June 8, 2012, Montreal –
The Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC) was awarded $267,
061.77 in damages on March 29 after a Montreal tribunal ruled in its favour
following a three-year dispute with the Canadian Ground Water Association
(CGWA).
At the heart of the claim filed by the CGC in 2009 lies a
matter of material. The CGC contracted the CGWA to develop a national training
course for the geothermal industry. What was delivered was 95 per cent cut and
paste version of an existing course created for Ontario well drillers
pertaining specifically to Ministry of the Environment (MOE) regulation 903,
says Denis Tanguay, executive director of the CGC. Two technical schools were
listed in the dispute as subcontractors of the CGWA.
“I certainly felt a relief because I knew this was a just
cause,” says Tanguay.
The CGWA is moving forward with appealing the decision. A
two-man committee consisting of association president Jim Friesen of Manitoba
and board director Simon Massé of Quebec, has
been appointed to work with the lawyers involved, says Wayne MacRae, executive
director of the CGWA.
“We were certainly disappointed with the arbiter’s decision
but it’s not a done deal,” says MacRae.
“It’s a sad day for the water well and the geo industry – to
have two national associations fight, and the college as well,” says Tanguay.
“Everyone’s reputation has been tarnished.”
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