Letters to the Editor Setting the record straight

I would like to respond to comments contained in a letter from Henrik Thalenhorst of the Prospectors and Developers Association which you published July 6. As Energy, Mines and Resources Canada takes pride in its sensitivity to the needs of client groups, I feel it is important to set the record straight on the matter raised in Mr Thalenhorst’s letter.

Mr Thalenhorst suggests emr is disbanding its aeromagnetic survey research group. Let me assure all those concerned by such a prospect that this is an oversimplification. For while the department is making substantial changes in its current aeromagnetic surveying activities we will, in fact, be increasing the funding available for aeromagnetic surveys. These will be contracted out to industry in the future, as will research and development work on aeromagnetic surveying technology, through leverage funding.

The department is also improving industry access to the existing aeromagnetic database and is refocusing the Geological Survey of Canada in-house efforts to tackle the considerable backlog of analytical and interpretative work that needs to be done on the existing aeromagnetic database.

One of the changes to be made will be the termination of the Queenair program. However, the termination of this program does not have to mean a loss to industry.

Indeed, I have asked my officials at the gsc to work with the Department of Supply and Services towards the privatization of this specially-equipped aircraft. We would expect that, given our recent experience in the privatization of the equipment of the Airborne Division of the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, we should be in a position to issue a call for proposals in the near future from industry.

The expertise and wide experience of Peter Hood and his colleagues will certainly not be lost to the system and we are confident that, with the support and co-operation of our colleagues in industry, the gsc can continue to play an important role in the development and application of advanced airborne survey techniques and instrumentation. Pierre O. Perron Energy, Mines and Resources Ottawa