Jim Smith was raised in Edmonton graduating in chemical engineering from the University of Alberta in 1972. 

Jim had a successful 32-year career with Procter and Gamble and Weyerhaeuser leading engineering and construction organizations and operations management in their manufacturing organizations in Alberta and Southeast US. He had a wide range of senior leadership roles in plant and corporate systems design, business planning and organization development. Recently he led the creation of a partnership between the local regional economic development alliance and college to create the Centre for Research and Innovation. 

Since 1999, he has undertaken several roles in Engineers Canada to increase his knowledge of our national organization and its Constituent Members. This included Canadian Engineering Qualifications Board committees as Vice-Chair and Chair and he continues as a member of their committees. Since retiring, he has been an active volunteer including APEGGA Councillor and Vice-President. He is involved in Branch activities and has been a member of APEGGA’s Board of Examiners since 1993. His goal is to serve the profession in provincial and national organizations utilizing his strengths in leading diverse groups. He is committed to sustaining our reputation as a role model for self-regulated professions.

Jim and his wife Janet live in Grande Prairie with two children in graduate studies and chemical engineering at the University of Alberta and one high school student. Jim enjoys family time, acreage living, music and creative people.

APEGGA Activities

Vice-President, Council  (2008)

Member, Finance Committee (2007)

Member, Governance Committee and Strategic Planning Committee (2006-2008)

Member, Council (2006-2007) 

Member, Board of Examiners (1993-present)

Member (1972-present)

Mentor, Mentoring Program

Affiliations, Corporate or Community Service

Chair, Wapiti River Region (Land Use) Steering Team (2008-present)

Member, Consulting Engineers of Alberta Board (2008)

Chair, Grande Prairie College Foundation Board (2003-2009)

Executive Director, Peace Region Economic Development Alliance – Innovation Network (2003-2007)

Chair, Canadian Engineering Qualifications Board and Engineers Canada Committees (2000-present)

Past Director, Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce and United Way

Rotarian and volunteer, minor hockey and soccer coach and school parent council and committees

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?
Self-regulation is a very efficient and effective means of protecting public interests. Government’s role is establishing laws and regulations. APEGGA is responsible for regulating professionals who serve the public. Our Professional Members have excelled at establishment and enforcement of high standards for ethics, competency, practice and professional development.  These standards are essential to the profession’s integrity and are most effectively managed by practicing, knowledgeable professionals. APEGGA is a national self-regulated profession role model.

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?
Expediting international mobility without regard for professional competency does not serve the public’s interest. APEGGA must work with governments and licensing organizations to ensure individuals are treated fairly and evaluated against national standards. Over time, additional methods of licensure may prove to be equivalent. APEGGA has a dual role to ensure applicants to our Board of Examiners are treated fairly and in a timely manner and to validate the competency of professionals licensed elsewhere.