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"What is professional Geoscience?" New Practice Guideline for Groundwater Resources and other developments. An Update from the Professional Practice Committee Bill Stiebel, P.Geo. - Chair 
The Professional Practice Committee or "PPC" is a Standing Committee
of Council that addresses issues relating to guidelines and standards
for professional geoscience practice, professional ethics, continuing
professional development, and other matters that relate to professional
practice. Examples of issues the PPC addresses are the "Qualified
Person" or QP designation and the APGO's CPD (Continuing Professional
Development) program. The PPC comprises several subcommittees each
representing a different geoscience discipline. The PPC Committee
structure and membership is posted on the APGO website. Currently,
there are three active practice subcommittees for Mining Geology,
Geophysics and Environmental Geoscience, as well as a Continuing Professional
Development subcommittee. The PPC is always seeking more P. Geo. volunteers
for the existing working groups and to add other geoscience discipline
subcommittees. Thanks to our member volunteers, the PPC is able to
do the valuable work required to serve the public and our members
under the Act. Members are encouraged to get involved. The general question "What is professional Geoscience?" has been asked by many people since the introduction of the Professional Geoscientists Act 2000 and the inception of the APGO. To answer this important question, the APGO has just released a new explanatory document entitled "Interpretation, Explanation and Some Examples of "Professional Geoscience" as defined in the Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000". This document was prepared under the guidance of Councillor Neil Westoll, P.Eng. P.Geo. with review and input from members of the APGO's Professional Practice Committee, APGO staff and the entire APGO Council. Its intent is to illustrate that the definition of professional geoscience includes three key elements: an activity; the application of geoscience principles; and, safeguarding of the public, property and the natural environment. The document, in order to provide guidance to both the public and members, includes examples of what constitutes professional geoscience practice which are activities that must be conducted or supervised by a P. Geo. in accordance with the Act.. Also included in the document are job titles that signify an individual may be practicing professional geoscience and should be registered as a P. Geo. The only exception to the foregoing job titles is if the professional is a P. Eng. competent to practice professional geoscience. As in all cases when examples are provided, they are not inclusive of all situations. Comments and suggestions from members on additions and improvements to this important document are welcome and should be addressed to the Professional Practice Committee for consideration. In addition to the above, the APGO Council approved a number of other PPC recommendations when it met on September 24, 2004. A new Professional Practice Guideline for Groundwater Resources Evaluation, Development, Management and Protection Programs in Ontario was adopted by Council. This guideline was prepared by a working group of the PPC Environmental Geoscience Subcommittee headed by Tony Lotimer, P. Geo. and has had input from many volunteers. (It is now available on the APGO website for member reference). Please be sure to read this new guideline if you are involved in groundwater resource development. It outlines the generic process and overall considerations a P. Geo. must address when applying experience and professional judgement in planning and executing a groundwater resource project. An amendment to By-law No. 3, Schedule A that provides further guidance to Members on the Use of the APGO Seal and Document Control was accepted by Council and is now posted on the APGO website. This document was prepared by John Gartner, P.Geo, P.Eng. with input and review by the PPC. The by-law amendment will be formally placed before members for ratification at the 2005 Annual General Meeting. The Environmental Geoscience Subcommittee of the PPC, co-chaired by Ken Lyon, P. Geo, is very active indeed. You are encouraged to read their activity reports in the Members Only section of the APGO website and to get involved by volunteering to help address all of the various issues and the plethora of new legislation that relates to environmental geoscience practice in Ontario. All comments and volunteer enquiries should be submitted to the attention of the Executive Director who will forward them to the appropriate committee. |
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more information on APGO, please contact info@apgo.net
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