Volume XIII, Issue I Autumn 2018 WILLOWDALE/THORNHILL CHAPTER

The Official Newsletter of the

Willowdale/Thornhill PEO Chapter. The Chronicle

The WTPEO executive gather at the licensing ceremony at the Thornhill Club, July 13, 2018.

OPEN PUBLICATION Visit us at

© 2018 WTPEO www.willowdalethornhill.peo.on.ca

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Willowdale/Thornhill PEO Executives

Officers

Chair Nanda Lwin, P.Eng. [email protected]

Vice Chair Rana Tehrani Yekta, P.Eng. [email protected]

Past Chair Nick Shelton, P.Eng. [email protected]

Secretary Andrew Herbst, P.Eng. [email protected]

Treasurer Souheila Bardakji, P.Eng. [email protected]

Committee Chairs

Chair Licence Presentations Andrew Herbst, P.Eng. [email protected] Government Liaison Program (GLP) John Penaranda, P.Eng. [email protected] Chair Education Alan Lam, EIT [email protected] Chair Programs; Co-Chair GLP Shayan Sepiani, P.Eng. [email protected] Chair EIT/LAP Maziyar Bolour, P.Eng. [email protected] Chair Publication Jackson Christian, EIT [email protected] Chair Electronic Media Mammad Horriyat, P.Eng. [email protected] Chair Awards Mohinder Grover, P.Eng. [email protected]

Additional Board Members

Co-Chair EIT/LAP; Programs Jason Chan, P.Eng. [email protected] Co-Chair Awards Amit Gupta, P.Eng. [email protected] Co-Chair Electronic Media Amin Mali, P.Eng. [email protected]

Member Hamdy El Arabi, P. Eng. [email protected] Member Tony Chiu, P.Eng. [email protected] Member Debasis Dey, P.Eng. [email protected]

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Chair’s Message

Chair Nanda Lwin, P.Eng., FEC, at Seneca College, April 4, 2018.

Autumn is now upon us, the leaves on the trees , MPP, and , MPP, who were are changing colour, and we couldn't be elected in the ridings of Willowdale and Don happier. Valley North, respectively. We also welcome back incumbent , MPP, in Thornhill. As you may know the operations of PEO is I had the pleasure of being invited by PEO to intrinsically intertwined with the comings and attend the swearing in of the Progressive goings of the provincial government. With a Conservative government and Premier Doug change in government at Queen's Park after the Ford at Queen's Park, on June 29th, as well as June 7th election, we have tried to make sense of the throne speech on July 12th. It was a great what this means to our operations not only at PEO opportunity for me to meet some of the new but also in Willowdale and Thornhill. We welcome

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MPP's, including Jessica Bell (NDP, University- Rosedale), Belinda Karahalios (PC, Cambridge), We offered two seminars to our members in (PC, Lakeshore) and the past few months. We presented one (NDP, Toronto-St. Paul). I also had seminar on the climate change and the Paris an engaging conversation with the Accord in May, and another about failure aforementioned Mr. Ke, who was elected as a analysis in June. PC in Don Valley North. And before I leave the topic of politics, I would be remiss if I didn’t I also attended PEO's East Central regional mention that our own Andrew Herbst, P.Eng., meeting, along with my colleagues Debasis Dey, who is currently secretary, is running for P.Eng., and Alan Lam, EIT, in Barrie, June 9th. Toronto city council in the October 22nd We discussed a variety of issues facing the municipal election. Herbst is running in his chapters in our part of the province. home ward, Ward 18, Willowdale. All the best. Finally, I want to tell you how grateful and In April, Vice Chair Rana Tehrani Yekta, P.Eng., honoured to be acclaimed as your chair on and I attended PEO's annual general meeting March 12th. If you've seen my name in this and Order of Honour ceremony here in space before, it's probably because this is my Toronto. Two former members of the Willow- second time serving as chair. I previously dale/Thornhill family were honoured at the served in the position from 2011 to 2013 and latter event. Changiz Sadr, P.Eng., FEC, who had such a great time that I had to do it once served as chair from 2009 to 2011, and Jeanette again! I want to thank the executive for its M. Southwood, P.Eng., FEC, who served on the support. I particularly want to pay homage to executive of Willowdale/Thornhill, were among my predecessor Nicholas Shelton, P.Eng., for his six inducted as officers into the Order of guidance and leadership these past two years. Honour. Having served twice, I realize in a very profound

way the demands of being chair, so I do A licensing ceremony held on July 13th at the appreciate his service to our chapter. Thornhill Club welcomed 43 new professional engineers into our profession. We also welcomed PEO vice president Marisa Sterling, Until next time, please visit our website and do P.Eng., as she offered the evening’s keynote ad- not hesitate to contact me at dress. From an administrative point of view, we [email protected] if you have feedback or tried new things: we used the services of a disc concerns. jockey, introduced recipients by reading small bios on them, and publicly introduced the Nanda Lwin (Mr.), P.Eng., FEC executive. Chair, Willowdale/Thornhill PEO Chapter

The Chronicle publishes articles of interest Thornhill Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) Chapter.

The content of this newsletter does not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Willowdale- Thornhill PEO Chapter. The chapter or PEO do not assume responsibility for the opinions expressed herein.

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Committee Updates

A brief overview of recent chapter events, as reported by WTPEO committee chairs.

Annual General Meeting Held

WTPEO’s annual general meeting was held on February 27th at Pleasant View Library in Willowdale. The meeting, chaired by then chair Nicholas Shelton, P.Eng., included reports from the individual committee chairs, and questions form the audience regarding the operations of the chapter. Also, the new executive was introduced (see page 2 for a list of the entire executive). Sixteen candidates were nominated and declared elected, well below the maximum of 20, as stated in WTPEO’s by-laws. Detailed minutes of the AGM will be posted at www.wtpeo.org in due time. (A.H.)

Willowdale/Thornhill Hosts Two Seminars

WTPEO hosted two popular presentations at the Thornhill Community Centre this spring. Canada’s Commitment in Achieving the Target of the Paris Agreement with Clean Energy, presented by Nan Ge of the University of Toronto, delved into the engineering implications of the Paris Agreement, an international accord reached in 2015 with a common goal to stop climate change. Those in attendance at the May 1st presentation discussed such topics as Canada’s commitment to minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, clean energy technologies, and vehicles powered by fuel cells. Unusual Failure Patterns and Innovative Approaches to Failure Analysis, presented by Dr. Erhan Ulvan on June 6th, offered analysis of conventional approaches to studying failure patterns as well as explored new methods. Throughout the evening, guests discussed how to deal with unusual engineering failures along with possible approaches to determine root causes. (S.S.)

Dr. Erhan Ulvan talks during his seminar, Unusual Failure Patterns and Innovative Approaches to Failure Analysis, on June 6, 2018, at Thornhill Community Centre.

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National Engineering Month Event Attracts Students were assessed according to such Students from Willowdale/Thornhill factors as performance, design and creativity, and presentation, and were credited for how WTPEO hosted the Air-Powered Drag-Race Car they spent play money that was given to them Competition, held at Zion Heights Middle to purchase components for their designs. School for students in grades 7 and 8, on (A.L.) March 3rd. The contest was held in celebration of National Engineering Month, Scholarship Winners to be Announced in celebrated annually every March. Students September from the Willowdale/Thornhill region learned about the design process behind miniature WTPEO is awarding three engineering drag race cars. Ultimately, they put their scholarships to three eligible secondary school designs to the test by seeing how far the cars students who gained admittance to an can travel. Students were able to develop their engineering program at the university level. own original designs, manage budgets, and The scholarships will be awarded to first place work as a team to work towards a common and two runner ups in the amount of $1,500, goal. and $1,000 each, respectively. Winners are expected to be announced by late September 2018. (A.L.)

WINNERS OF AIR POWERED DRAG-RACE CAR COMPETITION

PLACEMENT NAME SCHOOL NAME

1st Place Nisith DeSilva Zion Heights Middle School 1st Place Audrey Kim Zion Heights Middle School 1st Place Max Lu Highland Middle School 1st Place Thomas Wang Zion Heights Middle School 2nd Place Eric Wang Zion Heights Middle School 2nd Place Bryan Deng Zion Heights Middle School 2nd Place Nayan Liscombe Zion Heights Middle School 2nd Place Aaron Harnett Zion Heights Middle School

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS

NAME SCHOOL NAME WTPEO hosted the Air-Powered Monica Cao Zion Heights Middle School Drag-Race Car Competition at Zion Amy Li Zion Heights Middle School Heights Middle School in Willowdale, March 3, 2018.

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Willowdale/Thornhill Assists Engineering Interns

WTPEO continues its assistance program for engineering interns in the 2018-2019 season. The orientation session, held on April 24th at Thornhill Community Centre, included a presentation by Sami Lamrad, PEO’s EIT/student coordinator. Mr. Lamrad encouraged guides to attend future orientation session, so they can meet with their mentees. (M.B.)

Sami Lamrad makes his point at a meeting of WTPEO’s Licensing Assistance Program, on April 24, 2018, at Thornhill Community Centre.

Electronics Media Continues with its Mandate

The Electronic Media Committee continues keeping up with WTPEO’s technological needs. In the past few months, electronic invitations were created and sent to the membership, promoting the chapter’s seminars, ceremonies, student competitions among other events. In addition, the chapter’s website and electronic calendar have been updated. The committee continuously looks into new electronic media technologies and new features and upgrades will be made soon to the chapter’s website. Members can also find a list of the executive board members and read about the chapter’s activities through this interface. The membership is also encouraged to communicate and share their ideas by sending e-mail to the WTPEO’s committee chairs. (M.H.)

Penaranda, Shelton Recognized

WTPEO honoured two veteran executives recently. At the annual general meeting in March, then-chair Nicholas Shelton, P.Eng., was awarded a certificate of recognition for his leadership.

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We also recognized John Penaranda, P.Eng., with a certificate, along with a PEO pin for five years of volunteerism with the WTPEO. In committee news, we welcomed Amit Gupta, P.Eng., who was selected as vice chair of the Awards Committee. Mr. Gupta was previously the chapter’s vice chair.

The Award Committee’s mandate is to search for and encourage nominations for various internal PEO awards as well as awards offered by external community organizations. They include PEO’s Order of Honour, PEO Engineering Excellence Awards, G. Gordon M. Sterling Engineering Intern Award, Ontario Volunteer Service, and PEO Volunteer Service Recognition. The Awards Committee also identifies and recognizes volunteers for work which goes above and beyond what is expected of them. (M.G.)

WTPEO Welcomes New MPP’s

The June 7th election brought about change in Ontario and in Willowdale/Thornhill. Stan Cho was elected in the riding of Willowdale, Vincent Ke was elected in Don Valley North, while incumbent Gila Martow was re-elected in Thornhill. All are members of the Progressive Conservative party. WTPEO intends to continue developing strong relationships with our local MPP’s and to provide them with PEO positions on matters relating to the profession. A “meet the MPP” reception is currently being planned.

March 1st was designated as Professional Engineers Day by the Ontario legislature this year. The day recognizes the fact the contributions of professional engineers as drivers of wealth, job creation, innovation, and productivity. Members of Willowdale/Thornhill were present to see the motion pass at Queen’s Park and to celebrate Professional Engineers Day. (J.P.)

Government liaison chair John Penaranda, P.Eng., was at Queen's Park on February 22, 2018, when the motion to recognize Professional Engineers Day was debated and passed by the Legislative Assembly.

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Willowdale/Thornhill Community Grieves By Jackson Christian, EIT

Toronto Strong After a long cold winter, and as the city was gearing up for spring, Toronto, and in particular the Willowdale/Thornhill community, experienced a horrifying incident that left them utterly terrified and shocked. On Monday, April 23, 2018, a 25-year-old man, rammed a rented van through the busy sidewalks of Yonge Street deliberately hitting pedestrians on its way, claiming the lives of 10 people, injuring 16 others and shattering the lives of many. This stretch of Yonge Street - a neighbourhood that boasts multiple office towers, condominiums, apartments, parks and squares, not to mention, a multitude of food joints - is always bustling with people and is known for its positive, upbeat, and peaceful setting. This is also where my home is, and I can testify how people from all demographics and cultures harmoniously live here, sharing a unique bond of love and respect. A true community.

#bravery As news unfolded about the attack, a dramatic Commendations poured in from around the video of the police officer apprehending the world praising how he handled his emotions in suspect surfaced online, drawing significant such a tense situation. We also are thankful for attention. Constable Ken Lam, who previously the bravery and the commitment that was worked as an engineer for 14 years, acted with shown by all the first responders and the people bravery and maturity, and was hailed as a hero, who put their lives in danger trying to save tactfully handcuffing the suspect without firing a others. shot.

#support In unity we find strength, and the community the investigation. Blood donations were displayed exactly that when they got together to received at Canadian Blood Services, and public support each other during this difficult time. funding platforms, such as GoFundMe There was an outpouring of love and sympathy campaigns, were created, raising over $2.5 from all over the city, Canada, and all around the million. world. One such campaign was initiated for a seven Families of the victims were assured that they year-old boy whose mother was killed in the were not alone. People showcased their attack. He is now left alone in this world without kindness and generosity towards these families his parents. The community responded to his and offered their help through various mediums plight by raising funds for his education and made available to them. Information gathering other future living expenses, thereby securing was crucial for this case and for that reason his future. A goal of $150,000 was set. The separate hotlines were set up for anonymous support and love was overwhelming, as the tips as well as for witnesses who wanted to assist campaign ended up raising nearly $360,000.

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#prayers Various temporary memorials were created in the City of Toronto on April 29th which was the aftermath of the attack. People stopped to attended by several thousand people. It began offer prayers and flowers, confirming that we, as with a giant march from Yonge and Finch and a community, are in this together. Various vigils ended with a gathering at Mel Lastman Square. were held where people of various faiths and Speaking at the gathering were community backgrounds stood together side by side. A small leaders; in attendance were Prime Minister vigil was held at Mel Lastman Square on the Justin Trudeau, Governor General Julie Payette, evening of April 24th. Another was held by the then-premier , Quebec Premier Toronto Korean Community Association on April Philippe Couillard, and Mayor John Tory. 27th. The "#TorontoStrong" vigil was held by

Remembering the Victims On April 27th, Toronto police released the names of the eight women and two men killed in the attack. WTPEO remembers the victims:

 Beutis Renuka Amarasinghe, 45, nutritionist  Andrea Bradden, 33, account executive  Geraldine Brady, 83, Avon saleswoman  So He Chung, 22, university student  Anne Marie D'Amico, 30, financial analyst  Mary Elizabeth Forsyth, 94, retiree  Chul Min "Eddie" Kang, 45, chef  Ji Hun Kim, 22, Seneca College student from South Korea  Munir Najjar, 85, Jordanian retiree visiting family  Dorothy Sewell, 80, retiree

We pray for those who lost their lives, and mourn their passing.

Community Portal

Everybody has a story to tell. If you reside in Willowdale/Thornhill and have unique ideas, stories, fun facts, or innovative thoughts to share with the engineering community, this is your opportunity. We encourage you to contact us. You may be published in the next issue of The Chronicle.

You can also advertise in our newsletters! Advertising rates are shown on page 12. If interested, just e- mail Jackson Christian, EIT, publications chair, at [email protected].

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