Ontario-BC Agreement Improves Labour Mobility for Geoscience Professionals

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA and TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 22, 2013) - The Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO) and the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (APEGBC) have signed an agreement that will support improved labour mobility for geoscience professionals in both provinces. The agreement will be implemented as a two-year pilot program taking effect January 1, 2014.

The Professional Geoscience Mobility Agreement will allow geoscience professionals registered in one of the signatory provinces to perform short-term work - no more than 45 days per year - in the other, without the need to hold a licence in that province. Geoscience practice in Canada is regulated in 11 provinces and territories; with the exception of short-term work between BC and Ontario under the new agreement, geoscientists must hold a separate licence for every jurisdiction in which they practice. APEGBC and APGO are the only geoscience regulators in Canada whose legislation permits them to enter into this type of agreement.

In addition to reducing the regulatory burden for both geoscientists and regulators alike, the agreement has positive implications for public protection. Now, a single organization - the geoscientist's home association - will have disciplinary responsibility for that individual, regardless of whether a complaint occurs in BC or Ontario, eliminating the need for multiple discipline processes to assure public protection in both jurisdictions.

Due to the nature of their work, many professional geoscientists practice in more than one province. Consultation has shown strong support for geoscience practice mobility from members of APEGBC and APGO; 84.7% of survey respondents indicated that the ability to carry out short-term assignments in other jurisdictions would be beneficial to their practice.

The Professional Geoscience Mobility Agreement supports the national Agreement on Internal Trade, further enhancing practice mobility for Ontario and BC geoscientists with the economic benefit of helping to address regional skilled labour shortages in the mining, natural resource and energy sectors.

The practice of geoscience encompasses geology, geophysics, geochemistry and environmental geoscience, and encompasses activities using the sciences that study the structure and dynamics of the Earth. Professional geoscientists, identified by the designation "P.Geo." are qualified by academic, experience and professional practice standards.

Founded in 2000, APGO governs the practice of professional geoscience in Ontario. With over 2,000 members, APGO is the second largest geoscience regulator in Canada.

Founded in 1920, APEGBC is the regulatory and licensing body for the professions of engineering and geoscience in British Columbia. With over 29,000 members, APEGBC is one of the largest professional associations in BC.