25th Anniversary Celebration Highlights – Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future

On Friday, June 6, 2025, Professional Geoscientists Ontario (PGO) marked a major milestone—25 years of self-regulation in Ontario—with a memorable evening at the Northern Lights Ballroom of the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel. The event brought together professional geoscientists, regulatory leaders, volunteers, and guests to celebrate the profession’s legacy, contributions, and future.

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An Event to Remember

The event began with a wine tasting and networking reception, followed by a dinner program that blended reflection, recognition, and inspiration. Guests enjoyed a three-course meal, engaging conversation, and a keynote address by renowned explorer and author Dr. Adam Shoalts, Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Dr. Shoalts shared stories of his expeditions across Canada’s remote landscapes, offering reflections on curiosity, resilience, and exploration.

Connecting Generations

The program featured remarks that bridged the past and the future of the profession:

Dr. Bill Pearson, PGO’s Founding President and Chair of the APGO Education Foundation, reflected on the early vision behind the formation of PGO and the importance of preserving its regulatory role. Alicia Kimberley, Vice President of PGO Council, delivered forward-looking remarks, underscoring the evolving responsibilities of geoscientists and the profession’s continued role in serving the public interest.

Together, their reflections highlighted the enduring values that ground self-regulation—integrity, competence, and accountability.

PGO Award of Merit

PGO was proud to present its highest organizational honour, the PGO Award of Merit, to Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo., FGC. This award recognized his foundational role in establishing the organization and his sustained contributions to professional geoscience in Ontario. Dr. Pearson received a standing ovation from attendees, a fitting tribute to someone who, along with a core group of committed geoscientists, advanced the daunting task of establishing an organization with a public protection mandate from the ground up.

Geoscientists Canada Awards

PGO was pleased to host the national award presentations from Geoscientists Canada, recognizing service and leadership in support of professional self-regulation across Canada:

Andrea Waldie, P.Geo., FGC – 2025 Canadian Professional Geoscientist of the Year Award
This award honours a professional geoscientist who has made an outstanding contribution to the development and practice of geoscience in Canada. It recognizes a strong professional career, a record of voluntary service, and commitment to advancing public awareness of geoscience as a regulated profession.

Robert Hearst, P.Geo. and Michael Jones, P.Geo. – 2025 Fellows of Geoscientists Canada (FGC)
The FGC designation is conferred on individuals who have demonstrated noteworthy service to the geoscience profession—through leadership, long-term volunteer service, or contributions to the regulation and advancement of geoscience in Canada. These honours reflect the values and responsibilities tied to the public protection mandate of self-regulatory bodies.

Acknowledgments

PGO extends its sincere thanks to the following:

• The 25th Anniversary Planning Committee chaired by Clayton Sereres, P.Geo and whose membership comprised of Kelly Bolduc- O'Hare, Kristin Hanson, Paul Hubley, Melanie Siewert, Andrea Waldie, Carmen Li-Tsang and Marilen Miguel, for their behind-the-scenes work that ensured a successful and meaningful event.
• Our Partner Sponsor, Notarius, for their generous support and continued collaboration.
• Our Wine Tasting Sponsor, Malivoire, for the amazing experience.
• APGO Education Foundation, for a very informative session on its various public education initiatives.
• Our speaker, Adam Shoalts, for his engaging keynote talk.
• All attendees, PGO staff, and volunteers who helped mark this important occasion.

Reflecting on 25 Years of Self-Regulation

This anniversary marked more than a milestone—it offered a moment to reflect on the responsibilities that come with the privilege of self-regulation. It underscored the shared commitment of professional geoscientists to uphold public trust through integrity, accountability, and service. As Dr. Bill Pearson noted in his acceptance remarks for the PGO Award of Merit:

“Above all, remember that having a self-regulatory organization is a privilege—and one in which we should always aspire to maintain the highest professional standards in protection of the public. That is how our profession earns the public’s trust and respect.”