News Article April 2005

The weather in Atlantic Canada this winter has been rough to say the least. We had one week in January when nearly 4 feet of snow fell and 80 km. winds moved it into giant drifts. Hopefully, as we move into March, the warmer sun will bring the grass back into view.

CanWell 2004 has come and gone and as the BC group basks in the glow of their tremendous success, the Atlantic Canadian team putting CanWell 2006 together have a very tough act to follow. My hat is off to the BC group and we wish much success to the group organizing for 2006 at Charlottetown, PEI.

The Canadian Board met in Moncton N.B. on November 26 and 27, 2004 and discussed many issues which are vital to the Canadian groundwater industry as we move into the 21st century.

The Board of Director Meeting highlights included, but were not limited to the following issues:

(1) We came away from the Biennial General Meeting with four new Contractor Members, a new technical Director and a new M&S Director. Six in all and quite a turnover for one two-year term. The new Contractor Members include Mr. Mike Friesen from Saskatchewan, Mr. Darcy Schmidt from Alberta, Mr. Derek McIntyre from Ontario and Mr. John Friesen from Manitoba. The new Technical Director is Mr. Alan Robison from Prince Edward Island and the new M&S Director is Mr. Shawn Davidson from Nova Scotia.

(2) The certification of small water systems was discussed and each Provincial Director made comments as to what was happening in their home Provinces.

(3) The Petro-Canada program was discussed and it was noted that only approximately 5 percent of our members are taking part. In 2004, the program generated approximately $8,000 for the Canadian in rebates and approximately $32,000 for the Canadian members taking part. We must work with all our members in future to increase benefits for all. We continue to work on other rebate issues, including Petro-Pass, Bulk, Heating Oil, etc.

(4) The Board agreed to encourage all Provincial Associations to create their own web site and, therefore, link to the Canadian web site. The Board agreed not to post provincial membership lists on the Canadian site but refer interested parties to the provincial sites to obtain membership information. The new Freedom of Information legislation will prohibit the Canadian from making membership information available to the public.

(5) The Directors reviewed the Minutes of the Biennial General Membership and any questions were answered and noted. 47 people attended the meeting and 41 of the 47 were eligible to vote. The turnout was quite small considering that approximately 500 people attended CanWell 2004.

(6) The Board agreed that the Association purchase and put into place an accounting system called Simply Accounting and later a motion was made and passed to upgrade the computer system in the Canadian office to a maximum cost of $2,000.

(7) The Directors discussed sick and accidental insurance, including life insurance for our members. We are working with some Canadian companies for quotes and also reviewing the National Ground Water Association programs.

(8) With the upgrade of our computer equipment, it is hoped that monthly updates can go out to our Directors and Stakeholders, including Provincial offices and past Directors. The new equipment will include capability for .pdf files. Although this is expensive, it is hoped that it will improve communications across Canada.

(9) The location for CanWell 2008 was discussed and a decision should be made at the Spring Board of Directors Meeting. There is some interest from one or more Western Canadian Provinces.

(10) Some Provinces have written a letter to the Canadian Board asking for the Petro-Canada rebate to be partly distributed to the user Provincial Association, as well as to the Canadian and the cardholder. Our office will meet with Petro-Canada and make these arrangements.

(11) The Canadian office and Executive members continue to work with Quebec on re-joining the Canadian Association. We have met with the Quebec Directors and expect a very positive move in March of 2005.

(12) The 2006 CanWell group, represented by Alan Robison and Shawn Davidson, gave a preliminary report to the Board and the Board was very satisfied with their progress to date. The Registration Co-Ordinator is Patti Josey and we know everything will go well with Patti on board.

(13) The Board suggested that President Bill Kyte and myself attend the National Ground Water show on behalf of the Canadian and also Alan Robison to promote CanWell 2006.

(14) The Board agreed to meet next at the Ontario Ground Water gathering in Lindsay on April 8 and 9, 2005. There will also be committee meetings on Certification and Government Liaison and Health.

(15) The Board made a decision to only accept actual pump installation experience as the criteria to write the Pump Installer Technician Certification examinations. In the past there was confusion as to whether the examinations could be written by plumbers, electricians, mill rights, etc., even though they may have no actual pump installers experience. This move should clear up the confusion.

(16) The National Silent Auction was discussed and hopefully will be ready to post on our web site after the April Director's Meeting. If you plan on donating a prize, please let our office know.

Many other issues were discussed at the November Board Meeting and the Minutes will be available to all after the April Board Meeting.

I have been asked by the CanWell 2006 Committee to ask all of our members across Canada for suggestions for Technical Sessions at Charlottetown in 2006. Don't be shy, let Alan and his Committee know.

Alan can be reached at:

Phone: 902-368-5048
Fax: 902-368-5830
Email: amrobison@gov.pe.ca

In closing, I would like to talk for a few seconds about a beautiful 8 year old girl, Serena Cucovaz, who wants to drill a water well for a poor African community. Serena wrote the Board of Directors a letter in November 2004, and I have asked Chris Skalkos of the Canadian Ground Water Magazine to reprint a copy of Serena's letter. I hope after you have read the letter you will open up your hearts and your wallets and help Serena achieve her goal. She is presently approximately $1,500 short after nearly 2 years of fundraising efforts. We have also included an address where you may contact Serena.

That is it from this corner for now. Please contact Valerie or myself at your convenience if you have any questions. I hope to see you at some of the 2005 Provincial gatherings.