The Order of Geologists of Quebec was “put under administration” on Thursday when its “financial health” and “control of the exercise of the profession” would be compromised.
The watchdog of professional orders, the Office des professions du Québec, made the announcement in a press release released at the end of the day.
The decision results from “significant shortcomings” observed by the Office “particularly with regard to the governance and financial management” of the Order of Geologists of Quebec (OGQ).
“This situation calls into question the ability of the OGQ to fulfill its primary mission of protecting the public and requires it to be placed under administration in accordance with the law,” the press release continues, without further details on these shortcomings.
A spokesperson for the Office des professions du Québec did not immediately respond to questions sent Thursday evening by email.
The OGQ brings together more than 1,500 professionals working “in the development and exploitation of mineral resources, in the field of environmental characterizations, hydrogeology, geotechnics and geophysics”, we can read on its website .
A deadline “soon to be passed”
Placing the OGQ under administration means that the decisions of its board of directors will be subject to the approval of designated administrators. The latter may also recommend to the OGQ board of directors to adopt resolutions and corrective measures in order to meet the requirements imposed by the Professional Code.
In one of its last communications to its members, on October 20, the OGQ board of directors informed them of the postponement of its annual general meeting to a later date “due to exceptional circumstances.”
The OGQ board of directors then said it was “aware” that the deadline set by the Professional Code for holding the 2023 annual general meeting “will soon be exceeded”. “The council has notified the Office des professions du Québec of this situation. The Office has agreed to this request,” we read in the missive.
Professional orders are self-managed organizations placed under the supervision of the Office des professions du Québec.