Why did you choose to study chemistry?
My curiosity of nature as a child was satisfied by learning chemistry, as chemistry helped explain things around us. I came from a family where art and especially music was appreciated and practiced. I learned to look at a vase or a painting, and similarly at things in nature, and experienced how the colours, the symmetry and all their attributes fit, work and supported each other.
Science Meets Parliament is returning to Ottawa!
ACPA Celebrates 2026 Edmonton Regional Science Fair Award Winners
The Association of Chemical Professions of Alberta (ACPA) is proud to support the next generation of scientists through its continued sponsorship of the Edmonton Regional Science Fair (ERSF). The 2026 fair welcomed 171 projects—the highest participation in 15 years—and showcased the exceptional talent, curiosity, and dedication of young researchers across the region.
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PChem Profile – Sean Mercer
Background:
From Halifax, Nova Scotia. I attended St. Francis Xavier University for my BSc. I then went to Queen’s University for my PhD, working under Prof. Philip Jessop.
Education and Training
I hold a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Chemistry from the University of Victoria, where I also participated in the Co-op program and completed work terms in three different laboratories. I later earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Chemistry, specializing in Physical Chemistry, from the University of Calgary.
My origins as a chemist go way back to high school, when I had great Grade 12 and Grade 13 teachers in the subject who really did a good job showing how everything in the world around us is chemistry, and starts with the 92 chemical elements on the periodic table. I found the laws of periodicity of the elements, which act as the foundation for all chemicals and reaction, absolutely fascinating, and still do!
Practice of professional chemistry
The ACPA would like to revisit the definition of the practice of chemistry, to try and make it current and more comprehensive.
Here is our current definition:
“Practice of chemistry” means
Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act (POARA), Professional Chemists Regulation, Alberta Regulation 248/2001
Here is the OCQ definition:
“Practice of professional chemistry” means the practice for gain of any branch of chemistry, pure and applied, including, without limiting the generality of the forgoing, organic, inorganic, physical, metallurgical, biological, clinical, analytical, and industrial chemistry,
but does not include the execution of chemical or physical tests based on known methods to determine the quality of a product or to control a manufacturing process.
Below is ACPBC’s definition, adapted from the above:
“Practice of professional chemistry” means the performing of any activity within or involving chemistry for gain, hire or hope of reward, either directly or indirectly using the knowledge and education from the field of chemistry that requires the application of the principles of the chemical sciences, and that concerns the safeguarding of the public welfare, environment, life , health, property or economic interests, including, but not limiting to:
Comments made by ACPBC on their definition.
This defines the scope of practice in a fashion that is independent of the right to practice (which is held by the chemists in Quebec).
There are other related professions that utilize chemistry, and their rights and duties would not be infringed upon by this definition (e.g., environmental sciences). This may also allow for exemptions where competency (education and experience) of another profession legitimately overlaps with the skills and knowledge of the chemists. Such an overlap will not abridge the rights of chemists with the appropriate competencies to practice and offer services in these areas as well. Articulation of that overlap needs to take place between the PROs. And these PROs must all have equal regulatory standing to make that dialogue effective.
Next.
Is our current definition still adequate? To expand our definition, Alberta Government indicated we would need agreement from the other PROs. The ACPA would then propose the new definition to the government to have it included in our bylaws.
Please provide your comments, suggest other definitions, items to add, etc. We want to hear your thoughts!
