Welcome and Introduction
McNutt opened the meeting with a welcome to all attending, and emphasized that the meeting had two main agenda items, one being a discussion of the Earth Science Sector (ESS) S&T Capacity Study, and the second being the Future Direction of the CGC.
Approval of, and Business Arising from the Minutes of the 98th Council meeting (Toronto)
McMillan moved and Morgan seconded the approval of the Minutes of the 98th Council Meeting and Council voted on approval.
McNutt reported that John Thompson had declined to accept the Chair of the Committee to review the Mineral Deposit Division of GSC, but Bob Cathro had accepted. Also, the president had written to the Canadian Council of professional Geoscientists (CCPG) regarding the review of the new syllabus. McNutt had also contacted the GSC regarding the planning of the 99th Council meeting.
Reports of the CGC Committees have not been prepared, as these committees are dormant as the new future roles of the CGC are debated.
Discussion of Earth Science Sector, NRCan S&T Capacity Study for Next Decade
The Council discussed the following points. These are presented in the order of discussion.
- The GSC introduced the study. It began about a year ago, as a result of Privy Council asking for a Science and Technology (S&T) study from all government departments involved in S&T. The study will conclude within the next 2 to 3 months, and input is asked for from the geoscience community. This study is an early element of a new strategic plan that will eventually see a closer integration of Geomatics Canada and the GSC, possibly next year. It was explained that while the mineral sector is still an important client sector to the GSC, there are many other clients, and the first client is the Minister and through the Minister, the Cabinet. A brief description of the structure of the GSC was presented.
- It was agreed that timing was of the essence and that the GSC will provide a revised edition of the report by the first week of February and this will be available on the CGC Web Page. The CGC Member Societies agreed to have their comments completed by the end of February/first of March, and emailed directly to the GSC with a copy supplied to CGC Issues Director (Hall), so that he can consolidate and collate the collective response from CGC.
- A discussion evolved about the client base of the GSC. The public good is determined by the politicians, who then, through Cabinet or the PMO, instruct the Department Minister, who in turn instructs the DM and ADM who finally instruct the GSC on the issues and programs dealing with public good. The importance of the mining sector client base was raised, as well as the reality that there is a changing broader client base emerging dealing with environmental and global change issues.
- The present and future issues dealing with human resources, as well as physical and financial resources within the GSC were discussed. Are these being re-allocated? Will there be future needs for more or different skill sets? Some of these issues will be dealt with in the future strategic plan, but the latest plan referred to as the blue book did contain a breakdown of resource issues on page 19. The GSC recognizes that manpower skill requirements are changing, and that the current S&T study is a work in progress and these issues will be addressed. It was noted that 30% of the GSC staff will be retiring within the next decade, and replacements will have to come from non-traditional sources. This change will require more programs of partnership, and there are now some programs of internship that are not well known. In the USA, the erosion of the geosciences at the primary school and secondary school levels was the basis of the USA problem at colleges and universities. GSC noted that a recent human resources skills program at Geomatics spent $200K to support students.
- The initiative of the GSC to recognize change and adapt to it was applauded. The broadening of the geoscience base and the breakdown in compartmentalization of the geosciences is good. There are ongoing discussions with provincial surveys, dealing with the clarification of changing roles. Also within the Survey, there is recognition of a cultural change whereby employees represent more than just their own scientific interests, but relate more with their clients’ interests.
- Partnerships were discussed, and the GSC is involved in a number, including partnerships with industry, academia and other provincial and federal government agencies. The GSC often acts as the conduit with academia and industry to help geoscience through the support of individuals.
- The role of the GSC in continuing education was discussed. It was pointed out that Alberta/Calgary has a critical mass of geoscientists that is an educational resource, and that the geosciences are alive and well in the West. The GSC has considered its role in continuing education, especially through its Geoscience Knowledge Education Network (GKEN).
- Concerning geoscience leadership in Canada, the GSC is looking forward rather than back. It recognizes that there must be a renewed leadership of the geosciences in Canada, but it cannot any longer take the lead role, but will work closely with and be very supportive of such leadership. It is recognized that the GSC still has excellent recognition within the community. The role of the CGC in this shared leadership would be to make the case for government funding of the geosciences in Ottawa.
- Communications are an ongoing issue, and is there an objective within the GSC of public communications? Part of the problem is that there is no mechanism to reward scientists for good communications, and such a program would be desirable.
The discussion ended about 10:50 am, and it was agreed that the Member Societies would get their comments on the S&T study to both the GSC and to Jeremy Hall by the end of February.
Future Directions for CGC
Gartner gave a brief presentation based on his position paper regarding a new direction for the CGC. Basically, he suggested that Council narrow its focus to issues dealing with the "science of geoscience", and leave other geoscience issues to other issue to other associations and organizations, and broaden its support to include five additional sectors as follows:
- The Mineral Sector
- The Energy Sector
- The Government Sector
- The Academic Sector
- The Environmental/Geotechnology Sector
- The Existing Learned Society Sector
The Council would seek funding from these Sectors and in return the Council would actively support each Sector’s interest in geoscience issues. A potential issues list was distributed.
The following discussions took place.
- CGC has been spoon fed by government during its history, and we now must effect a mind-set change and define a model that is acceptable to the majority of member societies.
- It will be difficult to obtain financial support in the form of donations, but money could be raised through conferences, publications, etc.
- Many member societies have been asking for change, and we are pleased to see that change is being formulated. The geosciences need an advocate for many issues.
- Many of the issues are already identified, and there is no need to identify further issues. We need a better implementation for pursuing the issues.
- Council must re-organize how it brings issues to the table, and all comments are welcome.
- Members generally agreed that a fee raise was necessary, and most supported this in concept, but there was not support for a huge increase. At present the cost is about 50 cents to 70 cents per member. If Council was to be supported only by the existing learned societies, this cost would have to increase to $10 or $20 per member, and this is just not viable.
- The proposed budget of about $200K per year was questioned, and should be re-visited, and all agreed.
- It would be inappropriate for the majority of funding to come from just one sector, as this might be construed as one sector trying to leverage the geosciences to their own purposes. Thus, we should strive for a balance of funding.
- Members of Council should articulate one issue each that they would like to see raised at the upcoming Mines’ Ministers Meeting, and the Issues Director will put together a position paper on these issues.
- The Business Manager and the Financial Director will look at the general funding of Council, especially as it applies to fee changes for Member Societies.
In summary, the following implementation process was agreed:
President, Directors and Business Manager’s Reports
These reports were tabled and are on file for reference.
Reports of Member Societies and Associate
All participants representing their Member Societies gave verbal and some written reports.
Items Arising from this Meeting
Next Meeting
It was suggested that the next meeting of Council be held in June at the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologist Conference in Calgary. The President will look into this and advise.
The meeting was adjourned.
Minutes prepared by John F. Gartner, Business Manager, February 19,1999
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