Kim Farwell works for Syncrude Canada Ltd. and has lived in Fort McMurray for the past 15 years. She is respected as an industry expert in commercial bitumen extraction processes and her career has provided many opportunities including operations, research, projects and management. Kim is currently the Technical Lead for the Hydroprocessing Business Team.

Kim graduated in 1995 with a B.A.Sc. in chemical engineering from the University of Waterloo. She completed the Masters level Certificate in Oilsands Technology through the University of Alberta in 1998. She received an MBA from the University of Alberta in 2002 and was class valedictorian.

She received the APEGGA Summit Award® for Early Accomplishment in 2002 in addition to the APEGGA Voluntary Service Award.

As a Fort McMurray community leader, Kim participates in a wide variety of volunteer activities in addition to her board appointments. She is involved with local politics at all levels and was a campaign manager during the recent federal election. Kim stays fit by kayaking, skiing and yoga and enjoys the outdoors.

APEGGA Activities

President-Elect (2009-present)

Member, Finance Committee (2009-present)

Chair, Strategic Planning Committee (2009-present)

Member, Geoscience Committee (2009-present)

Member, Public Interest Issues Committee (2008-present)

Member, Strategic Planning Committee (2005)

Member, Inclusivity Task Force (2003-2004)

Chair, Regulatory Task Force (2003-2004)

Member, Council (2002-2005)

Chair, Fort McMurray Branch (2002-2003)

Member (1996-present)

Affiliations, Corporate or Community Service

Director, Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce (elected 2008 for two-year term)

President, Electoral District Association (2007-present)

Volunteer, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation

Volunteer, Extraction & Distillation Be Safe Committee

Member, Lower Townsite Area Redevelopment Plan Advisory Committee, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Is the concept of professional self-regulation of engineering and geoscience an outdated concept or an efficient and effective means of protecting public safety and well-being and the environment?
Professional self-regulation is an effective way to protect the public interest. It provides a high level of professional expertise in the regulation process while minimizing costs to the public. Governments are supportive and encouraging of self-regulation by engineers and geoscientists, and are looking to us to lead the way for other professions.

Should the need to facilitate international mobility of skilled knowledge workers to ensure Canada’s continued well-being and prosperity outweigh the need for due-diligence in evaluating the education and experience of internationally educated applicants for professional licenses?
This is a matter of public interest, which means it requires consideration and balance. It is important to maintain the high standards for professional status in Canada. We are creating defined national standards – these will be easier to present internationally. The Canadian standards are not unreasonable and are achievable without impacting our prosperity. However, the main issue is misinformation and although this is being addressed it will continue to be a challenge.