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Andy Robinson, P.Eng., FEC

Andy is a quiet leader who can command the attention of a room with his thoughtful words. He conducts himself as an industry and community leader by the principles that are paramount to him as a professional engineer – integrity, ethical behaviour, and accountability.

Andy received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1966. After working as a Project Engineer for a few years, he pursued a master’s degree in Water Resources at the University of Waterloo. Throughout his career, his interests focused on municipal infrastructure, environmental, and water resources engineering, with recent emphasis on projects under the Ontario Drainage Act.

While Andy has consulted on thousands of projects over the course of his career, his greatest professional achievement is the creation of his engineering firm, Robinson Consultants Inc. in 1977. He was approximately ten years into his career as a professional engineer when he left his position as Ottawa Area Manager for R.M. Kostuch Associates Ltd. to found his firm. The reputation he had established in the Ottawa area allowed for the firm to grow in size and specialty under Andy’s leadership. In 2011, after a transfer of ownership, Andy assumed the role of Chair of the Board of Directors. Today, Robinson Consultants is a multi-disciplinary consulting engineering firm that has over sixty employees, including thirty-two engineers, as well as a diverse team of technologists and support staff.

Throughout his fifty-five-year long career, Andy has given back to the industry through his involvement in several organizations. He has volunteered with ACEC-Canada, Consulting Engineers of Ontario, the Ottawa Chapter of Professional Engineers of Ontario, and the Canadian Water Resources Association. Whether as a Director, Vice-Chair, Treasurer or Chair of the Board, he has led a host of initiatives, including preparation of the industry paper Understanding Public Private Partnerships in Canada, the completion of a new strategic plan and bylaws, presenting to the Inquiry on Federal Water Policy, and conducting negotiations with the City of Ottawa on contract language, procurement policies, and qualifications-based selection.

Andy’s contributions to the industry have been officially recognized with many awards. In 2017, he was the recipient of the Joe Johnson Sr. Private Sector Award, an Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA) award that recognizes outstanding individual achievement through chapter activity and outstanding corporate achievement. He is also a Fellow of Engineers Canada (FEC), an honour given to individuals who have provided noteworthy service to the profession. Most recently, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) awarded him the Life Member Status Tenure Award in recognition of his membership tenure of thirty cumulative years. Andy has also received a twenty-five years of service recognition from Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and the Province of Ontario.

In addition to his industry commitments, Andy is a passionate community volunteer. In 1998, he became involved with WaterCan (now known as WaterAid Canada). Over the years, he has served in multiple roles including Chair of the Board and Director Emeritus and is presently an Advisory Council Member. His interests in helping with small water projects in rural communities in Africa culminated with a trip with his daughter to Uganda to witness the organization’s work firsthand. His passion for his work with WaterAid is evident when he speaks of this experience.

If you asked Andy how he manages to do it all and still find time to play golf, he would likely say it is due to good planning. Those who know him would say it has more to do with having a strong obligation to the community and industry he has been a part of for over fifty-five years. Andy’s legacy within the walls of Robinson Consultants and in the industry at large will serve as one of the highest bars a professional engineer could hope to reach.

As the recipient of this year’s Beaubien Award, presented annually in recognition of exception service to ACEC and for contributions to the advancement of consulting engineering through professional accomplishments, Andy is recognized by his peers for his exemplary service.

The Beaubien Award was created by ACEC in 1984 in honour of Dr. James de Gaspé Beaubien, who founded ACEC in 1925.

Project Description

Robinson Consultants Inc. was retained by the City of Ottawa to undertake the preliminary and detailed design for the slope stabilization and erosion control at four locations on Cardinal Creek. The toe of slope at three of these locations was showing signs of erosion caused by the creek. Two of the sites showed evidence of active sloughing on the bank of the creek channel which had created steep slopes without any vegetation. A fourth site was not carried forward to design after a detailed field review and analysis concluded it to be of low risk. Slope stabilization and erosion control measures included reinforced soil system to stabilize slopes, erosion and scour protection at the toe of slope, and a planting plan with suitable native species to enhance slope stability. Site access and construction staging was a challenging issue due to the steep slopes and remote location of the sites. One of the sites was located entirely on private property.

Several activities were completed to assess the suitability of the proposed slope stabilization measures including: assessment of water levels and velocities within the creek, topographic survey in remote area with challenging conditions, constructability review, natural environment study, geotechnical investigation, slope stability analysis, Stage 1 archeological assessment, tree inventory and consultation with environmental regulatory agencies. Following the detailed assessments, Robinson Consultants Inc. completed the preliminary and detailed design including site access plans, temporary flow control, landscaping plans, and guiderail design. Robinson Consultants Inc. also prepared tender documents in accordance with the City of Ottawa standards, attended meetings with private property owners, and obtained the necessary environmental approvals.

Project Description

Robinson Land Development (RLD) were retained to provide detailed servicing, grading, and stormwater management design for a proposed residential subdivision located at 6279 Fernbank Road in the City of Ottawa, Ontario. The proposed infill subdivision includes a variety of townhome blocks, semi-detached dwellings and single-family homes for a total of 148 residential units. Included in the development design is a park space, stormwater management (SWM) facility and an oil grit separator to provide quality treatment.

Due to the scrutiny associated with the project the design was constrained by decisions resulting from the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) process in addition to City of Ottawa special requests (such as reducing the storm outflow from the site). The subdivision is also adjacent to an Urban Natural Feature (UNF) along the eastern boundary and bounded by existing residential homes around the remaining site perimeter which provided a challenge with respect to the grading drainage and SWM design.

Due to the complexity of the stormwater management, RLD worked in conjunction with J.F. Sabourin and Associates Inc. in modelling of the stormwater flows and access the interaction of the proposed development with the adjacent UNF.

Project Description

The original Monahan Creek Municipal Drain was constructed in 1968. At that time, the drain served a largely rural/agricultural area. Subsequent years saw significant urban development in the upper reaches of the drain which included abandonment, improvements, sections incorporated as storm sewers, and the development of an urban constructed wetland stormwater management facility. However, during this period the downstream end of the drain and outlet capacity remained unchanged.

The City of Ottawa appointed Robinson Consultants Inc. under Section 78 of the Ontario Drainage Act, R.S.O. 1990, as the Drainage Engineer for modification and improvement of the Monahan Creek Municipal Drain.

Initial review indicated that the original 1968 design could no longer provide sufficient outlet for the growing urban infrastructure.

Design included the deepening and widening of the drain and establishing permanent sediment and erosion control features as well as special design for the replacement of six low-level crossings. The design incorporated provisions to address the concerns of environmental agencies including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, and the Ministry of Natural Resources. Best management practices were developed and successfully implemented to allow for authorization, permitting, and the protection of endangered species.