Navigating without maps

March 20, 2002

Dear Sir,

I was hired only three months before the privatization of the assessment division of the Ministry of Finance. However, I was hired because of my background as a surveyor, my extensive knowledge of two thirds of the region in which I work and my experience in the field of automated drafting. Since my hire date I have extended my knowledge of the area to include not only the remaining one third of my region but also the neighboring region east to the Quebec border. I am very well versed in the Surveys Act, the Planning Act, the Registry Act and the Municipal Act as are most of the other drafting members of MPAC.

I give you this information about myself in an effort to substantiate the issues and opinions that I would like to address, all of which fall under the heading of centralizing mapping. I hope that will address these issues and respond please.

1. The term centralized usually means that a function that is currently divested, is being brought together under one roof so to speak. The way that I understand it this is not the case for the mapping departments, we are in fact being eliminated (surplused) and the data that we have developed to an extremely respectable degree is being given to Teranet. Are you aware of the extent to which these maps are used by both our assessors as well as the upper and lower tier municipalities? The maps are also coveted by local survey firms, title searchers, lawyers and in many cases engineering companies to name a few. In Region Two our maps are often a requirement when submitting an application for severance consent. This to me does not sound like a commodity that should be given away, but actually if given the opportunity, could, would and should be utilized to provide customer service and a valuable income for MPAC. Should the issue of making the mapping departments financially self reliant through the use of G.I.S. not be addressed by a responsible board?

2. Are you aware that each of the regional mapping departments have all of the equipment in place already to automate the map indexes that they are responsible for?

3. Most of the mappers employed by MPAC are actually trained and ready to utilize this equipment but have received instruction from head office to cease and desist from this activity. In some regions the computers capable of AutoCAD and G.I.S. have actually been removed and given to managers and others because, and I quote, “They can be better utilized by valuation or management.”

4. Finally let me address the human element. The mappers and the clerks are a highly skilled, heavily utilized and under appreciated group of dedicated individuals that work very well in a team environment. We address issues and resolve problems of a sensitive nature from all fronts. I for one, on any given day will address the concerns of several assessors, one or more managers, clerks, planners and building inspectors from any number of municipalities. I will process Registry and Land Titles documents, interpret deeds, perform title searches, update maps and offer legal opinion with regard to planning, surveying, registry and municipal acts, as does each and every mapper in the province. We relate these very important issues to each of the individuals that may ask for our help. We do this all in addition to our daily assigned duties with dignity, respect and professionalism equaled by none, while our future in this organization is non-existent. We are also AutoCAD and G.I.S. capable and ready if given the money and opportunity. I ask you, does this sound like the type of resources a fledgling company can afford to eliminate?

I am sorry for the length of this letter but I hope that it will help you and the Board look at what is happening within the organization that you are committed to serve.

Sincerely,

Lincoln Pearce, Lyn

 

Return to What front-line workers are saying about Futures Index