About the Ottawa Section

IES was the 34th North American local Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society. On October 12th in the year 1944, the Society issued a Charter that read: 

"For the advancement of the theory and practice of illuminating engineering and the dissemination of knowledge relating thereto, The National Council does hereby grant this Charter, establishing the Ottawa Chapter of the Illuminating Engineering Society with headquarters at Ottawa."

The Chapter operated, at first, under the oversight of the Montreal Section. After demonstating that it could function effectively on its own, it's status was upgraded from Chapter to Section in April of 1957.

It is worth noting that in October of 1944, World War II was ongoing, and Canadian troops were fighting in Austria and the Netherlands, a young, 15-year-old named Ann Frank would be transferred from Auschwitz to the Bergin-Belsen concentration camp and succumb to Typhoid less than 4 months later.

It may seem odd to us today that during such a dark time in world history that a group of individuals could be inspired to come together to build a group whose shared a common passion for light. But they did, and more than 80 years later, that tourch remains lit. Led by dedicated volunteers on the local Board of Managers and others who are involved on our committees, the Ottawa Section provides lighting education, technical discussions, and a number of opportunities to network with those who share an interest in applying best practices when we light the world around us.

	Bob Bridges LC, IES;