Monday, May 5, 2025
The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Ontario (ACEC-Ontario) hosted its annual Ontario Engineering Project Awards (OEPA) on the evening of May 1st at the Eglinton Grand in Toronto. The OEPA gala celebrates excellence within Ontario’s consulting engineering community, and this year’s event was especially significant as ACEC-Ontario celebrates its 50th anniversary.
This year’s gala was the most well-attended in the association’s history, underscoring the strength and vibrancy of the industry. ACEC-Ontario was honoured to welcome several distinguished guests, including Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor–Tecumseh, who delivered remarks recognizing the essential role of consulting engineers in shaping Ontario’s future.
“Our members play a vital role in building a stronger Ontario,” said Andrew Hurd, Executive Director of ACEC-Ontario. “They deliver critical expert engineering advice and services to businesses and all levels of government, solving complex problems and enabling well-informed decisions that support a thriving, resilient society. The OEPA program exists to celebrate these accomplishments.”
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Willis Chipman Award, the highest honour of the OEPA program. This year, the award was presented to Parsons for their work on Gordie Howe International Bridge design and construction.
“This project exemplifies the pinnacle of consulting engineering excellence,” stated Mark Tulloch, Chair, 2024-2025 ACEC-Ontario Board and CEO of TULLOCH. “It navigates the complexities of cross-border communication, technical specifications, politics, and environmental considerations. It stands as a symbol of the future—connecting our largest trading partners and meeting the needs of generations to come.”
As ACEC-Ontario marks five decades of leadership and advocacy, the OEPA continues to spotlight the innovation, collaboration, and technical brilliance that member firms bring to infrastructure projects across the province—projects that improve lives, foster economic growth, and build a better Ontario. The OEPA grants ten Awards of Distinction each year. This year’s awards were presented to:
| ACEC-Ontario Member | Project |
| AtkinsRéalis Canada Inc. | Pilot Scale Remediation System for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contaminated Groundwater |
| BBA | Napanee Battery Energy Storage System Phase 1 (250 MW) |
| CIMA+ | Interconnection of the Union and Windsor Water Systems |
| Egis Canada Ltd. | Revitalizing Heritage Infrastructure: Preserving the Touchette Bridge’s 70-Year Legacy |
| HH Angus and Associates Limited | Mount Sinai Phase 3A Redevelopment |
| LEA Consulting Ltd. | Development of a Flood Risk Assessment Model for Infrastructure in York Region |
| R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited | Halton Region’s Ashgrove Pumping Station and Georgetown South Water and Wastewater Mains – Delivering Lake-Based Drinking Water to Georgetown South |
| Stantec Consulting Ltd. | QEW/Glendale Avenue Interchange Reconstruction, Design-Build Project |
| TULLOCH | Magino Gold Mine – Construction QA/QC Program |
| WSP Canada Inc. | Attawapiskat First Nation Water Shortage Emergency |
The OEPA program has evolved to include new categories that reflect the changing landscape of consulting engineering in Ontario. Smaller firms make up the majority of businesses in the province, supporting communities in meaningful and lasting ways. To celebrate their contributions, ACEC-Ontario has introduced the ‘Small Firm, Big Impact Award,’ recognizing companies with fewer than 100 employees that make an outsized impact through their work. Three honours were given this year to:
| ACEC-Ontario Member | Project |
| 4Sight Utility Engineers | Strategic Application of MCGPR (Multi-Channel Ground Penetrating Radar) Technology in Utility Coordination and Beyond |
| John G. Cooke & Associates Ltd. | City Registry Office Relocation |
| D.M. Wills Associates Limited | Peterborough Organics Facility |
The Sustainable Development Impact Award recognizes the project that best demonstrates the three pillars of sustainable development: society, environment and economy. This award was presented to R.V. Anderson Associates Limited for their Deep Lake Water Cooling Expansion Project. R.V. Anderson Associates Limited who served as the Owner’s Lead Technical Representative on a major infrastructure expansion that supports Toronto’s TransformTO climate strategy.
While the consulting engineering industry’s external impact is worth celebrating, the award for Internal Innovation shines a spotlight on the progress and teams that shape people behind the future of consulting engineering. This year the award went toHH Angus and Associates Limited for their Building Careers, Driving Innovation initiative. HH Angus and Associates Limited is known for its consistently low voluntary staff turnover and a healthy boomerang rate of employees who choose to return, due to their focus on people strategies.
Finally, a new award category, the Resilient Future Award, was introduced by the 2025 OEPA jury panel, who felt there was a project that deserved special recognition.The Resilient Future Award, presented to Stantec for itsYukon Highways Climate Risk Assessment and Action Plan, honours an innovative project that strengthens communities through enhanced sustainability, adaptability, and long-term infrastructure resilience.
Featured image: The ACEC-Ontario Willis Chipman Award was presented to Parsons for their work on Gordie Howe International Bridge design and construction. (ACEC-Ontario)
