WHO WE ARE

Professional Geoscientists Ontario (PGO) is a self-regulatory organization governing the practice of professional geoscience in Ontario and reporting to the Minister of Mines. Our organization is governed by a twenty-member Council, and is supported by committees of geoscience professionals and a small, dedicated staff. PGO was created in 2000 when the Professional Geoscientists Act received Royal Assent on June 23, 2000.


MISSION

Professional Geoscientists Ontario protects the public by regulating Ontario registered geoscientists and advancing professional practice.

VISION

To maintain and continually improve PGO as a trusted, respected and effective regulatory authority.

WHAT GEOSCIENTISTS DO

Geoscience is the acquisition and application of knowledge about the earth, its properties and processes. Professional geoscientists provide advice and make decisions in the interests of the public in the areas of:

Mineral Resources
Exploration, valuation, development and extraction of mineral resources;
Geo-hazards
Understanding and predicting geo-hazards, including earthquakes and landslides;
Infrastructure Projects
The general behaviour of rocks and soils, with application to the location and construction of bridges, dams and large buildings;
Water, the Environment and Ecosystems
Understanding and predicting the interaction of water, soils and rocks, including natural and man-induced contamination; water quality and the movement of water on the surface and the subsurface, through soils and rock formations;
Public Health
Understanding the occurrence and movement of naturally occurring elements in soil, water and rocks and the risks and benefits for people and the biosphere.

WHAT PGO DOES

Our mandate is to serve and protect the public interest by governing the practice of professional geoscience in Ontario. To accomplish this, the Province of Ontario has entrusted PGO with the responsibility to register geoscientists, admit only qualified persons who pass standards of knowledge and experience, maintain standards of practice and ethics, respond to complaints concerning our registrants, discipline when necessary and encourage continuing professional competence.

WHY REGISTER

The Professional Geoscientists Act requires that geoscientists who practice in Ontario are registrants in good standing of PGO and, as such, maintain standards of practice and ethics and are held accountable for the decisions they make and the advice they provide. This self-regulating system is preferred as it is geoscientists who are the most knowledgeable about their profession and have much to offer in implementing the legislation and regulations set by the government.


APGO IS NOW PGO

Following careful deliberations among Council and Staff, the Council made a decision to introduce the new business name of Professional Geoscientists Ontario (PGO) for use in our day-to-day communications and activities. On June 14, 2019, the new name, Professional Geoscientists Ontario, was launched. Learn more