The unified voice of Earth Science in Canada Elisabeth C. Kosters Managing director

Purpose of this presentation 1.Overview of recent accomplishments 2.Vulnerable position of CFES 3.Need for input and feedback from Academia

CFES constituency 13 member organizations PDAC CIM GAC MAC CSPG CSEG CWLS CanQua CAG CNC-IAH CGS CPTG CCCESD (CGEN) Financial situation critical Membership fees plus one government grant cover 60% of our operational costs

CFES linkages to other National and International organizations & activities 1.CFES is a Member of PAGSE: –Partnership Group for Science and Engineering 2.CFES is an observer at CCPG (and v.v.) –Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists 3.CFES is the National host for 1.Canadian National Committee for the International Year of Planet Earth ( ) 2.Canadian GeoParks Committee (UNESCO) 3.Canadian Stratigraphy Commission

CFES Mission: to be the unified voice of Earth Science in Canada Goals: 1.Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science in Canadians’ daily lives 2.Enhance understanding of the role of Earth Science in: –environmental, natural hazard and climate studies –Securing and responsibly developing Canada’s energy, mineral and water resources 3.Provide service to all Canadian Earth Scientists 4.Communicate with decision makers (lobbying)

2 open letters to Prime Minister Harper September 2008 Congratulate the PM on the $100m financing of the GEM program warn him that these funds are insufficient for the necessary task warn him that the job may not be finished eventually to due impending labour shortage February 2009 (Hill Times) Express serious concerns about the funding cuts for the three granting agencies warn of the consequences of not training young researchers when we face future HQP labour shortages Warn that these cuts may encourage a brain drain to the US after the election of president Barack Obama Communicating with decision makers

First CFES/FCST Mentorship Medal awarded to Paul Williams (UNB), May 23, 2009 Service to all Canadian Earth Scientists

Canadian National Committee for GeoParks The Global Network of National Geoparks,assisted by UNESCO, provides a platform of cooperation between experts and practitioners in geological heritage. “Under the umbrella of UNESCO, and through exchange between the global network partners, important national geological sites gain worldwide recognition and profit through the exchange of knowledge, and staff with other Geoparks” 64 National Geoparks in 19 Member States worldwide Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science

Canadian National Committee for GeoParks Currently no GeoParks in Canada or the United States Working towards North American GeoPark Network with US committee Stonehammer GeoPark (NB) proposal close to being submitted Photo Noel Chenier, Times Telegraph Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science

Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science

Canadian IYPE Projects Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science

Four Billion years and Counting Part 1 – Foundations Part 2 – Evolution of Canada Part 3 – Wealth and Health Rocks to Riches, Water: A Clear Necessity, Environmental Impacts, Building Canada Part 4 – Canada now Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science

Responsibilities CNC-IYPE  CFES CanGeoRef agreement signed! Where IS that picture?

CFES Long term strategic document The premise: Society (Canada) faces many critical issues, some of which are constrained by Earth Society (Canada) cannot address these issues without contributions from earth scientists Necessary to develop a Canadian perspective on these issues HOW ARE WE GOING ABOUT DEVELOPING THIS PERSPECTIVE? First iteration: spring ‘09 Feedback at workshop at CFES Montrealspring ‘09 Feedback from ESAAP members summer ‘09 Feedback from member societies fall ‘09

CFES Long term strategic document feedback from member societies: Earth Science Literacy – CGEN (our outreach and education network) Climate change – (position statement / CMOS /.....?) Mineral Resources – the mining sector (PDAC) Energy - the petroleum sector (CSPG, CSEG, CWLS) –Uranium - CIM The North Hazards – CAG, CanQua, CGS Water – CNC-IAH (CCA) Research and Human Resources - CCCESD

The unified voice of Earth Science in Canada