14
Geotechnical News September 2011
CGS NEWS
of the University of Alberta. “The Ca-
nadianAcademy of Engineering (CAE)
is the national institution through which
Canada’s most distinguished and expe-
rienced engineers provide strategic ad-
vice on matters of critical importance
to Canada.” This recognition of the
contribution to engineering of both of
these CGS members is most appropri-
ate. We congratulate them both.
There seem to be unlimited opportu-
nities for young geotechnical engineers
to learn and prosper at the present time.
It has not always been so. When I first
graduated in 1974, there was almost
no work for geotechnical engineers in
British Columbia so off went most of
my class to Alberta. Then came the ear-
ly 1980s when geotechnical unemploy-
ment was at an all time high, at least
in Western Canada. Thereafter employ-
ment prospects grew with some ups
and downs and, now, we appear to be
in a golden period where geotechnical
engineers are in great demand, not only
in Canada but around the world. Cana-
dian universities are graduating more
engineers who choose geotechnical
engineering as a career more than ever.
Yet this buoyancy in our profession is
not reflected in the level of member-
ship of the CGS. Why is this so?
We know that one of the reasons our
membership has levelled off is because
so many stalwart members are retiring.
The first few generations of geotechni-
cal engineers are now passing through
the ranks. The notable exception is
Gordon McRostie who has attended
every annual CGS Conference, save
one! An essentially level membership
may reflect that the originators of our
Society have deeper ties than those
who follow them. Or it may be that our
society is not as relevant to the cur-
rent generation as it once was. There is
little doubt that the present generation
of geotechnical engineers have inher-
ited a technical society that was built
by dedicated individuals and continues
to prosper.
Our VP, Finance, Mr. Peter Gaffran,
tells me that for every $200 in member-
ship dues we pay out over $300. The
differential comes from conference
profits and sales of the Canadian Foun-
dation Engineering Manual. So, our
members get good value for their dues.
So, what are the issues with mem-
bership? The CGS, under the guidance
of our Past-President, Michel Aubertin,
have struck a Membership Task Force
Committee led by Dr. Richard Bathurst,
as Chair. This Committee will try to
identify incentives for young engi-
neers to join the CGS. In the meantime,
please encourage younger geotechnical
engineers to join the CGS which can be
an essential part of their technical and
professional development. Participa-
tion in the CGS is one window into the
national culture of engineering which
is vital to the continued prosperity of
the country. With hard work our young
geotechnical engineers can achieve
what CGS members, Drs. Becker and
Sego, have just achieved; a voice at the
very highest levels of engineering in
our country.
Le Message du Président
Mon rôle de Président m’amène à avoir
plusieurs fonctions. En mai 2011, j’ai
participé à la cinquième Conférence
canadienne sur la géotechnique et les
risques naturels qui se tenait sur le
campus de l’université de Colombie
Britannique à Kelowna. La première
journée consistait enune visite de terrain
associée aux risques géologiques dans
la vallée de l’Okanagan, qui repose sur
des terrasses de silt glaciolacustres.
Après des dizaines d’années à parcourir
l’Okanagan, j’ai finalement compris
comment ces silts glaciolacustres
s’y sont déposés. Sur ces silts
repose un imposant développement
résidentiel ainsi que quelques-uns
des meilleurs vignobles du Canada.
La conférence elle-même incluait
plusieurs présentations vedettes, dont
celle donnée par le Dr Mike Porter de
BGC Engineering sur «L’évolution
de la gestion des risques associés à
la géologie de Vancouver Nord». Les
organisateurs de la conférence, Dr
Dwayne Tannant, Dr Rick Guthrie et
leur équipe ont fait un excellent travail.
Bien que j’aurais dû le savoir bien
