LETTER TO THE EDITOR — Time for a national geoscience association

In recent months, there has been a new imperative that geoscientists be registered with a professional organization. This follows the practice already in place for engineers.

As Canadians, we need to look at how professional registration is conducted. Each provincial body is responsible for its respective province and although much is made of portability of registration, this is not actually the case. Geoscientists practising in numerous areas of the country will be required to be registered in different provinces. In my case, I am registered as a professional geoscientist in Saskatchewan and I work in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Unless I register in Manitoba, I become ineligible to call myself a geoscientist when I cross the border from Saskatchewan to Manitoba.

This is a nonsensical situation that restricts the ability of Canadians to move and work freely in their own country. In addition, there is considerable expense attached to each registration, not to mention the frustration at having to deal with an ever-increasing bureaucracy.

The reason behind registration is primarily to protect the public, and this is commendable. However, registration offers engineers and geoscientists no significant benefit, yet they are asked to bear the cost of protecting the public. What they seem to be supporting is provincial infrastructure and administrative costs that could be more effectively managed through a national body.

Professional registration of geoscientists and engineers should be done by a national body that ensures uniform standards and allows for individual mobility.

I suggest that all geoscientists and engineers withhold their memberships in provincial professional organizations pending the formation of a national body, or a policy that allows any member of a provincial professional organization to practise freely, without bureaucratic hindrance, anywhere in Canada.

Buz Trevor

Fin Flon, Man.