News Article July 26 2005

I have spent the past few days researching issues of the Canadian Ground Water Magazine and other committee meeting notes going back as far back as 1995, or approximately 10 years, and have found that at times, the same issues that we struggle with today were reviewed and discussed in the 1990’s.

The three issues that seem to be on everyone’s minds are communication, finances and industry training and certification.

The communication issue is a tough one, of course, because of the vast size of the country. The rank and file members seem to be missing out on concise up-to-date information. Although the Canadian office is able to communicate on a regular basis with our Directors, very often that information does not filter down to the individual members. The Provinces who publish newsletters to their members regularly are not always given information from the Canadian and, therefore, do not include Canadian news.

During my involvement, now almost three years, the Directors have often talked about communication with the grass roots members. This year they have done something about it. We have purchased new computer equipment to go with our new web site, which will now include newsletters from the Canadian office and Board of Directors.

On the financial side, the Canadian from day one has been short of funds, or as the Directors say, financially embarrassed. Many Directors have traveled to meetings and taken the expense on the chin or had to be helped out by their more prosperous provincial association. This has not been quite as bad in the last year or so but only because of a very successful convention in British Columbia and also the generosity of some provinces and members.

The Directors are adamant at this time that we will not raise dues, although we are now paying only approximately 20 to 30% of the average dues for a national association. The lack of funds weaken our association in areas of groundwater research and development and a visible national lobby group for Canada’s groundwater, our most valuable natural resource.

We are now in the midst of re-negotiating our rebate program with Petro-Canada. The new deal will hopefully give .75 cents per litre to both the Canadian and the provincial association where the product is consumed. We are looking at bulk fuel rebates however this must be negotiated with different suppliers across Canada on a regional basis and it is very complex at this time. We are also looking at other suppliers to the industry and, of course, the Federal and Provincial Governments.

I believe that I must, as part of my job, raise funds for the Canadian; however, to be successful you must help me by getting involved in our chosen fundraising initiatives.

In the area of industry training and certification, we are making progress, although if you are on the outside looking in, you may think this too is going slow.

We are proud of the programs and students being trained at Red Deer College and Sir Sandford Fleming College as each year more knowledgeable, better trained and professional individuals join our industry.

We now have five of our ten provinces using Canadian Certification as a model for their provincial certification. We now have individuals from every province and territory in Canada certified with the Canadian. We are now invoicing certified members for certification renewals and posting these individuals on our web site. We must continue to strive for a qualified, competent and certified workforce within the industry.

The following issues are being addressed by the Canadian office as we move into summer.

Our new computer system is in place and we continue to work to provide better communication across Canada. Please check out your web site at www.cgwa.org.
I will be meeting with our newest members in Quebec on August 9, 2005, to address their issues as we move forward. There is a possibility of a Quebec CanWell in 2010.
Our national silent auction is now online and the first items which will be taken off by October 29th are receiving bids. To view the items just go to our web site and click on sponsors. You may bid online or by phone or fax to our office. This is our off-CanWell year fundraiser. Please make a bid and watch for our next list of items to be added in September.
The application for certification has been reviewed and revamped to reflect that only applicants with the required relevant work experience acceptable to the CGWA will be allowed to write certification exams, regardless of their trade or profession.

In closing, please keep in mind the importance of your national association as your national advocacy lobby for the management and protection of groundwater. We must continually strive to serve as stewards of the resource, to educate our members and the public on the proper utilization of groundwater.

Please keep in mind the dates for the Atlantic Water Well Convention and School being held in Moncton NB on October 27, 28 and 29, 2005. Always a good time for all. The Executive of the Canadian Association will be meeting in Moncton on these dates as well.

That’s it for now. Keep well and good drilling. Our office will be open all summer. Please feel free to get in touch with Valerie or myself at your convenience.

Congratulations to the following 2005 successful certification exam participants.

Ground Water Pump Technician Class 2

Orest Misyk, Bruce AB
Robin Kimble, Grande Prairie AB
Randy W. Lutyck, Edmonton AB
Jonathan McLean, Fort St. John BC
Chris Gerritsen, Rockyford AB
Rick Peck, Courtenay BC
Martin Byrne, Port Alberni BC
Mike Ante, Courtenay BC
Kris Mitchell, Courtenay BC
Blaine Matuga, Heffley Creek BC
Mike Garthwaite, Saanichton BC
Andy Van Esch, Chilliwack, BC
Ernest Hunter, Thetis Island BC
Monte Ayre, Victoria BC
Jon Williams, Nanaimo BC
Paul V. Anderson, Powell River, BC
Steve MacLean, Quesnel BC
William J. S. Williams, Qualicum Beach BC
Shaun Nuttall, Sechelt BC
Shawn Stone, Watson Lake YT
John Janssen, Dugald MB
Don Jago, Brandon MB
Ray Ford, Matlock MB

Ground Water Pump Technician Class 1

Brandon Smythe, Abbotsford BC
Rickey Ford, Matlock MB

Ground Water Driller Technician

Paul Stahl, Strathmore AB
William Penrod, Strathmore AB
Wade Craig, Edson AB
Don Bombardier, Kamloops BC
Les Connor, Brandon MB
Lyle Paddock, Rivers MB
Peter Scott, Lisle ON