print this page President's Perspective Mr. McLean became the new President of the APGO on June 2, 2005 As we all know, the principal function of the Association is as a regulator. Our first obligation is the protection of the public and environment. It is important to acknowledge that it is the public that has delegated the responsibility of regulation to the Practitioners of the province and we should regard this as a privilege by maintaining a strong dedication to the Code of Ethics and by setting the highest standards. The total number of full practicing Licencee’s in the province now sits at greater than 1200. Non-compliance with respect to carrying out Professional Geoscience without a licence, however, is still an issue in the province and many members are aware of non-compliant individuals and professional service providers. We all have a duty to remind such individuals of their duty to the public to become registered. At the June 3rd meeting, Council identified addressing ‘non-compliance of individuals practicing professional geoscience without a licence;’ as a key objective going forward and the Association will act on non-compliance issues when it becomes aware of them. During my tenure as your President, I will endeavour to accomplish two key objectives.
The Association is growing, however, it is in its infancy. The membership has the opportunity to mold this Association into a leader of geoscience. It is of great concern to me that we did not have an election this year and that all Council and Executive positions were simply acclaimed. We need to get the message out to our peers that Council work is important and does make a difference. In addition, it is through committee work that the real work gets done. Your involvement at the committee level is essential. Finally, we can only get stronger with increased membership. I think we are all aware that there are many non-compliant geoscientists out there. You should all do what you can to encourage your peers to register. As pointed out in the article in this issue written by Steve Wilson P.Geo., - one of my fellow Councillors and chair of the Enforcement and Compliance committee - if each member brought a new member to the Association it would ensure our ability to achieve the mandate that our fellow Ontarians have bestowed upon us and to fulfil the vision of the Association for geoscience professionals. |
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As your new President I am excited about the year ahead. The Association is now firmly established, fiscally healthy and is poised to strengthen into a superior regulatory body that is shaped by its members.