SUMMARY
As part of its mandate of protecting the public, Professional Geoscientists Ontario (PGO) is responsible for maintaining standards of practice of professional geoscientists licensed in Ontario. One of the primary ways of achieving this is through our complaints, investigation and discipline processes. During this presentation a number of complaints and discipline cases involving geoscientists from Ontario and some other selected jurisdictions in Canada, will be reviewed in terms how things can go wrong and highlighting key lessons learned in the context of professional practice. National statistics and trends from across Canada regarding complaints and discipline cases brought against professional geoscientists will also be presented along with some specific information and statistics on illegal practice in Ontario.
SUMMARY
We will discuss how the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is being enacted across Canada, and what the potential implications are for the resource industry and geoscientists who advise on matters related to management and development of land and resources. We will also discuss how industries across Canada are adopting principles of UNDRIP into their own professional practices.
Presentation 3: Evolving Liability in The Current Environmental and Natural Resources Regulatory Landscape and Impact of Climate Change on Public Reporting
Speakers: Chuck Birchall, Partner, Certified Specialist in Environmental Law, and Rich Butler, Partner, MSc, Environmental Science, Willms & Shier - SEE SPEAKERS' BIOS
SUMMARY
Canada is a global leader in advocating for safe and sustainable natural resource extraction. However, incidents such as a tailings breach or a fish kill are reminders that natural resource activities carry environmental risks and liabilities. When accidents happen, causing adverse environmental effects, companies may be prosecuted by the Provincial and Federal governments, or be subject to civil lawsuits. It often comes as a surprise to corporate directors and officers (D&Os) that the Ontario Government can and does issue orders pursuant to the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) against D&Os directly and personally for environmental investigation and remediation. This presentation will explore how the environmental and natural resource regulatory landscape has changed in the last 10 years; including climate change issues, insurance trends, and industry best practices.
SUMMARY
High profile failures, such as the Mount Polley Tailings Dam failure in British Columbia and the Fundão and Fejãio Tailings Dams failures in Brazil, result in investigations and regulatory changes that impact both the professional and personal lives of those directly involved, as well as Professional Geoscientists and Professional Engineers in other jurisdictions. Some of the changes to the regulation of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists in British Columbia following the Mount Polley tailings dam failure and some of the changes that have occurred internationally following the Brazilian tailings dam failures will be discussed.
Register online for this session or for the full Symposium.
