Safety Codes Council CEO Departure

For immediate release: March 10, 2023

President and Chief Executive Officer Amina Deiab has announced that she will be moving on from the Safety Codes Council (Council) after being in the role since August 10, 2020.

Katie Rowe, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Policy and Governance, has been named Acting President and Chief Executive Officer, effective March 10, 2023. Katie will remain in the role until a new President and CEO is recruited.

“I am excited to be taking on the role of acting President and CEO until a permanent candidate is found. I am committed to maintaining focus and momentum on the Council’s strategic plan and business initiatives. I am fortunate to be well-supported as I transition into this new role, with much gratitude to the transformational direction created by Amina and the Board, the dedication and positive energy of our employees, and the strength of our partnerships with stakeholders and Municipal Affairs,” said Katie Rowe.

Over the last two and a half and years, Amina led the Council through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring staff safety while leading a significant transformation to become a purpose-driven, stakeholder-focused, and values-led regulatory organization.

“The Safety Codes Council has underwent significant transformational changes under Amina’s leadership and she has set a new future-forward vision for the Council as an outcomes-based, data informed, risk -based regulator” said Jill Mathew, Chair, Board of Directors. “The Board of Directors, appreciates the work that Amina has led over the past two and a half years and we wish her well in her future endeavors.”

“I am immensely proud of all that we have accomplished together, and am optimistic about the path the Council is on. I am deeply grateful to the staff of the Council and the tireless volunteers that comprise the Council’s 12 sub-councils. It has been such a privilege to work alongside such extraordinary people with talent, drive, and passionate commitment to those we serve in Alberta’s safety code system”, said Amina. “I was empowered to make my decision because of the strength of the leadership team in Safety Codes Council. It has been a real honor”.

Some of the key achievements and results that the Safety Codes Council has achieved under Amina’s leadership include:

• In conjunction with the Board Chair, and as the first woman CEO in Council’s 30-year history, championing diversity and inclusion at the Board of Directors and organizational level resulting in:
  • The Board of Directors achieving gender parity in 2021, from 100% male board members in 2017.
  • Council’s Executive Leadership Team currently reflecting gender and ethnic diversity.

• Developing the Council’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, developed with input from safety code system stakeholders across Alberta, which was published for the first time in Council’s history.

• Building an executive team that brought new skills and competencies to the Council to support the delivery of the Council’s mandate and execution of the Council’s 2021- 2025 Strategic Plan, including regulatory, governance, stakeholder and government engagement, policy, performance measurement, and enterprise risk management expertise.

• Building collaborative relationships with regulators across Canada culminating in:
  • A leadership role in the execution of a historic MOU among nine signatories across Canada to lead harmonization and development of a single standard for Power Engineering and Power Plant Ratings.
  • The signing of two MOUs with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta to reduce red tape and increase transparency and public safety for Albertans.

• Expanding stakeholder engagements to reflect the diverse perspectives of rural and urban stakeholders across the province resulting in over 100 new stakeholders engaged by the Council in 2022, including the engagement surrounding the 2020 Building Code Adoption on Large Farm Buildings and Energy Tiers and the Accreditation Program Review.

• Integrating a new and significant regulatory mandate with the dissolution of the Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta, including oversight of inspections, testing, and maintenance to over 10,000 active storage tanks in unaccredited areas of Alberta.

• Investing in technology modernization and digitization to reduce red tape to invest in the foundational platform tools and IT systems that support the Council’s mandate delivery and client services.

• • In 2022, the E-Services Platform was launched. With the platform in place, 5,000 storage tanks systems clients are able to independently apply for and access their site’s operating permits electronically, and storage tank system client facing processes are simplified, automated, and faster.

• Launching Safety Codes Officer Curriculum Modernization to ensure Alberta’s Safety Codes Officers will be prepared to inspect Alberta’s built environment that is rapidly evolving due to technological and upcoming building code changes.

• Championing the use of data and metrics to increase public accountability and transparency- the Council’s 2023 published Business Plan will have outcomes and publically reported metrics that reflect the Council’s regulatory mandate, a first for the Council.

• Developing a financial sustainability framework benchmarked against other regulatory agencies in the safety code system to help ensure the Council’s long-term financial sustainability.

• Launching an internal governance review and setting a strong “tone from the top” to strengthen corporate governance, accountability and transparency, including re-developing a robust Code of Conduct and Ethics policy.

The Board of Directors recognizes each member of Council staff provided key contributions to these accomplishments and thanks staff for the work they do every day to support Alberta’s safety code system.

“We are confident in the strength of the Council’s executive leadership team and will be supporting Katie through this transition; we are committed to continued support for the current positive direction and momentum of the Council,” said Jill Matthew.