Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has addressed concerns over the regulation of the title software engineer in the province. In a mandate letter to the Minister of Technology and Innovation, Smith instructed the minister to ensure appropriate governance of software engineers that would not hinder tech companies’ efforts to attract professionals from other regions.
The issue arose when the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) attempted to regulate the use of the title software engineer. APEGA argued that it had the legal right and obligation to restrict the practices of engineering and geoscience to licensed individuals and companies. This restriction included the use of the term software engineer.
In response, more than 30 signatories from leading technology companies in Alberta sent an open letter to Premier Smith, expressing their concerns about APEGA’s stance. The business leaders believed that the title software engineer was globally accepted and did not require regulation. They claimed that APEGA’s actions were hindering the competitiveness of Alberta’s tech industry.
The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI), an organization advocating for technological innovation, praised Premier Smith’s decision to address the issue. CCI President Benjamin Bergen stated that it was crucial to eliminate restrictive regulations and restore Alberta’s competitive advantage in the innovation economy.
APEGA acknowledged the potential nuances between the roles of software engineers and software developers in Canada. Dianne Johnstone, a senior advisor for APEGA, emphasized the association’s commitment to collaborating with the government to find a solution that supports technology innovation and economic growth in Alberta.
The startups that signed the open letter, including Benevity, Jobber, Neo Financial, and Samdesk, are now waiting to see how the government interprets Premier Smith’s mandate letter. They hope that the provincial government will explicitly permit the use of the term software engineer by tech companies, in addition to related terms.
Premier Smith’s mandate letter also outlined other goals for the Minister of Technology and Innovation. These goals include attracting venture capital to the province, leading the implementation of the Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy, and fostering the commercialization of new technologies to create more tech jobs and diversify Alberta’s economy.
In conclusion, Premier Danielle Smith has directed the Minister of Technology and Innovation to ensure appropriate governance of software engineers in Alberta, addressing concerns over the regulation of the title software engineer. The issue arose when APEGA attempted to restrict the use of the title, sparking opposition from leading technology companies in the province. The government is now tasked with finding a solution that supports technological innovation while maintaining the competitiveness of Alberta’s tech industry.
