Resources for Future Generations 2018 Minerals, Energy and Environment

1. Resources for Future Generations 2018Minerals, Energy and Environment A conference to be held in Vancouver in June 2018 Bill Mercer, Interim Chair Presentation to CFES Council, April 2014

2. Resources for Future Generations 2018Minerals, Energy and Environment • CFES led the unsuccessful Canadian bid for IGC2020 • A dialogue between IUGS and Canada led to the concept of Canada running the first IUGS conference, between IGCs in 2018 • IUGS has too many member countries so all cannot run IGCs • IGCs are every 4 years, but science is moving faster than that • There is room for focused meetings on a two year basis (see IGU) • IUGS has a major theme of “Resources For Future Generations” and asked that Canada take this as a theme for the first-ever IUGS conference • The theme fits well with Canada as a country and Canadian geoscience • A small team of Canadian geoscientists, involved with the IGC bid, has taken this forward • It was presented at the November CFES Council meeting for approval

3. Resources for Future Generations 2018Minerals, Energy and EnvironmentThe Conference Conceptual Logistics Conceptual Technical Mineral Resources Geology, and geoscience aspects of development of mineral deposits Energy Geology and geoscience aspects of development of petroleum resources and renewable energy (geothermal, etc) Water (Hydrology and hydrogeology) Role of water in resource development Water as a resource Environment Environmental geology – resource development and industrial development Environmental geology – water resources and climate change • June 16-21, 2018 • 5000 to 7000 international attendees • Multiple geoscience organisations involved

4. The Present Committee • An ad hoc National Organizing Committee (NOC)continues to make progress in organising the conference. • The NOC comprises ~9 members, all of whom were involved with the IGC 2020 bid preparation. • Examples of associations represented (informally, not officially – so gives concept of discipline areas) on the committee: • CIM (president and past president), PDAC (past president and vice president), GAC (past president), CGS (member), MAC (director), Geoscientists Canada (ED), CFES (director, past presidents), CANQUA (member) • Committee recommends Kendra Johnston as chair. She has accepted. Required actions at committee • A Local Organizing Committee has to be formed in Vancouver. • Bring in energy associations (CSPG, CSEG, CWLS)

5. Organisation of the Conference • Relations with associations and organisation of the conference • The theme of the conference = “Resources for Future Generations 2018 - Minerals, Energy and Environment” fits perfectly with a National Research Council major theme, so we have high hopes for support from NRC Convention Services. • At the same time, CIM has expressed strong interest in being the lead organiser. They have been given a draft budget for the conference. • GAC has been proactive – the president Richard Wardle has approached me and informed me that GAC is keen to be involved and would strongly consider cancelling GACMAC that yearin order to participate in RFG2018 • Individual associations could participate financially involved and/or, organise symposia/field trips, organise social events, etc. • NRCAN/GSC has stated desire to be involved and is in process of identifying individuals to take part

6. Budget for the Conference • We have prepared a budget but this needs to be broken down into periods (cash requirements in advance) – I have asked some committee members to work on this. • It was suggested (Richard Wardle) that the conference could follow the GeoCanada (Calgary) model which appears to work well for sharing preparation and revenues between constituent associations. I have discussed this with Godfrey Nowlan and it appears to be a good model. • Present model does not involve CFES input of funds • Financing could be a combination of • CIM lead funding • NRC-CS funding • Individual associations providing funding • Industry sponsorship • Support from Vancouver entities

7. Budget for the Conference • Anticipate total attendance of 5000 – 7000 delegates. • ~30% of delegates would be charged a reduced registration fee (includes students + scientists from developing countries). • Estimate total revenues of $5 million; • Total expenses of $3.5 million. • CIM suggests the conference could be run using a similar model for their Annual Convention. As of 2014, CIM will hold their Annual Convention in Vancouver biennially. • Any profits would be shared between the organizations running the conference (profit-sharing scheme known up-front). • Because RFG2018 is specialized, one-of-a-kind event, the opportunity exists to attract sponsors that do not donate to annual meetings. • Could develop a large exposition that would generate additional revenues.

8. Relationship with City of Vancouver and Vancouver Convention Centre • The Vancouver Convention Centre is holding space for RFG 2018: • June 16-21, 2018 • A signed contract will be required sometime in the next 3-6 months (earlier the better) • Contract will involve down payment of $15-30,000 (5-10% of the estimated basic cost). Source of this will depend on lead organisation – CIM, NRC-CS or both. • City of Vancouver and the Convention Centre have provided accommodation, meeting rooms, etc. at no cost to IUGS or CFES for the IUGS Executive to be in Vancouver in 2015 at the time of Roundup.

9. CFES Role • We are working on a model that does not require CFES to put in money or board time. • So, a question that sometimes comes up is what is the role of CFES in this? A suggestion is that CFES should be the umbrella, irrespective of whether an organisation like CIM takes the organising lead. • The reasons for saying this are: • CFES is the official representative of Canada at the IUGS • CFES is the organisation under which the geoscience associations like GAC, CIM, CSPG etc. meet • How CFES’s role is highlighted in publicity material, etc. versus, say, CIM, if CIM is the organiser and financial backer, is to be worked out, and given reasonable people, should not be an issue.

10. “Asks” from CFES • A motion that • “CFES endorses the National Operating Committee and the to-be-formed Local Operating Committee as Ad Hoc Committees of CFES with the specific mandate to organize and carry out the Resources for Future Generations 2018 Conference in Vancouver on behalf of CFES* as the lead Organization and continuing in the direction taken by the NOC; • It is further moved that the NOC/LOC can correspond with outside organizations on behalf of CFES using CFES logo in the RFG2018 Letterhead on issues specific to RFG2018; and • It is also moved that the NOC/LOC shall organize and carryout the RFG2018 inter-Congress in a manner that does not incur any financial or support liability to CFES.” • This is in effect a continued endorsement of the IUGS 2018 Conference as an “official” CFES event • CFES will be copied on correspondence, and correspondence with outside organisations (IUGS, CFES member associations, potential sponsors, etc.) will have the CFES logo * Should CIM and/or NRC take a lead on organisation, the relationship of CIM and CFES would need to be defined more clearly for correspondence and other purposes.

11. Two Additional Points for CFES • Consideration of whether a representative of the IUGS 2018 committee should be a director of CFES to report back on a regular basis (that is my suggestion). Would not have to be the chair of the conference. I see consideration of an additional director on a temporary basis (until 2018) to cover off on this subject. • It is possible that Stephen Johnston could be this person as he is on the NOC and also involved with IUGS. • Indications from CSPG and CSEG attendees at Council as to how we can best engage with Calgary based associations (and the Well Loggers if they are present). • I travel through Calgary almost once a month for work and could drop off there for a morning for a chat on my way to Yellowknife. • Energy is a critical part of the conference.