Join us for the CIMarE Annual General Meeting on May 13 at the Empress Hotel.
This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow members and take part in shaping the organization’s direction.
🕧 12:30–1:15 PM PST
📍 The Empress Hotel
Recent news
Annual General Meeting
2025 Marine Skills Competition Career Fair and Gala
2025 Marine Skills Competition Career Fair and Gala
Once again, this year, CIMarE Atlantic participated in the 5-6 Mar 2025 NSCC event. We had four members of the Atlantic Branch attend and the overall event was a great success. On March 5, at the Gala event, Don Levy as Atlantic Branch Chair presented scholarship awards to the Adam Rose ($1,000) and Alyra Halyn ($1,000). Over 200 staff, students, companies and guests attended the Gala and it was great to see such a professional event.
On 6 Mar 2025 the branch members set up a booth for CIMarE and there were several students, faculty and companies interested in CIMarE membership! Overall, a great event and time well spent by the Branch volunteers. Looking forward to doing the same all over again next year!!!
Marine Skills Competition – 5 Mar 2025
The Skills Competition brings together Navigation, Engineering and Bridge Watch cadets in team building exercises designed to test their knowledge and ability but also to help develop leadership skills and confidence as they prepare to enter the industry as qualified ships officers. Students will be teamed together to test their proficiencies where safety, knowledge of regulations and technical skills will be demonstrated and executed in stations such as Marine Engineering, Marine Navigation, Seamanship and Safety.
Expert Witnesses: The Superheroes of Witnesses
CIMarE ATLANTIC BRANCH INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR AN INFORMATIVE WEBINAR
DATE: Thursday, May 11th, 2023
TIME: 12:00 Atlantic (8:00 Pacific, 11:00 Eastern, 12:30 NFLD)
Location: Brightwood Golf and Country Club, https://www.brightwoodgolf.ca/
(In person) and GoTo Meeting Video Link through CIMarE.
Timing: 1215-1315 (Please arrive at 1200 as presenter will start at 1215)
Note: Clubhouse lunch will be available for purchase and delivered at 1315 once speaker finishes presenting and questions!!
Expert Witnesses: The Superheroes of Witnesses
Summary:
Norm Letalik presents a survey of the special role that experts play in the litigation process including assessing matters to determine fault, recording evidence, interviewing witnesses, preparing reports and testifying in courts or at arbitrations or assisting in finding solutions at mediations.
Abstract:
The special powers given to expert witness come with additional responsibilities to the court to provide objective expert opinion and to interpret facts and educate the court so that the evidence can be better understood by the trier of fact. Unlike ordinary witnesses, expert witnesses may testify on evidence that would otherwise be excluded as hearsay evidence. We will review what characteristics courts expect experts to possess and how experts need to communicate with lawyers retaining them. Experts need to comport themselves as being independent so that their message will be heard and adopted by the courts.
Speaker:
Norm Letalik , M.A LL.B LL.M
Norm Letalik, has been called to the Bar in Ontario since 1989 and to the Rolls as a Solicitor in England and Wales since 1998. He practiced as a litigator in BLG’s Toronto office for 28 years handling all matter of marine, aviation and product liability claims. Following his retirement from private practice he was General Counsel for Volkswagen Group Canada and now resides in Halifax and is Counsel to Metcalf and Company. Prior to practicing law, Norm was a law professor at Dalhousie Law School and a Research Associate and Assistant Director of the Dalhousie Ocean Studies Program
Green house Gas (GHG) Emissions for Domestic Fleet
CIMarE ST LAWRENCE BRANCH INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR AN INFORMATIVE WEBINAR
DATE: Tuesday, June 13th, 2023
TIME: 12:00 Eastern (9:00 Pacific, 13:00 Atlantic, 13:30 NFLD)
Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions for Domestic Fleet – Transport Canada
Abstract:
This presentation will cover the Transport Canada’s plan to greenhouse gas (GHG) targets for the domestic fleet. Special attention will be brought to the previous two reports from ABS, the next steps and the working groups with industry in order to develop a domestic reference line for GHG targets.
Furthermore, how the various fuels affect the Carbon Indicator Index (CII) towards the zero-emission goal for 2050 will also be covered.
Speaker:
Suzie Fortin , Transport Canada Marine Safety & Security
Director, Environmental Programs and Protection Standards
Suzie Fortin holds a degree in metallurgical engineering and a MBA in business management.
She joined the Naval Reserve in 1998 and the Public Service in 2007. Suzie managed various ships and submarines refits for the Canadian Navy from 2007 until 2014. She joined Transport Canada as a Senior Marine Safety Inspector in 2014 and managed the Audits of Classification societies until she left for the Canadian Coast Guard to manage the delegation of their 140 ships into the mandatory Delegation Statutory Inspection Program (DSIP). She became the Manager of the Mechanical Engineering section and a few years later replaced the Deputy Director of Marine Engineering with the Canadian Coast Guard.
In November 2022, Suzie came back to Transport Canada and took over the newly created section of Environmental Programs and Protection Standards. She manages sections responsible for Prevention of Marine Pollution, Air Pollution and Emergency Responses Organizations (MARPOL Annex I to VI) and many international engagement with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Canadian Coast Guard Welcomes 51 New Graduates Into Its Fleet
Released: June 4, 2022
Sydney, Nova Scotia – Since 1965, the Canadian Coast Guard College in Sydney, Nova Scotia, has been providing internationally recognized training to personnel of the Canadian Coast Guard.
Today, during its first in-person graduation ceremony since 2019, the College is bidding fair winds and following seas to 51 graduates from its Officer Training Program. These new Officers have completed the 45-month program, which is delivered in both official languages and offers a choice between Navigation and Marine Engineering streams.
These graduates have persevered through ongoing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now ready to serve Canadians by helping mariners in need, protecting marine ecosystems, and ensuring safe passage through Canada’s waterways.
In a year full of celebration for the Canadian Coast Guard’s 60th anniversary, the arrival of 51 new officers into our fleet is one more reason to celebrate. We extend sincere congratulations to all graduates, who will join their colleagues in making a positive impact in communities across Canada.
Quotes
“Today’s Coast Guard graduates are joining an esteemed organization that continues to serve Canadians with pride. You will serve an increasingly important role in protecting the environment and helping those in need. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished, and welcome to the Canadian Coast Guard. ”
– The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“The Canadian Coast Guard is proud to welcome these 51 new officers into our fleet. Having gone through the program at the Canadian Coast Guard College myself, I know how much hard work and perseverance each of you has put in. Congratulations and welcome aboard!”
– Mario Pelletier, Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard
“On behalf of the entire College faculty, staff and administration, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to all Graduates of the class of 2022. Your transformation from Officer Cadets to Officers over the last 45 months has been a pleasure to observe. I have the highest confidence that the future of the Canadian Coast Guard is in good hands for years to come. I know that you will serve your communities with integrity and make us all proud – well done!”
– Dena Richardson, Executive Director, Canadian Coast Guard College
Quick facts
- This year’s graduates will be posted to Canadian Coast Guard Regions across Canada:
- 15 graduates going to the Atlantic Region
- 18 graduates going to the Central Region
- 18 graduates going to the Western Region
- All Canadian Coast Guard College students receive free tuition, a training allowance, and free room and board.
- Graduates of the Officer Training Program receive a Bachelor of Technology (Nautical Sciences) Degree from Cape Breton University and a Diploma from the Canadian Coast Guard College. Navigation Officers receive a Transport Canada Watchkeeping Mate Certificate, and Marine Engineering Officers receive a Fourth Class Engineering Certificate from Transport Canada.
Associated links
2022 CIMARE / NSCC Award Recipient Tiffany O’Donnell
The Canadian Institute of Marine Engineering- Atlantic Branch is pleased to announce that this year’s student recipient of the Atlantic Award is Tiffany O’Donnell. The one thousand dollar ($1,000) annual award is presented to deserving students attending the NSCC Nautical Institute at Port Hawkesbury NS. The award challenges students in their final year of study, who best demonstrate scholastic achievement, mechanical aptitude and extraordinary leadership skills. Congratulation Tiffany!
In her words, “This award will surely help me financially as I have student debt for the first time. It was a difficult decision to leave my corporate job and steady paycheck every two weeks but with bursaries like this, it helps leaps and bounds. Awards like this not only help financially but they are so motivating to keep going and keep giving it my all. This program is a huge time commitment and sometimes it can be overwhelming but being recognized and awarded for my efforts makes this all worth it. Times like these, with all the negative news in the world, some positive news is very welcomed.” – Tiffany
To see the official announcement and read more about Tiffany’s journey, click here.
In Memory of – Thomas Ward
Dear Membership,
We are sad to share with the membership that on May 7th 2021 Mr. Thomas Charles Ward passed away. Tom served the Canadian maritime industry in various capacities throughout his career including president of CIMarE, received the Medal of Excellence in 2013, and countless other achievements. He will be sorely missed. CIMarE executive committee and members would like to pass on our condolences to all Tom’s family and friends.
Regards,
CIMarE Vancouver Branch
In Memory of – Mr. Richard ‘Rick’ Lowe
Dear Membership,
We are sad to share with the membership that on May 5th 2021 Mr. Richard ‘Rick’ Lowe passed away. Rick was a long time employee of Cullen Diesel Power , a friend to many of us, a great influence in the local maritime industry and supporter of CIMarE Vancouver Branch. He will be sorely missed. CIMarE executive committee and members would like to pass on our condolences to all Rick’s family and friends.
Richard Sai Don Lowe, 66 Years old, Born March 24, 1955 in Kowloon, Hong Kong China. Married to Marianne Lowe (nee Durante) July 24,1976, Children Christopher (Vanessa) & Kyle (Amanda) and 4 grandchildren Kaius, Ryker, Jett, Maddox. Proud recipient of a Diploma of Sales and Marketing from the Sauder School of Business UBC. Rick worked at Cullen Diesel Power (Detroit Diesel Allison BC) for 46 years and retired in 2019 as the Vice President of Sales. Rick will be truly missed by everyone he met and everyone will remember him fondly.
Regards,
CIMarE Vancouver Branch