Field Notes

Executive Director's Report Delivered at the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario 6th Annual General Meeting

By Andrea Waldie, P. Geo.
APGO Executive Director & Registrar

I would like to thank all of those who attended the Annual General Meeting on June 5, 2008 and for proving what I deeply believe; that the APGO is an active, vital and proud professional association. I would also like to thank those who took the time to submit their proxy votes. With the support of the Association members, through such actions as returning proxy forms, business at the Association can move steadily forward. Thank you for your attention to APGO business matters. Most of what I will discuss in this article may be found in the Annual Report which is available on the website at: http://www.apgo.net/news/events/AGM/2007_AGM_Annual_Report_FINAL_Reduced_MAY29.pdf

Registration numbers for the year ending Dec. 31, 2007 may be found in the Annual Report. Current registration numbers, as of May 31, 2008, are: 1,389 practising members; 12 temporary members; 10 limited members; 12 non-practising members; 60 geoscientists in training; and 24 student members. Although these numbers are substantial, we all know they could be much better. The vast majority of us know someone who should be registered and isn't. It is time that all of us, who are practising geoscience in Ontario, are registered as Professional Geoscientists here in Ontario.

The APGO is truly a world-class organization. My assistant and I receive calls and emails from all over the world from individuals seeking registration with the APGO. They are keen and eager and willing to do what it takes to belong to this particular Association which they have heard about in their home country. The professional designation gives us all something to be proud of. As professional geoscientists, we can claim that:

We have been held to an entry level standard and have met that standard;

We are held to a certain standard, both in our work and ethically, and held accountable for both; and,

We have been found competent by the Ontario government to regulate our own profession.

Let's ensure that we are all held to the same standards, that we can all be proud of our profession and let's make sure that all geoscientists become registered professionals - it's time. Those of us in the office would be only too happy to assist anyone seeking information on registration. I encourage all members to speak with others who are practising geoscience without being registered and recommend that they "do the right thing" and begin the registration process.

Please note that upcoming revisions to the O.Reg. 59/01, the Registration Regulation, will affect those who may require registration as a ten year practitioner (O.Reg. 59/01 Sec. 8. (1). 1. iii.). The Registration Regulation may be viewed at:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_010059_e.htm.

It is suggested that all those who believe that they may require registration via the ten year practitioner option begin their application process as soon as possible.

Moving on to some of the highlights of the year:

During 2007, the APGO had the honour to work with the newly minted Office of the Fairness Commissioner, as they strive to bring into effect the new Fair Access to the Regulated Professions Act. This Act is designed to ensure fair, objective, impartial and transparent professional registration practices regardless of where an individual was educated and trained. Work with the Office of the Fairness Commissioner will continue through 2008 as APGO undergoes the registration process audit.
There were also ongoing revisions to the regulations that fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Environment, Ontario Regulation 903 - Wells and the Ontario Regulation 153/04 Records of Site Condition. APGO members and the public were well represented during discussions on these regulations by the Environment Subcommittee, and the Regulation 903 and Brownfields Working Groups. APGO would like to thank those groups for their dedicated work over the past year, in particular those who are chairing those committees, Mary Jane Conboy and Ed Rodrigues.
APGO continued to work with the Professional Access and Integration Enhancement (PAIE) program which was managed by the Toronto Region and Conservation Authority. This program assisted several internationally trained individuals attain their 12 months of Canadian work experience through 3 months of classroom work and 9 months of work experience.
Throughout 2007 work continued on the revisions to the Inter Association Mobility Agreement; and the Canadian Geoscience Standards Board Knowledge; and, the Experience Requirements for entry to Professional Geoscience. The adoption of the entry level requirements by the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists Board at the Annual General Meeting, held May 31, 2008, will go a long way toward attaining the mobility we are all seeking.
I am also pleased to announce that a new and improved APGO website was undertaken at the end of the 2007 year. The website is not yet live, but was viewed at the Annual General Meeting and will be launched before the summer is over. Those involved in the development of the website wish to make sure it is fully functional and at least mostly bug-free before we hand it to you, the members. The new website will include enhanced features such as an online application form; secure online payment of renewal fees; the ability to update member contact information at your convenience; a secure member's only area with enhanced features and services and many other useful tools. It is also the intent of the Association to have the ability for online CPD reporting available in 2009.

At this time I would like to thank all those who did so much for the Association throughout 2007. First I would like to thank APGO's volunteers. These incredible people volunteer hundreds upon hundreds of hours, representing both APGO members and the best interests of the public. They meet in person, by teleconference, during work and after work. They have employers that sometimes provide time for volunteer work and they use after hours and even vacation time. They work with regulations; cut their way through bureaucracy; and struggle with ethical issues, standards and precedents. The rewards aren't monetary (a few CPD hours and the satisfaction of helping to shape the profession of geoscience); but the issues are interesting and they affect us all. These individuals believe in the ideals this Association stands for and they strive to achieve them everyday. On behalf of myself, the staff and the APGO membership I thank you all.

I would be remiss if I did not give my personal thanks to the APGO Council. Their leadership, guidance, and counsel help to make this a world class Association and provide me with daily direction and assistance. I have also greatly enjoyed working with our past president, Steve Usher and look forward to working with our new president, Greg Finn, as the Association strives to attain the goals recently set in the Association's Strategic Plan generated in April of this year. The Strategic Plan will be posted to the website very shortly and updates on progress provided regularly.

I would also like to thank Gartner Lee Limited for hosting the Council meetings in 2007. The size of APGO's "Board room", and I use the term loosely, will not accommodate APGO's Council of 20. Therefore, APGO relies on the generosity of others to host the Council meetings. Thank you Gartner Lee. I also would like to thank the APGO staff who work hard everyday, and even more so when the AGM rolls around. Thank you also to this year's Annual General Meeting sponsor, Manulife Financial.