Southern Kings Construction / The Riverhouse Inn, Montague, PEI
On April 28, 2014, Kevan MacLean pleaded guilty on behalf of Southern Kings Construction Ltd. to an offence under the Engineering Profession Act. Southern Kings Construction Ltd. engaged in the practice of engineering without holding a certificate of authorization from the Association of Professional Engineers of the Province of Prince Edward Island. Chief Judge John Douglas imposed a fine of $2,500.
Southern Kings Construction Ltd. was the general contractor responsible for the design and construction of The Riverhouse Inn in Montague, Prince Edward Island. The Association received a complaint about the services being provided by Southern Kings Construction Ltd. and, after a full investigation, filed charges in the Provincial Court. The Riverhouse Inn is a four-storey hotel with thirty guest rooms. It opened to the public on January 17, 2014.
The Engineering Profession Act requires that any person or company practicing engineering in Prince Edward Island to be properly licensed by the Association. First offences can result in fines of up to $5,000. The Association is responsible for investigating complaints under the Act and prosecuting offending individuals and corporations.
One of the purposes of the Association is to protect the public by ensuring that engineering services are provided by competent and licensed professional engineers. Most buildings designed for public use require the services of a professional engineer. In this case, certain engineering works and services were completed by Southern Kings Construction Ltd. contrary to the Engineering Profession Act. The concern for public safely resulted in Southern Kings Construction Ltd. being charged and prosecuted.
While private prosecutions under the Engineering Profession Act are rare, the Association says that they serve as an important reminder for members of the public to ensure that engineering services are being provided by a licensed engineer. Licensed Engineers of the Association are available to the public and are published online at its website: http://www.engineerspei.com/node/298
Media Contact: Jim Landrigan, P.Eng., M.B.A, Executive Director / Registrar
Phone Number: 902-566-1268
E-Mail: info@engineerspei.com