ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY – DEFINITELY MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY MAP (Invited Presentation)

In Canada, government-funded geological surveys exist to address policy priorities and serve as a public steward of each jurisdiction's geoscience data. Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) operations and technical programs have been adapted in response to: A) rapidly changing priorities related to economic development, public health and safety, land-use planning and climate change impact; B) funding pressures; and C) increasingly complex societal needs, such as the energy transition, that require holistic science-based solutions grounded in long term geoscience data. The shift from guaranteed core funding appropriation to short-term, 1-3 year directed funding required shorter term strategic planning and the consequent transition from multi-year to annual geoscience operational project planning, sometimes based on public-private collaborations, as well as a move from productivity to outcome-based measures. At the same time the OGS developed an engagement and consultation policy and business practices to address the geoscience-related constitutional and legal duty to consult with indigenous people. This journey is reflected in both our projects and how results are delivered. From in person paper data delivery to an increasingly integrated digital on-line service that continues to find better and easier ways to reach all geoscience data users, a need reinforced by the growth of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Requirements for water security, flood protection and economic growth translated into an award-winning initiative with collaborative projects encompassing 3D geological and groundwater geochemical mapping supporting geotechnical, hydrogeological and land use planning clients. Now critical mineral strategies are providing surveys with new opportunities. The pandemic highlighted other challenges - engaging a remote workforce and client-base. This presentation outlines some of the operational policy, business process, and technical program adaptations that ensure a timely response to evolving government (and societal) demands while playing to our greatest strengths: reliable, unbiased geological mapping and sampling. We will hear from survey directors and the geoscientists who deliver their visions to the public.