The Order of Geologists of Quebec was placed “under administration” on Thursday because its “financial health” and “control over the practice of the profession” would be at risk.
Published yesterday at 8:53 p.m.
This was announced by the professional regulator, the Office des Professions du Québec, in a press release at the end of the day.
The decision results from “significant deficiencies” that the office identified “particularly with regard to the governance and financial management” of the Order of Geologists of Quebec (OGQ).
“This situation calls into question the OGQ’s ability to fulfill its primary mission of protecting the public and requires that it be placed under administration in accordance with the law,” the release continued, without providing further details deficiencies to be mentioned.
A spokesman for the Office des Professions du Québec did not immediately respond to questions emailed Thursday evening.
The OGQ brings together more than 1,500 professionals working “in the development and exploitation of mineral resources, in the fields of environmental characterization, hydrogeology, geotechnical engineering and geophysics,” as we can read on its website.
A deadline that is “soon to expire.”
The OGQ's placement under administration means that the decisions of its board are subject to the approval of the designated administrators. This can also recommend that the OGQ board adopt resolutions and corrective measures in order to meet the requirements of the professional regulations.
In one of its final communications to its members on October 20, the OGQ board informed them of the postponement of its annual general meeting to a later date “due to exceptional circumstances.”
The OGQ board then stated that it was “aware” that the deadline set in the professional regulations for holding the 2023 annual general meeting would “soon be exceeded”. “The council has informed the Office des Professions du Québec of this situation. “The office has agreed to this request,” the letter says.
Professional associations are self-governing organizations subject to the supervision of the Office des Professions du Québec.