When Harry Angus joined HH Angus in 1974 after graduating from Queen’s University in mechanical engineering, he brought a powerful combination of vision and drive. Over the next five decades Harry helped the firm strengthen into one of Canada’s most respected engineering consultancies — an independent company defined by innovation, integrity, and a culture of empowering employees to contribute and grow.
Serving as President from 1985 to its centennial year in 2019, Harry steered the firm through a period of transformation, increasing its influence across Canada and into new industry sectors, from energy and health strategy, to digital innovation. During this period, HH Angus undertook many notable and technically challenging projects:
Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome) – designing building systems for the world’s first stadium with a fully retractable motorized roof
Eastman Chemical’s PET plant – re-engineering the process by going back to first principles resulted in massive cost savings and reduced schedule
National Gallery of Canada – its unique architecture led our design team to air tunnel test mechanical system diffusers to achieve the required ventilation
CAMI Automotive - a greenfield facility over 1 km in length, providing all project management and services engineering
North Bay Regional Hospital – the first hospital in North America to provide 100% fresh air supply to all parts of the hospital, significantly reducing transmission of harmful bacteria and viruses
Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) – among North America’s largest P3 hospital projects
Enwave – the largest district energy system in North America
BSL Level 4 labs – design and engineering for the highest level of biocontainment
Canary Wharf - the UK redevelopment in London showcased the firm’s technical ingenuity and collaborative spirit at a time when high-rise towers were almost unknown in the UK
Harry’s approach to leadership nurtured a culture where ideas are shared openly, mentorship flourishes, and people are empowered to grow. His belief that “management doesn’t have a patent on good ideas” continues to shape HH Angus’ inclusive and innovative workplace today.
Recognizing opportunities to enhance project effectiveness beyond the traditional design/bid/build model, Harry was an early supporter of Public-Private Partnerships in Canada. He helped to position HH Angus at the forefront of major infrastructure delivery, such as the firm’s award-winning work on Montréal’s CHUM mega-hospital, and participation in the soon-to-open Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit system. This experience led to our work in a number of procurement models—from P3 and IPD to Progressive Design Build and Alliance—as the market continues to respond to changing economic drivers. Harry also championed portfolio diversification through new service areas such as ICAT and digital services, ensuring HH Angus remained resilient and forward-looking in a rapidly evolving industry.
Harry’s influence continues to guide the firm’s values and vision. Beyond HH Angus, he has contributed significantly to the broader profession and community —as a past President of Professional Engineers Ontario, Chair of McMichael Art Gallery and world sailing championships, Yonge Street Mission, Queen’s University, working with Health Ontario and others to improve the public health delivery model, and establishing scholarships for aspiring engineers.
As HH Angus is about to embark on to its 107th year of engineering innovation, we celebrate Harry’s 50 years of vision, leadership and his lasting impact on the firm, its clients, and our profession.