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Geological Survey of Canada
The following report focuses on major corporate trends and issues affecting the GSC. Space does not permit detailing the results of GSC research programs. This information is published in the GSC's Annual Review, available at no charge from:
Geological Survey of Canada (Communications Office),
601 Booth Street,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A OE8
Fax: (613) 996 - 8059
E-mail: vodden@gsc.emr.ca
GSC, as a federal government agency, took part during 1994 in a rigorous government-wide Program Review required as preparation for the 1995 federal budget. All programs were evaluated against six criteria: public interest, role of government, federalism, opportunities for partnership, efficiency and affordability. The Program Review required much input from GSC management throughout the year and consultation with the Minister's National Industrial Advisory Committee for the GSC. There were several important organizational decisions taken in 1994 as a result of this process -- notably, GSC's two West Coast divisions would be combined, the Ottawa-based Geophysics Division merged with GSC's other science divisions, and each GSC regional division would be given responsibility for the delivery of one of GSC's national programs.
With continuing political pressure to eliminate any possible duplication of services at the federal and provincial levels, discussions to increase cooperation and strengthen connections with provincial and territorial geological surveys continued to be prominent in all GSC activities. For example, in March 1994, the British Columbia Geological Survey and GSC took a big step towards integrating their work when 40 scientists from both groups met to develop a joint strategic plan for geoscientific mapping in support of mining in the province. The meeting, a first for both organizations, produced a strategic plan that is a blueprint for building new initiatives and for further integrating work. It also promotes stronger working relationships and encourages economies of scale. The plan was strongly endorsed by industrial advisory committees of both organizations. Similar discussions are underway directly with several other provinces and through the auspices of the National Geological Surveys Committee.
Mechanisms to encourage connections with industry continued to be another priority area. The Industrial Partners Program (IPP) completed its second year of operation in March 1994 with 75 Canadian companies partnered with GSC scientists in 52 projects. Through these jointly funded ventures, advances in exploration geoscience were realized in the fields of exploration geochemistry, borehole geophysics, analytical chemistry and metallogenic studies of a number of deposits. Technology transfer to the private sector was another result of this cooperative research: for example, in borehole instrumentation, water well sampling equipment and new analytical equipment and techniques. Many joint ventures were also carried out, outside the IPP, with partners in industry, universities, provincial utilities and other governments.
A major external evaluation of GSC programs, delivered early in the year, concluded that over 95% of our clients were satisfied with the advice, information and expertise available from the GSC, but they felt that accessing GSC was sometimes difficult and its delivery of information was slow. GSC is now working to improve accessibility and delivery times. For example, a consultation with Toronto-based clients, mainly in the mining industry, led to an agreement with the Ontario Government to provide computer access to GSC library services and publications sales through the Toronto office of the Ontario Geological Survey. The Toronto GSC-Link was officially opened in December 1994, and GSC is investigating the placement of other GSC-Links in other parts of the country.
Client service using new technological options was another challenge that GSC continued to address in 1994. The GSC became accessible on Internet, and a GSC homepage on World Wide Web is in the works. Delivery of science through the CD- ROM format met with excellent feedback from clients. Of note in 1994 were two new CDs: one depicting the geology of the world; the other a compendium of Cordilleran geoscientific data.
Events such as the GSC's Third Minerals Colloquium in January 1994 were another important initiative designed for client interaction. The Colloquium, which had as its theme "World Class Mineral Deposits", drew a record attendance of about 900 participants, with one third from industry representing about 130 companies. Associated with the Colloquium was a GSC short course on structural geology applied to ore deposits, which was fully subscribed by industry participants shortly after being announced. During the year, GSC also participated in the Cordilleran Roundup (Vancouver/January), the Prospectors and Developers Association Annual Meeting (Toronto/March) and Mining '94 (Toronto/May).
In April-May 1994, GSC carried out a magnetic survey in the High Arctic to redetermine the position of the North Magnetic Pole. This knowledge is crucial to a GSC program that supplies up-to-date information to navigators and cartographers. The Pole was found to be on Ellef Ringnes Island (at 78.3° N, 104.0° W), 150 km northwest of the position where it had been located a decade earlier.
On the global front, GSC, through a new International Office, is lending its weight to representing the interests of Canadian industry abroad. It is aggressively promoting a "Team Canada" approach: in effect, GSC plays an advocacy role to assist the sale of Canadian geoscience industry products and services outside of Canada. The International Office had a productive first year of operation. Of particular note is its success in catalyzing Canadian participation in the "Borders" project, an exciting new four-country geoscience mapping project in South America funded principally by the Inter-American Development Bank, and in developing strong working links with Mexico, Argentina and Brazil -- all of which may lead to opportunities for Canadian industry.
An exhibit coordinated by staff from GSC's Atlantic and Pacific offices also showcased Canadian geoscience expertise and technology at an international trade show, Oceans '94, in Brest, France in September. The goal was to establish a network of European contacts with a view to promoting the export potential of Canadian science- based technology in coastal environmental management. The GSC exhibit featured 18 companies from across Canada, all of which had been recently involved with the GSC in contracts and joint ventures on marine geoscience and technology issues.
Hugh Bostock, one of GSC's most respected scientists, died in Ottawa on February 1, 1994. Born in Vancouver in 1901, Dr. Bostock made a lasting contribution to the geological mapping and understanding of the Yukon. He spent 25 field seasons in the Yukon, during which he traversed its rugged terrain on foot, by canoe or pack horse. On October 24, 1994, the Yukon Government announced that the highest mountain in the McQuesten Valley would be named in his honour. Mount Bostock was well known to Dr. Bostock, being in an area he studied for 15 years. In his 1979 publication "Pack Horse Tracks", he refers to it: "From here the view in all directions is amazing for so inconspicuous a top...". Hugh Bostock (far right) is shown here with his 1933 crew near Pelly Crossing, Yukon.
1994 brought many honours to GSC staff: Michael Berry received the Canadian Geophysical Union's Wilson Medal; the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists presented two GSC scientists, Benoit Beauchamp and Ashton Embry, with Tracks Awards for their role as prime organizers of the successful 1993 Pangea Conference; Allen Galley received the Carleton University Senate Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement; the International Astronomical Union named an asteroid after Alan Hildebrand to honour his discovery of the Chicxulub crater, Yucatan, Mexico; Lubomir Jansa was honoured with two Czech medals: the Masaryk Gold Medal and the Agricola Medal; Brian Norford was awarded the Geological Association of Canada's J. Willis Ambrose Medal; François Robert received the Jean Descarreaux Award of the Association des Prospecteurs du Québec and the Julian Boldy Award from the Geological Association of Canada; Michael Schmidt was elected a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society; Denis St-Onge joined explorers Stanley, Nansen and Amundsen as a recipient of the Scottish Geographical Medal; and K. Wang was awarded the K.C. Wong Award for 1994. Finally, both the Ontario Science Centre and the Northwest Territories Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists made special awards honouring the contributions of the GSC as a scientific agency.
Christy Vodden