Key Staff

Dr. Dieter Birk, P.Geol. (life member)

Dieter Birk is a recognized expert in strategic R&D planning to maximize cost recovery through Canadian SR&ED investment tax credits.  He holds earned science degrees from University of Toronto, Queen's University (Kingston) and McMaster University (Hamilton) and has held professional designations for Ontario (APGO, CSC) and Alberta (APEGGA).  Career highlights in SR&ED include:

As Scientist & R&D Manager:

Dr. Birk established industry-relevant laboratories in three Provinces: Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia.  He set up the exploration geochemistry laboratories of Petro-Canada in its formative years, assembling an international team and state-of-the-art facility in Calgary to tackle Canadian offshore oil exploration and Alberta oil field production. 

To tackle alternative fuels, he founded the Atlantic Coal Institute in Sydney as a "Centre of Advanced Technology" for fossil fuel research with local talent and national clients. With Geofuel Research Inc. he established services in fuel technology, mineral processing and on-line geo-science with international clients. 

 He has written numerous proprietary technical reports and scientific papers in refereed journals on topics ranging from geochronology, oil/gas exploration, mineral geochemistry, microanalysis, coal beneficiation, conversion, and environmental hazards.

As Industry Representative

Birk is a life member of APEGGA, and past member of PDAC, CIM, CSPG, APGO and GAC.   He represented the Province of Nova Scotia at the 40th Provincial Mines Ministers' Conference in Regina and for 4 years sat as member of a national review committee to oversee the CANMET annual  research budget. He has provided expert opinion to major corporations, to government agencies, and in Tax Court and acted as representative at technology shows or for international staff recruitments.

As SR&ED Claimant

Geofuel Research Inc. was one of the early claimants for SR&ED refunds and relied on a large accounting firm for the claim process.  The company was unsuccessful despite a scientific publication track record because the forms were improperly filed.  Years later, the SR&ED entitlements were recovered - but too late to save 12 jobs.  This inspired Dr. Birk to join the government for a time period, to enhance funding of R&D in Canada.

As SR&ED Administrator

After experience as a technical auditor ("Science Advisor") at Revenue Canada (now Canada Revenue Agency), Birk became the Science Manager for the Greater Toronto Area, responsible for technical approvals of hundreds of millions of dollars in government funding annually and claim reviews of some of the largest firms in the heartland of Canadian industrial R&D.  He contributed to national policy development such as the PCPR initiative.  He was an outspoken critic of unproductive bureaucracy and championed the SR&ED program through public seminars.  After stepping back from management, he finished his public career as a Regional Science Coordinator, cleaning up technical audits in crisis and mentoring new staff.

As Consultant

Dr. Birk provided technology services to Canada's natural resource industries for nine years during the previous oil boom/bust cycle.  His clients included such key corporate players as Chevron, Amoco, Texaco, Japex, Suncor, Pan Arctic, Pan Canadian, Dome Petroleum, Placer Dome and Petro-Canada.  He has contracted with Federal agencies GSC, CBDC,  CANMET, NRC and Provincial departments or agencies: NS Dept. Mines,  TUNS, NSRF, NS Power, N.B. Dept. Mines, Sydney Steel, etc.

Since leaving the public service in 2002, Dr. Birk has established a new client base among Canadian companies not previously claiming their SR&ED refund entitlements. He is also in demand among corporations encountering audit difficulties.  He has re-activated his public speaking on behalf of the SR&ED program, but from the claimant's perspective.