Herb Lagois of North Gower’s Lagois Drafting and Construction is a long time member of the AATO, but felt he wasn’t deriving as much from it as he could if there was a local branch.

"I always felt that being in Ottawa we do have a large group of people here who deserve the benefits of a local chapter," says Lagois, the new chair of the AATO’s Ottawa chapter. "I thought we definitely needed a chapter in Ottawa."

"I’ve actually been thinking about this for 20 years."

With no chapter in Ottawa it was difficult for Ottawa-area technologists to become accredited, as they had to travel to Toronto to take the courses and examinations. For that reason, many Ottawa AATO members retained an "intern" status rather than become fully accredited. The Ottawa chapter will encourage its intern members to become fully accredited.

Dexton Bennett, the chapter’s secretary, says until now Ottawa-area members have been isolated from the major body of the association. Now, he says, "You don’t have to go to Toronto to get certified, you don’t have to go to Toronto or Kingston to feel like you’re part of the association."