BURNABY, British Columbia - Oct. 6, 2020 - Bert Caine was the first Secretary-Treasurer of BC's Environmental Operator certification program – at that time called the BC Water and Wastewater Operators Certification Program Society. Bert served in that capacity for 24 years and at times almost singlehandedly carried the program forward. He was instrumental in bringing the certification program from an ad-hoc group of concerned individuals through to a formally constituted body recognized across North America. Bert also served as the program representative when the board became a charter member of the Associated Boards of Certification.

Bert was also the Founding Editor of the Operator Digest. When he started in this role in 1973, the bulletin was two pages long, and was called the 'Newsletter'. The bulletin then was then renamed as the 'Scumline' in 1974, and then the 'Operator Digest' a few years later.

Although Bert passed away in 2017, the fruits of his hard work and determination carry on. Bert's efforts and determination resulted in a program which is now able to stand on its own and provide the assurance to everyone concerned of the competence of our Operators.

Jim McQuarrie is the EOCP's Bert Caine Award recipient for 2020, and is a very deserving candidate. He was first certified in 1982 and in 2019 he retired as a level IV Wastewater Treatment Operator after 37 years with Metro Vancouver and earning his lifetime membership with EOCP.

During his career he collaborated with multiple municipalities, liaising with consultants and technical groups on design, value engineering, and commissioning. For more than 10 years, he also participated as a Subject Matter Expert with the Environmental Operators Certification Program, evaluating instructors, course providers, and curriculum for continuing education credits (CEUs).

Currently, Jim is serving his second term as a Director on the EOCP Board and is always happy to lend a hand when needed.

The EOCP (www.eocp.ca) was the first organization in Canada to implement an Operator certification and facility classification program in Canada in an effort to better protect public health and the environment. Fifty-four years later, the EOCP continues to grow, work with its stakeholders, and evolve, ensuring that the needs of Operators and employers are met.

The EOCP's membership provides safe drinking water and wastewater management to more than 4.2 million people across British Columbia and Yukon.

Contact
Kalpna Solanki