Nova Scotia Geoscience Regulatory Body Clarifies Role in Public Discourse on Uranium Exploration
HALIFAX, NS – The Association of Professional Geoscientists of Nova Scotia (APGNS) has found itself at the center of a debate surrounding public discourse on uranium exploration, prompting the organization to clarify its mandate and address concerns about potential restrictions on free speech. The controversy stems from a letter and warning issued by the APGNS to an individual involved in community consultations on the contentious issue. While the APGNS emphasizes its commitment to upholding the province’s Geoscience Profession Act, community members express concerns that the regulatory body’s actions may stifle important conversations about resource development.
The spark that ignited the debate came from a Facebook message received by a community organizer involved in discussions surrounding uranium exploration. The message, which cautioned against individuals without “proper credentials” making claims related to natural resource exploration, raised concerns among community members who viewed it as an attempt to limit public participation in the discussion. Barb Harris, a resident of River John, NS, expressed her concern over the broad nature of the message, which she felt lacked specific examples of misinformation and appeared to discourage general public comment on the issue.
Responding to the concerns raised, Stephen Olmstead, Registrar and CEO of the APGNS, clarified that the organization’s actions are focused on ensuring accurate information and protecting the public from potentially misleading statements made by individuals misrepresenting themselves as geoscientists. Olmstead stressed that the Geoscience Profession Act does not prohibit public discourse or prevent anyone from expressing their views on any topic, including resource exploration. The Act, according to Olmstead, aims to hold accountable those who intentionally mislead the public with false or inaccurate information related to geoscience, particularly those who falsely present themselves as registered professional geoscientists.
The APGNS asserts that its role is akin to that of regulatory bodies overseeing other professions, such as engineering, medicine, or law. These bodies exist to ensure that individuals practicing in these fields meet specific educational and professional standards, thereby protecting the public from unqualified practitioners. Olmstead emphasized that misrepresenting oneself as a registered professional geoscientist carries the same weight as impersonating any other regulated professional, highlighting the potential for such misrepresentation to mislead the public and undermine trust in professional expertise.
Olmstead revealed that the APGNS received complaints in June about two individuals allegedly misrepresenting their credentials related to geoscience. These complaints led to the issuance of warning letters outlining the potential consequences of misrepresentation, ranging from formal warnings to financial penalties and, in extreme cases, incarceration. The goal, according to Olmstead, is to encourage individuals participating in public discourse to clearly state whether or not they are registered professional geoscientists, ensuring transparency and preventing the spread of misinformation.
The APGNS maintains that individuals without proper credentials may unintentionally spread inaccurate information on complex technical topics, potentially influencing public opinion and policy decisions based on flawed understanding. Olmstead likened this misrepresentation to a form of fraud, stressing that it is not unique to Nova Scotia and occurs in various contexts where specialized knowledge is crucial. He reiterated the organization’s willingness to connect members of the public with registered professional geoscientists to ensure access to accurate and credible information. Currently, there are approximately 300 registered professional geoscientists in Nova Scotia.
However, community members like Harris argue that the conversation surrounding resource exploration should not be limited to the perspectives of registered geoscientists alone. Harris emphasized the importance of including diverse voices and perspectives in the discussion, including physicians, environmental specialists, geologists who may not be registered in Nova Scotia, former government employees, and Indigenous communities, all of whom possess valuable knowledge and insights relevant to the issue. She maintains that the discussion extends beyond purely geological considerations, encompassing broader social, environmental, and health implications that require input from a wide range of stakeholders. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between the need for accurate information from qualified professionals and the importance of inclusive public participation in discussions about resource development. As the conversation continues, finding a balance between these competing interests will be crucial to fostering informed decision-making that reflects the diverse perspectives of the community.