Greetings and happy new year to all CGS members and friends,
I write this greeting at the end of December as the first C19 vaccinations have just commenced. My spirits are rising as I hope for a return to the freedom to travel and meet with family, friends, and colleagues that we normally take for granted. At the same time, I am super thankful that the CGS is in such great financial shape and has been able to weather the C19 storm – starting with many loyal and engaged members from across our industry, the outstanding culture of volunteering and service at the local and national level, and the health of the geotechnical engineering and geoscience industry as a whole.
The society has had excellent leadership, and this has played a very significant role in moving the society forward and keeping it relevant, even during the pandemic. I thank Mario Ruel and his team who have excelled, with VP Technical Rob Kenyon and VP Communications and Member Services Judith Bouchard both providing outstanding leadership for the past two years, and VP Kent Bannister steering the finances of the CGS for an exemplary four years. Many important new initiatives occurred during Mario’s term as President. There is a wonderful new CGS magazine Canadian Geotechnique. Work was initiated and excellent progress was made towards preparation of the next Edition of Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual by Rob with Ken Skaftfeld. There was a very successful launch of University chapters of the CGS, led by Vincent Castonguay (the CGS Young Professionals Rep). Excellent work was undertaken with their regional and divisional/committee ‘constituencies’ by Executive Committee members Billy Singh and Dave Gauthier. Wayne Gibson retired, and society operations were moved into the very capable hands of Lisa Reny and Emily Fournier (at Karma-Link) under the continued direction of our excellent Executive Director Michel Aubertin. Finally, the online meetings (GeoVirtual 2020 in particular, thanks to Justyna Kos-Fairless and Daniel Bertrand and their team) and other enhanced communications during C19 will all serve us well going forward. A highlight for me has been Mario’s warm, engaging spirit, which was front and centre during the GeoVirtual Conference, and I loved it each time we joined Mario in his office - it added much to the positive tone of the overall conference! Bravo Mario, bravo everyone!
We are fortunate that Mamadou Fall, Justyna Kos-Fairless, and Andrea Lougheed have agreed to serve on the next CGS Executive Committee for the next two years as VP Technical, VP Communications and Member Services, and VP Finance, respectively, each having shone through past service to the society, leading annual conferences and other endeavours. Each shares my enthusiasm for the society and I write for all of us that we look forward to working with all the CGS members and volunteers across Canada.
I hope that as many of us as possible can meet in person, once again, in Niagara Falls for the Annual Canadian Geotechnical Conference this coming Fall, and that in the meantime you are strong, safe, and happy with your family and friends through the remainder of the pandemic and beyond!!!
Ian Moore, CGS President 2021-2022