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Measurement Canada's Standing Committees
What are Measurement Canada’s Standing Committees?
Measurement Canada’s (MC) Standing Committees are specialized groups that have the mandate to address technical or alternative service delivery issues. There are currently five Standing Committees; four technical committees and the Alternative Service Delivery committee, compromised of MC staff from the five regions and from headquarters. The members of the technical committees have expertise and responsibilities in the measurement disciplines for which the Standing Committees have been formed. These disciplines are: Gas Measurement; Volumetric Measurement; Gravimetric Measurement; and Commodities.
What types of issues do the technical Standing Committees address?
Each technical Standing Committee is responsible for addressing technical and operational issues in its area of expertise that affect MC’s ability to deliver its services and programs. For example, the Gas Measurement Standing Committee deals with day-to-day issues relevant to the gas measurement program. Additionally, these Committees are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the various, regulatory requirements, policies and inspection procedures used by Measurement Canada in carrying out its responsibilities.
What decisions do the technical Standing Committees make?
These Standing Committees make decisions and recommendations to provide uniformity in the interpretation of regulations and the implementation of MC programs. This includes making recommendations to adopt regulations, specifications, or policies and adopting or modifying inspection procedures, guidelines or techniques in order to conduct work more efficiently. The Standing Committees provide both an organization-wide and a nation-wide perspective that greatly assists in the development and implementation of MC’s programs.
What decisions does the Alternative Service Delivery Standing Committee make?
The Alternative Service Delivery Standing Committee makes decisions and recommendations to provide uniformity in the interpretation of alternative service delivery (ASD) requirements and policies and in the implementation of MC’s ASD programs. This includes adopting or modifying requirements, procedures, guidelines or techniques for conducting audits more efficiently. The Standing Committee provides both an organization-wide and a nation-wide perspective that greatly assists in the development and implementation of MC’s three alternative service delivery programs; accreditation, registration and delegation of authority.
What challenges face the Standing Committees when they make decisions?
Not all decisions are easy to make, or to implement. The Standing Committees must examine and account for the diverse groups that are both influenced and affected by the recommendations they make. These include MC’s clients, consumers, other government agencies and departments, and MC operations. Additionally, the Standing Committees work within the existing legal framework which MC is charged with administering and enforcing. While it is difficult to change these laws, the Standing Committees can make recommendations if they believe it will enhance the operational effectiveness of the Canadian legal metrology system and benefit those who are affected by the work conducted by MC.
What are the roles and responsibilities of the technical Standing Committee members?
Program Officers from MC’s Program Development Directorate and Innovative Services Directorate serve as Chairpersons for meetings of the standing committees and make recommendations when consensus becomes a challenge. The Program Officers’ input often reflects international considerations, a national overview and inter-departmental concerns. Program Officers also issue meeting minutes and serve as the link between the Standing Committee and the Vice Presidents of the Program Development Division and the Innovative Services Directorate.
MC Engineers involved in Standing Committees provide input on engineering and technical considerations, as well as international considerations.
The Technical Coordinator from the Approval Services Laboratory offers insight and perspective on issues relating to the type approval process, including client-related issues and concerns.
The Specialists from MC’s five regions also provide input on client perspectives and concerns, as well as sharing their knowledge of technical, practical and administrative issues relating to the inspection and enforcement activities undertaken by MC.
Who are the Standing Committee Chairs?
Alternative Service Delivery Standing Committee
Chairperson: Dale Bieber
E-mail Address: Dale Bieber
Commodity Standing Committee
Chairperson: Doug Hutchinson
E-mail Address: Doug Hutchinson
Gas Measurement Standing Committee
Chairperson: Ron Willms
E-mail Address: Ron Willms
Gravimetric Standing Committee
Chairperson: Luciano Burtini
E-mail Address: Luciano Burtini
Volumetric Standing Committee
Chairperson: Dennis Beattie
E-mail Address: Dennis Beattie
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Measurement Canada
