to attend.

"It is exciting to host this conference during an Ontario election in which seven professional engineers and one Engineering Intern representing all four major parties are running for office," said Oakville engineer and conference co-chair Darla Campbell, P.Eng.

Under the theme Gaining Momentum, the Engineering Government Relations conference will be hosted by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), Engineers Canada, Consulting Engineers of Ontario and the Engineering Student Societies' Council of Ontario. Guest speakers include:

• Brian Gaston, P.Eng, former Assistant Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Transportation
• Terry Fallis, author of the award winning book, The Best Laid Plans
• Sean Conway, Fellow in the School of Policy Studies at Queen's University and former Ontario Minister of Education (via teleconference)
• Alison Loat, co-founder and Executive Director at Samara, an organization dedicated to improving democracy in Canada
• Doris Grinspun, RN, MSN, PhD, LLD(hon), O.ONT., Executive Director, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario
• Event details are as follows:

What:	Gaining Momentum - Engineering Government Relations conference
When:	Monday, September 12, 2011
	8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where:	Mississauga Grand Banquet Hall, 35 Brunel Rd., Mississauga, ON
RSVP:	Members of the media are welcome to attend this event but must RSVP
	to David Smith at 416-840-1068 or dsmith@peo.on.ca.

"Interest in this event has been overwhelming," added conference co-chair and PEO Ottawa Chapter executive member Jonathon Risto, P.Eng. "We have already received registrations from engineers as far away as BC, Alberta and the Northwest Territories."

For registration information, contact: Susan Wall, Supervisor, Conference Facilities and Events Management at swall@peo.on.ca. For program questions, contact: Jeannette Chau, P.Eng., Manager, Student and Government Liaison Programs at jchau@peo.on.ca.

About Professional Engineers Ontario

Through the Professional Engineers Act, PEO governs over 80,000 licence and certificate holders and regulates professional engineering in Ontario to serve and protect the public. Professional engineering safeguards life, health, property, economic interests, the public welfare and the environment. Professional engineers can be identified by the P.Eng. after their names.