Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Ontario (ACEC-Ontario) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, commemorating five decades of leadership in advancing the province’s consulting engineering industry. Since its founding in 1975, the association has been at the forefront of shaping Ontario’s infrastructure, driving innovation, and advocating for fair business practices and regulatory reform.
Mark Tulloch, 2024-2025 chair of ACEC-Ontario, reflected on the association’s long-standing impact: “Celebrating 50 years of progress, ACEC-Ontario stands behind the transformative power of consulting engineering in shaping Ontario’s infrastructure and communities.
As we honour our legacy, we remain steadfast in driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and championing a future of growth and resilience for our member firms and the communities we serve.”
From its early days, ACEC-Ontario has been a tireless advocate for the consulting engineering profession. In 1989, the association partnered with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Technology to focus on improving business conditions for consulting engineers. This early advocacy laid the foundation for ACEC-Ontario’s continued role as a key influencer in Ontario’s infrastructure development.
Over the decades, the association has celebrated numerous milestones, including the first Agreement for Professional Consulting Services with the Municipal Engineers Association in 1991, which has been updated regularly, with the latest agreement finalized in 2024. ACEC-Ontario also highlighted the critical role of consulting engineers in public safety during the Walkerton Inquiry, pioneered qualifications-based selection processes with Metrolinx, and advocated for fair consultant selection systems with the Ministry of Transportation.
The association has also influenced major legislation like the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act, which shapes the future of the province’s infrastructure development.
ACEC-Ontario has long been committed to recognizing engineering excellence, including its continued stewardship of the Ontario Engineering Project Awards (OEPA), which has celebrated outstanding engineering projects for nearly 25 years. The association also supports ongoing professional development for its members, including the launch of EngineeringCPD.ca to help staff meet the Professional Engineers Ontario’s PEAK requirements.
Looking ahead, ACEC-Ontario is committed to advancing innovation and sustainability within the consulting engineering sector. The association’s recent initiatives include publishing its first-ever Climate Change Position Statement, securing a commitment from the City of Ottawa to reform its procurement policies, and launching vibrant Network Programs focused on diversity, sustainability, and transportation issues.
“Our recent successes—such as hosting nearly 500 participants in our Procurement Pathways webinar—reflect our commitment to fostering relationships that will drive resilient growth for Ontario,” said Tulloch. “We are also continuing to build stronger municipal partnerships and furthering the legacy of the Ontario Engineering Project Awards to celebrate and elevate the work of our members.”
“Our dedication to fostering these relationships ensures that consulting engineers remain central to Ontario’s infrastructure and economic development,” said ACEC-Ontario’s executive director, Andrew Hurd. “We thank our members, volunteers, and partners for their continued leadership and support, which has propelled us forward and helped build positive momentum in advocacy efforts.”
Today, ACEC-Ontario represents about 140 consulting engineering firms that collectively employ over 27,000 Ontarians. These firms contribute more than $10 billion annually to Ontario’s economy through their work in infrastructure, design, and consulting services.
“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, ACEC-Ontario remains committed to shaping the future of Ontario through excellence, innovation, and collaboration,” concluded Hurd. “Together, we will continue to Engineer Ontario Forward, ensuring a future defined by resilient, sustainable communities.”