GLP input needed: BC survey on Qualified Professional Reliance before November 28

Dear PEA members,

Please take the time to complete the BC Government survey below.

The BC Ministry of Infrastructure is seeking feedback on a proposed Qualified Professional (QP) Reliance Model under the new Infrastructure Projects Act. Phase 2 of engagement is open July 21 – November 28, 2025, and includes an online survey.

The Infrastructure Projects Act is a new law in British Columbia that helps streamline provincial government decision-making for critical infrastructure projects. For projects designated as Provincial Capital or Provincially Significant, the Province will adopt a QP Reliance Model. This model will allow a non-PEA QP external to government to certify that the standards required to issue a permit have been met.

The PEA’s position is that this important work should be done by you, so that the BC Government would maintain oversight, retain decision-making power and grow in-house knowledge. If the BC Government were to fund QP work, public funds would be diverted from investing into in-house professional resources to contracting out.

This QP Reliance model represents a concerning shift from the current Professional Reliance model adopted in BC, where government licensed professionals have the responsibility and authority to review and make decisions on permit applications. By deferring decision-making power to contracted QPs, there is a risk the review of permit application may be inadequate and decisions may be affected by conflicts of interest. The QP Reliance model is also at odds with the recommendations of the Professional Reliance Review in the Natural Resource Sector (Haddock, 2018), which highlight the importance of having a government as a “knowledgeable owner” that exercises oversight on all decisions related to the management of the Province’s natural resources and infrastructure.

Here is the link to the survey:

Infrastructure Projects Act – govTogetherBC

The Province needs to hear the voice of government licensed professionals, as we understand the effective management of BC’s natural resources and infrastructure is possible only when the BC Government maintains adequate oversight and retains decision-making power.

Thank you for adding your voice.

In solidarity,

Dwayne Anderson
GLP Chapter Chair

Sarah Alloisio
GLP Professional Reliance Joint Task Force Chair

Andrea Mears
Labour Relations Officer