Savouring thirty-something years of standards success

2005-11-07

On October 14, 2005, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) celebrated both its 35th anniversary and World Standards Day. To mark this significant milestone, SCC staff and more than 100 invited guests representing Canadian industry, government, consumers and academia took part in a day of workshops, networking and celebration at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Ottawa.

The event highlighted the important work of the SCC and the dynamic relationships it has developed and nurtured over the past 35 years in its role at the helm of Canada’s National Standards System (NSS).

The festivities commenced with a welcome address by Executive Director Peter Clark, who in addition to thanking the SCC’s “many true friends” for being part of the day, also took the opportunity to reiterate the 2005 World Standards Day theme “Standards for a Safer World”. 

“For the last 35 years, the SCC has been promoting and supporting the development and use of standards, not only to make Canada a friendlier, healthier and safer place to live, but also a more prosperous one,” said Clark.

Central to the day’s agenda were four unique workshops aimed at increasing understanding about the SCC and fostering discussion about the important standards-related issues impacting Canadians.

Focus your future on standards: Get Involved!, was the title of the interactive presentation delivered by SCC advisory committee member and Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) Acting Director Chantal Marin-Comeau. The 90 minute workshop provided attendees with an introduction to the SCC and the National Standards System, highlighting the various opportunities for Canadians to become involved in the process, and looking at the support and recognition provided by the SCC for “Members”.

SCC Chairman Hugh Krentz led a workshop on the topic of The Business of Standards, which looked at the increasingly important role for standards and conformity assessment in helping industries and companies of all types and sizes to fulfill their financial and social responsibilities in a global marketplace. Drawing on international research into the “value of standardization”, the presentation outlined the tangible benefits to Canadian industry of becoming actively involved in standards-related work.

The Consumer Point of View was the focus of the workshop led by Jeanne Bank, member of SCC’s advisory committee on Consumer and Public Interest (CPIC) and Manager, Consumer Program, External Affairs at the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Drawing on examples of where existing standards that have been initiated by consumers for consumers, the presentation highlighted the vital role for this diverse segment of society in standardization.

Working Towards Smart Regulation took a panel approach to the subject of increasing recognition for standards and conformity assessment among regulators in order to contribute to cost-effective and flexible regulations. Ken Moore, Senior Policy Analyst, Privy Council Office, Implementation Strategy for Smart Regulation (ISSR), provided an update on the federal government’s Smart Regulation initiative, while SCC’s Directors of Conformity Assessment and Standards,  Pat Paladino and Michel Bourassa, underscored the advantages of integrating standardization into regulatory policy.

A large number of participants attended the sessions, and overall feedback was very positive. The knowledge level of speakers and ample opportunities for the audience to pose questions and provide comments were among the many positive comments received. This was further reflected in the 87 per cent satisfaction rating for the overall event provided by those participants that completed an event evaluation form (21 per cent of attendees).

The event was also an opportunity for guests to network and learn more about each other. In total, eight organizations (including the SCC) set up booths in the main meeting area to exhibit their programs. The other exhibitors were:

Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC); Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB); IHS Canada; ICT Standards Advisory Council of Canada (ISAAC); Standards Engineering Society (SES); National Research Council; and Ulrich Metrology.

SCC 35th anniversary event

The delivery of congratulatory messages to the SCC from a number of its partners was another memorable moment during the day. Among the speakers were a former SCC staff member Rae Dulmage, now Director of Standards at ULC:

 “Most significant are the people over the years who have made it all work. Without dedicated people, the system cannot function and would not survive. Look around the SCC and you will see the indelible mark that has been made by its staff. The SCC continues to have a great group of people who are dedicated to the tasks before them.”

Also a former SCC employee, Diane Thompson of the Standards Engineering Society shared what the SCC means to her.

“The Standards Council of Canada has always had an excellent reputation internationally. Wherever I travel in the world, I am proud to say that I worked at the SCC. Congratulations to the staff of the Council and to the many contributors to Canada’s National Standards System on this 35th anniversary. I am honoured to have been a part of your history,” said Thompson.

Likewise, CGSB’s outgoing director Bill Cunnigham, who has also worked closely with the SCC for many years, had kind words for the organization and its dedicated staff.

“We at the Canadian General Standards Board have had a wonderful relationship with the Standards Council from its birth through its adolescence to its current stature as a “thirty-something” to be reckoned with. We congratulate the SCC on this anniversary.”

SCC celebrates 35 years.

Yet another highlight of the day was an award ceremony, presided over by the SCC’s executive director, to recognize service by SCC staff.  In total, 11 staff members were honoured for their dedication to the organization over the periods of five, ten, fifteen and twenty years.

“Employees who have dedicated many years of service to the SCC are those whose knowledge, expertise, and mentoring is sought out; they deserve our gratitude and recognition,” said Clark.

Together, the workshops, exhibits, speeches, awards and networking, all served to emphasize that which has most significantly contributed to the SCC’s achievements in standardization over the last three-and-a-half decades: its ability to forge strong and lasting relationships. The day was capped off with cake and coffee, and a wish for another 35 years of sweet success for the Standards Council of Canada.

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