C O M P A N Y O V E R V I E W
Ontario Waterpower As The Power of Partnerships Written by Paul Norris Produced by Michael Magno
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core tenet to the Ontario Waterpower Association’s (OWA’s) approach to achieving its objectives has always been working in collaboration with those who have an interest in what we do and how we do it. Formal relationships with the Chiefs of Ontario and Queen’s University are examples of this. Joint efforts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are another. Collective advocacy with environmental, energy and aboriginal organizations all demonstrate the power of partnerships. Importantly, these corporate level relationships can 4
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enable project or company level partnerships across the industry. Nowhere is the potential for mutual benefit through positive partnerships more evident than the OWA’s growing collaboration with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). As organizations which have in common the development and management of water-related infrastructure, there are natural synergies in the legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks of relevance to the OWA and DUC. And, where policy interests intersect, opportunities to establish broader partnerships exist. One such example of this approach is
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the recent release of two new Best Management Practices (BMPs). The first, focused on wetlands, was developed with the experience and expertise of DUC. The second addresses key considerations regarding migratory birds and benefited from the advice of the Canadian Wildlife Service. The objective of the Wetlands BMP is to minimize impacts to wetland form and function during the construction of a waterpower facility and to identify opportunities for wetland creation and enhancement. The Migratory Birds BMP’s goal is to protect and conserve migratory bird populations and their habitats during
waterpower construction activities, and to identify opportunities for habitat enhancement. As such, both look beyond the standard “avoidance, prevention, mitigation” framework to offer insight and advice on opportunities for “net benefit” with respect to these valued ecosystem components. What’s new to this approach is that the partner providing the subject matter expertise also has the capacity and mandate to help deliver the best management practices at a project level – creating opportunities for a deeper organizational partnership and mutual benefits. The need for and w w w. o w a . c a
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O N TA R I O WAT E R P O W E R A S S O C I AT I O N value of working with leading Nongovernment organizations will only grow as governments modernize their approaches to permits and approvals, with an increasing emphasis on and recognition of external subject matter expertise across a wide range of disciplines. As noted by Mark Gloutney, Director of Regional Operations, Eastern Region for DUC, when the BMPs were published, “Working with industry partners is an important means of protecting and increasing the number of wetland acres in Ontario. It is encouraging to see that the importance of wetlands is being kept firmly in mind with the introduction of BMPs that aim to minimize negative effects on these crucial ecosystems, while looking for opportunities to enhance and create wetland habitat for migratory birds.” Importantly, the collaboration has opened new doors of opportunity for further joint initiatives. As outlined in the June article (Growing Business Opportunities with First Nations), there is significant untapped waterpower potential in the Far North of Ontario and considerable interest from
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Aboriginal communities in pursuing development. This geography is also part of Canada’s Boreal region and one of North America’s most important nesting areas for millions of ducks, geese and other birds. Given that land use and resource management planning are in their relative infancy in the Far North, there is a unique opportunity to work together and with First Nations to advance environmentally sustainable waterpower development that incorporates wetland conservation goals into landscape and local level planning. With the proposed extension of transmission to connect twenty one (21) remote diesel-dependent communities beginning as early as 2018, and the promised mineral development of the Ring of Fire, partnering to map out respective values on the ground can help to inform integrative decision making. Leveraging DUC’s Geographic Information System (GIS) expertise and the OWA’s recent analysis of waterpower potential in the region, community-centric information, products and tools are being created, which, consistent with w w w. o w a . c a
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Photo Courtesy of Bill Kendall Ducks Unlimited Canada www.ducks.ca
the approach taken to the BMPs, will aim to enable the pursuit of opportunities for net benefits through First Nation – led land use planning and resource development initiatives. Partnering with organizations and working with people who can help inform and implement the achievement of the shared objective
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of environmentally sustainable economic development is simply smart business. As is the case in the industry’s efforts to work with Aboriginal organizations and educational institutions, in today’s environment it is not a question of “whether” partnerships with leading conservation organizations like DUC make business sense,
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but one of “how” to foster and grow those relationships. For the OWA, it starts with the fact that every existing waterpower facility across the province is managed to provide multiple benefits and every new project will be the same. Each project is reputational for the industry’s social licence. Partnerships liberate new ideas and create new possibilities. Viewing challenges and opportunities through another lens helps question assumptions and conventional wisdom. Finally, relationships premised on the recognition of another’s values enable mutual benefit and are particularly powerful when advancing shared priorities and positions. Through the past three (3) articles in this publication, I have attempted to re-introduce Ontario’s First Choice in electricity – waterpower. With over a century of generation and still the backbone of a reliable, affordable system, hydroelectricity is all too often taken for granted. Though a mature technology embedded in communities across the province, there is still room to grow. Growth in the industry, however, is absolutely dependent on the adoption and practice of a business model that is informed by and involves those with a perspective on the business. Waterpower, I would argue, is not unique in this regard. The key to sustaining and expanding any successful business is putting as much effort into your relationships as you do into your product.
Company Information INDUSTRY
Non-Profit HEADQUARTERS
380 Armour, Peterborough, ON K9H 7L7, Canada EMPLOYEES
Paul Norris President
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ONTARIO WATERPOWER ASSOCIATION 380 Armour, Peterborough, ON K9H 7L7, Canada 705-743-1500 www.owa.ca