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Message from the President

Rob Kenyon, President of the Canadian Geotechnical Society

Fall 2024

 

Dear CGS Members,

I write this message, my second-last as your President, during the “dog days” of summer and as preparations move forward for the 77th Canadian Geotechnical Conference in Montréal, September 15-18, 2024. This year the conference is being held jointly with the International Association of Hydrogeologists, as the 16th Joint CGS/IAH-CNC Groundwater Conference. I remember the first CGS/IAH-CNC Groundwater Conference in the early 1990’s at a time when everyone wondered whether it would work and what it would look like. Now we are on to the 16th joint conference which is a testament to the vision of both CGS and IAH-CNC some 25  years ago. I am truly looking forward to gathering in person at GeoMontréal to recharge my technical batteries and to meeting as many of you as possible.

Organizing these conferences is always a huge undertaking by dedicated volunteers, this year under the leadership of François Duhaime and Daniel Verret. I hear that registration has been going very well, so don’t wait as space will be limited; please check the website www.geomontreal.ca. In doing so, check also the organizing committee page and then thank each volunteer when you meet them at the conference.

I would add that this year the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) President, Marc Ballouz, will be attending GeoMontréal, giving part of his Buchanan Lecture. He will be here to meet with CGS members but also  because two Canadian CGS members have been honoured by ISSMGE, in receiving the 2024 ISSMGE Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations to our colleagues Norbert Morgenstern and Suzanne Lacasse for this most distinguished award from ISSMGE. Marc will be presenting their medals during his visit to Canada and the conference. 

The theme of GeoMontréal 2024 is “Resilient Geosciences for Future Generations”, a theme that resonates especially during this era of climate change. GeoMontréal 2024 follows the recent 12th International Conference on Permafrost, ICOP 2024, held this past June in Whitehorse, where the conference theme was “Integrating Perspectives of Permafrost Thaw, Change, and Adaption”. That conference was looking at adapting resilient permafrost engineering design to a changing environment. ICOP 2024 was chaired very successfully by CGS members Lukas Arenson and Ryley Beddoe with some 450 delegates participating. This edition of Canadian Geotechnique features several articles on Cold Regions Engineering, again emphasizing the importance of engineering to address our changing climate.  

At this time last year, I wrote that the long-awaited 5th Edition of the Foundation Engineering Manual, CFEM 2023, was in its final publishing stages and would be released at GeoSaskatoon 2023. The initial launch was a huge success, followed by strong sales all of 2024. Many thanks to Canadian Science Publishing and Lisa Reny of Karma Link for all the “scrambling” they had to do to make it available in time for the conference. This edition is digital only and is available either on the CGS website www.cgs.ca (CGS members) or at www.csp.ca (non-members). There is a special rate for CGS student members, who should contact Lisa Reny, admin@cgs.ca before ordering. Lisa will provide you with a student code to purchase at the student price. CGS has also set up special corporate and institutional rates. Companies, universities, and government agencies should contact Lisa Reny, who is handling those accounts separate from the website sales.

The most exciting outcome of the GeoSaskatoon launch of CFEM 2023 was the palpable excitement and enthusiasm in the room by our francophone colleagues to take the finished English product and begin the French translation. Their excitement and energy were immediately followed up by actions. A large group, under the leadership of Vincent Castonguay and Mario Ruel will have very exciting news and a special session at GeoMontréal. We are looking forward to that update. Merci beaucoup à tous et bon succès.

I also introduced, last year at this time, the creation of a Task Force (TF) in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), chaired by Sumi Suddiqua and reporting to our VP Communications and Members Services, Eliane Cabot. The Task Force was very busy at and since GeoSaskatoon, with additional initiatives planned for GeoMontréal. The TF is scheduled to release its final report by the end of this year, a report that is intended to address how all aspects of CGS should operate in a manner that incorporates and honours the principles of EDI.  The TF has sessions and activities planned for GeoMontréal including the Women in Geotechnique breakfast. I encourage everyone to check them out.

A second TF, under VP Eliane Cabot, was created to review and make recommendations on updating the architecture and operation of our website. Significant progress has been achieved and I expect that TF to continue operating into 2025, in collaboration with the CGS National Office, before final recommendations are received. Along that line, CGS has also expanded its use of the professional/social platform LinkedIn to now include LinkedIn Groups for the Young Professionals Committee, the Transportation Committee, and the Rock Mechanics Division. The system is intended to encourage open technical discussions amongst members. Finally, we have also asked a TF of past, current, and future (2025) Vice Presidents of Finance, reporting to our VP Finance Pooneh Maghoul, to examine the financial situation of CGS and to provide guidance and recommendations as to the CGS assets management. Expect their report in early 2025.

There have been many other initiatives and activities by our Divisions and Committees this past year. More details on each of those initiatives and activities will be forthcoming in our Annual Reports, when submitted to the annual Board of Director meeting in GeoMontréal and posted on the CGS website shortly thereafter.  I must say that being the President of your Society sometimes reminds me of living in a house with ten siblings around, given how busy we seem to be in so many different directions.

As you may know, Michel Aubertin, Executive Director, has announced that he will retire at the end of this calendar year. Michel has provided executive leadership to the Society for ten years now and through five Executive Committees. His service and dedication to the Society brings to mind the words passion and commitment to your chosen profession. The descriptors “above and beyond” come to my mind repeatedly when I think about the executive support he has provided to the various executives during his service. And, nobody has mastered the art of smiling like Michel has, even when strongly disagreeing with your point of view. Michel, we are so thankful for your behind-the-scenes support to the Society and we wish you all the best as you move forward.

At GeoMontréal, the CGS Executive Committee will be recommending to the Board of Directors the appointment of the next Executive Director for the Society, a name which most of you will recognize. The day-to-day executive support to the administration of the Society will therefore continue, under this next appointment, following the strong legacy provided by Micheal Aubertin. 

Enjoy the rest of summer. See you all at GeoMontréal.

 

Rob Kenyon

President





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