The Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000 and the regulations and by-laws under the Act place requirements on all members and C of A holders in connection with both the practice of geoscience and representation with respect to the practice of geoscience.

Advertising

Section 3.1 and 3.2 of the Act states that a geoscientist shall not practice professional geoscience or represent that he or she may practice, without being licensed to do so.

Section 4.1 states likewise that the same applies to a corporation, partnership or other entity.

Thus only those individuals who are registered as a P.Geo. or only those corporations, partnerships, or other entities holding a current Certificate of Authorization, in accordance with the Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000, are permitted to advertise services as “Geoscience” or “Professional/Geoscience” or “Geoscientists” or “Professional Geoscientists” in Ontario. The same applies to the use in advertising of the range of other words used to describe the various disciplines of the geosciences such as but not limited to “geological”, “geophysical”, “hydrogeological”, “mineralogical” etc.

Members and Certificate of Authorization holders are also bound by Ontario Regulation 60/01 - Code of Ethics, Section 11 which states:

“A professional geoscientist shall represent qualifications and competence and advertise professional services only by presenting facts and without exaggeration.”

The following are guidelines that Members and Certificate of Authorization holders should adhere to in all advertising for professional services:

• Avoid claiming a greater degree or extent of responsibility for a project or projects than is the case in fact;
• Remember to give appropriate indications of cooperation by associated firms or individuals involved in specified projects;
• Take care not to denigrate or belittle another professional, their firm or projects;
• Do not exaggerate claims as to the performance of a project or service; and
• Do not illustrate portions of the project for which the advertiser has no responsibility, without appropriate disclaimer, thus implying greater responsibility than is in fact the case.

The Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO) has developed a program to help C of A holders to promote their affiliation with the association and their special status as a provider of professional geoscience services to the public.

As part of the program, C of A holders are encouraged to display the official APGO logo on their letter head, on flyers and in other advertising and print material.

To ensure recognition of the logo, it is important that it is presented correctly. Below are a series of guidelines for usage. Examples are provided for your convenience.

The official logo

C of A holders may use the APGO logo in advertising, brochures, flyers and other printed materials, subject to the following guidelines:

1. Reproduction is permitted only from original, official reproduction material supplied by APGO. Click here to request copies of the logo, please specify format required.

2. The complete logo and the signature, Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario, must be displayed.

3. The logo should appear in a size that is smaller than that used for your firm’s corporate identification. The minimum size at which the logo can be used features the signature in 8 pr type.

4. The logo is not to be used on your firm’s business cards. Instead the designation P.Geo. should be displayed, separated by a comma from the member’s name.

5. The logo should be printed in black, or black with the green highlight using the approved green highlight tint only. The approved green is referred to in the trade as “Green 361”.

6. A space equal to twice the width of the letter “O” in APGO should surround the logo on all sides to separate it from other elements.

7. Generally, the logo should be positioned at the base of the page that features your firm’s identification.

The authorization statement

     “Authorized by the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario to offer professional geoscience services”

When sufficient space is available, this qualifying statement should accompany the APGO logo in your promotional and business materials, subject to the following guidelines:

1. The statement may be set in any type style that is compatible with your firm’s identification.

2. The size of type used for the statement should be smaller than that used for your firm’s identification.

3. Where practical, the statement should be positioned at the base of the page, to the right or below the APGO logo.

4. If desired, the authorization statement may be used independently of the APGO logo. It may be used on business cards, if desired.