A report on the geosciences in Canada in 1974. Although there is an emphasis on domestic supplies of energy and mineral resources and of the need to secure them, the domestic expenditures in this sector are declining rapidly. There should be a major increase in the priorities assigned to the geosciences for development and expenditures, but the reverse has happened. Research activity is high in the government, industry and university sectors, but has not yet reached a critical level where major innovations and breakthroughs that lead to scientific and technical progress. Opportunities for more concentrated effort are needed.