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

Note to APGO Field Notes Readers: As part of its efforts to keep the membership informed of Association initiatives and business, the following article is reproduced here to communicate to members one of the Association’s undertakings to promote professional geoscience. This article was published in the Ontario Mineral Exploration Review this fall to help inform geoscientist employers and human resources departments of the legal requirements concerning the practice of geoscience and the benefits of hiring a professional geoscientist. Please feel free to distribute this article to any who may be interested.

What does the P.Geo. (professional geoscientist) designation mean to you and your organization? The P.Geo. designation is your assurance that documented standards of knowledge and experience have been met by the individual and that a legislated complaints and discipline process is available to address issues of incompetence and/or unethical behaviour. It means you are hiring an individual who can make professional decisions on behalf of your organization and who is practising legally in Ontario. It means you have hired an individual who can greatly benefit your organization.

Geoscience has been a regulated profession in Ontario since 2000. All those that practise professional geoscience in Ontario must be licensed by the regulating body, the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO). Professional geoscience is defined in the Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000 as “perform(ing) an activity that requires the knowledge, principles

of geoscience and that concerns the safeguarding of the welfare of the public or the safeguarding of life, health or property including the natural environment.” An individual conducting the above activities in Ontario without being registered with the APGO is practising geoscience in Ontario illegally (exceptions exist for professional engineers qualified to conduct geoscience and for individuals who are engaged in activities that are confined to prospecting within the meaning of the Mining Act).

Knowledge and Experience

All APGO members with a P.Geo. designation, including limited, temporary and non-practising members, have undergone a registration evaluation process. These individuals have met the documented requirements for knowledge and experience as set out in the Registration Regulation O. Reg. 59/01 (available at www.apgo.net/regulations.htm). They have supplied references from other professional geoscientists and their applications have been reviewed by a peer panel of professional geoscientists or the registrar.

Professional Practice & Ethics Exam

Further, the P.Geo. member has passed a Professional Practice and Ethics examination. The exam covers topics such as:

Professionalism- The role of the professional in society; A professional's responsibilities to management; Ethical standards and codes; Environmental responsibilities

Professional Practice- Professional accountability for work, workplace issues, job responsibilities and standards of practice; Professional business practices; Insurance and risk management; Non-statutory standards and codes of practice

Regulatory Authority Requirements- Occupation Health and Safety

Regulations; Workers' compensation regulations; Other statutory standards and codes

Law and Legal Concepts - Canadian legal concepts; Contract Law; Tort Law; Intellectual Property Law; Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR);The Professional as an Expert Witness; Business Organizations; International Law

The Act - The Provincial Acts; Regulations and By-Laws; Discipline and Enforcement; Use of stamps and seals

Geoscience Practice in Ontario - Acts and Regulations governing major areas of geoscience practice in Ontario

Regulated Ethics, Complaints, and Discipline

P.Geo. members are accountable to a regulated Code of Ethics as well as to a regulated Complaints and Discipline process (www.apgo.net/regulations.htm). If any member of the public believes that an APGO member has acted incompetently, without the appropriate knowledge, or has acted unethically, a complaint may be filed with the Association. Such complaints will be investigated and disciplinary action taken if found necessary by a review panel consisting of peer and public members.

Continuing Professional Development

As well, professional geoscientists in Ontario are required to file Continuing Professional Development hours annually with the Association. This professional development demonstrates to the public the professional geoscientist’s commitment to remaining current in the field of geoscience and to community participation. When you hire a P.Geo. you’re hiring an accountable professional with proven knowledge and experience. For more information on professional geoscience in Ontario or on the APGO, please visit www.apgo.net. For information on professional geoscience in Canada and for links to other professional geoscience regulators in Canada, please visit, www.ccpg.ca.