The F.H. Sexton Gold Medal is Engineers Nova Scotia’s highest honour, awarded to a professional engineer who has demonstrated exceptional achievement and distinguished service in their field. Recipients are recognized for outstanding careers and for advancing the economic and social well-being of Nova Scotia through engineering excellence. 

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For more than 26 years, Robbie Fraser, M.Sc., P.Eng., has played a leading role in the design and construction of infrastructure that connects communities across Nova Scotia and Canada. From award-winning bridges and transportation projects to the engineering firm he helped establish in Dartmouth, his career has been marked by technical expertise, practical leadership, and a commitment to developing others. His influence extends beyond the structures he has helped deliver to the many engineers and technical professionals he has guided throughout his career. 

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After earning his engineering degree from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, graduating as a Sexton Scholar, he completed his graduate studies at the University of Alberta where he was the recipient of a National Science and Engineering Research Council Scholarship and the Walter John’s Memorial Fellowship. Robbie then began his career in earnest, a career that would lead to the design of more than 400 bridges and numerous award-winning infrastructure initiatives across Canada. 

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Since 2000, Robbie has served as lead designer on more than 400 bridge projects and hundreds of construction engineering assignments. His work has delivered practical, constructible solutions for transportation infrastructure across Canada and has been recognized through various provincial, national, and industry awards. 

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Among his most notable achievements is the Highway 104 Twinning Project between Sutherlands River and Antigonish, where he served as lead bridge designer for 29 new bridge structures along a 38-kilometre section of the Trans-Canada Highway. In addition to leading the design, he provided engineering support throughout construction, contributing to the delivery of a project that enhanced safety, reliability, and connectivity for Nova Scotians. The project later received both the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships National Award for Innovation and Excellence and the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering. 

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This was not the first project Robbie lead that would go on to receive the Lieutenant Governor’s Award. Until that point in his career, three other such projects of his were recognized with this marked distinction, including: the Vimy Memorial Bridge Erection in 2014; the Moriah Bridge Construction and Self-Launching Gantry in 2007; and the Seal Island Bridge Rehabilitation in 2003. In 2016, the Juno Beach Memorial Bridge Erection was also recognized with the Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence (Prince Edward Island).  

Rounding off his list of Nova Scotian accolades, Robbie himself has been personally recognized twice before by Engineers Nova Scotia: in 2015 with the Engineering Award and in 2007 with the Young Engineer Award.  

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Robbie has also taken part in nationally recognized infrastructure initiatives beyond Nova Scotia. As lead construction engineer for Toronto’s Port Lands Flood Protection and Redevelopment Project, he oversaw the delivery of four steel arch bridges using accelerated bridge construction techniques. The project showcased Nova Scotia engineering expertise on a national stage and received multiple Canadian Institute of Steel Construction awards. 

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His portfolio also includes award-winning work on the Burgoyne Bridge Replacement and the Cheticamp River Bridge Replacement. Together, these efforts demonstrate both the breadth of his technical knowledge and his ability to guide complex assignments from concept through construction. 

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In 2008, Robbie co-founded Harbourside Engineering Consultants with business partner Greg MacDonald. What began as a specialized bridge and heavy civil engineering firm has since grown into the Harbourside Engineering Group, serving clients across multiple sectors. Under his leadership, the firm has attracted major projects to Nova Scotia, retained engineering talent in Atlantic Canada, and become known for delivering practical, high-quality solutions. Throughout its growth, he has demonstrated that world-class engineering expertise can be developed and sustained in Nova Scotia. 

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Mentorship has remained an important part of Robbie’s work at Harbourside Engineering Group. Colleagues describe him as someone who is always willing to share knowledge, answer questions, and invest time in the growth of those around him. He routinely works with engineers, engineers-in-training, co-op students, and technical staff, helping them build technical capability and professional confidence. Through lunch-and-learn sessions, technical discussions, and hands-on project guidance, he has created a workplace culture where learning and collaboration are highly valued. 

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His service to the profession extends beyond his workplace. For more than 15 years, Robbie has contributed to the advancement of engineering standards through involvement with technical code committees. He has served on committees responsible for the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code and the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works Standards Specification, helping shape the standards that guide infrastructure projects across the country. Throughout his career, he has consistently promoted professionalism, public safety, and ethical engineering practice. 

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Beyond engineering, Robbie has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service. Through Harbourside, he has supported organizations such as Brigadoon Village, the Orenda Canoe Club, and the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning through pro bono engineering services and charitable initiatives. Since 2013, he has spearheaded the firm’s annual Treats for Tots campaign in support of the Salvation Army. He has also devoted more than a decade to coaching minor hockey, helping young athletes develop teamwork, confidence, and leadership skills both on and off the ice. 

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Those who work alongside Robbie often speak of his integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to quality. Whether guiding the design of a complex bridge, advising a client through a difficult decision, or supporting a younger engineer, he leads by example. His influence can be seen in the transportation networks and public works he has helped shape, the organizations he has strengthened, and the professionals whose careers have benefited from his mentorship and guidance. 

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For his outstanding contributions to structural and bridge engineering, his leadership in delivering award-winning infrastructure projects, his commitment to advancing the profession through mentorship and technical service, and his dedication to strengthening communities in Nova Scotia and beyond, Robbie Fraser, M.Sc., P.Eng., receives the 2026 F.H. Sexton Gold Medal in recognition of his singular service and lasting contributions to the engineering profession in Nova Scotia.