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

Items of note at the APGO that will most likely be of interest to both members and non-members are:

• Revisions to the Registration Regulation O.Reg. 59/01 submitted to the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines for review

• Passing of APGO member Jim Beechinor

Registration Regulation O.Reg 59/01
The APGO recommended revisions to the Registration Regulation O.Reg. 59/01 and they have recently been submitted to the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) for review. Please note that these revisions are currently under review by the MNDM only, and have not as of yet been approved. Several of the revisions are housekeeping in nature, serving only to clarify portions of the Regulation that already existed. These “housekeeping” sections include clarifications to requirements for a Practising Licence, Temporary Licence, and Limited Licence. The revisions also define the number of times a Temporary Licence may be granted.

The revisions also concern changes to the definition of “qualifying work experience”. Upon acceptance of the revisions by the Ministry, “qualifying work experience” will not include work experience that has been obtained through the illegal practice of geoscience. This would include work experience obtained in Ontario after the Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000 came into effect, or in any other Canadian geoscience regulated jurisdiction, that was not gained under the supervision of a P.Geo. or a P.Eng. qualified to conduct geoscience. If you are aware of any individual currently practising geoscience who should be registered, please encourage them to apply.

Further revisions, if accepted, to the Limited Licence portion of the Registration Regulation alters the Conditions of Limited Certificate. The revisions state that a Limited Certificate holder will provide only the services specified in the certificate, but the Certificate holder will no longer be limited to a specific employer; will no longer need to be supervised by a practising or temporary member; and, will be able to sign and seal documents using the appropriate designation.

Other requested revisions strike outdated information pertaining to transition periods in the Association’s history. Please pass along this information to anyone who may be interested.

Passing of APGO Member Jim Beechinor
The APGO is saddened by the loss of member Jim Beechinor, P.Geo. on January 28th, 2009. Many in the geoscience community will know Jim for his extensive career history in the environmental geoscience-consulting world including work at Ecologistics, Trow Ltd., Dames and Moore, Agra and AMEC as Executive Vice President. APGO extends their condolences to Jim’s wife, Maureen, and his family. The family has indicated that donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.

Should you require further information on any of the above topics, please contact the APGO at 416-203-2746 or 1-877-557-2746 or info@apgo.net.