Working Toward a First Nations Owned and Operated Water Utility - - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Working Toward a First Nations Owned and Operated Water Utility - The Atlantic First Nations Water Authority Inc.

November 21, 2019 3rd Annual AFN National Water Symposium and Tradeshow James MacKinnon Interim – Chief Operating Officer Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

What is the Water Authority?

— The Water Authority will be a First Nation organization,

constructed, owned and operated by First Nations. The Water Authority will not be a political organization. It will be a technical organization focused on the provision of water and wastewater services.

— The Water Authority will be a legal corporation and it will

be run as a not for profit business.

— It will be an organization responsible for providing water

and wastewater services to all communities that are participating in this project.

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Long Standing Problem

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Water Authority has a Service Accountability that is Equitable and Based on Two-Eyed Seeing

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Based on Best Practices and Sound Evidence - The Water Authority Represents a Sustainable Path for Generations

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Business Case - Purpose

— The purpose of the project is to undertake the technical,

governance and project management tasks required to achieve the following project deliverables:

• 1. The creation of an independent water authority which will assume

water and wastewater delivery services to its member First Nations

• n a permanent basis.
• 2. The provision of a continuous funding stream for the Water

Authority and the upgrade and long-term maintenance of its water and wastewater facilities. — The project plan is supported by a Project Charter which

establishes the need for the project and the approval required from the principal stakeholders to proceed

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Business Case Timeline

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AFNWA Business Case

• The AFNWA Business Case was submitted to the

Government of Canada in August 2019

• The Business Case is made up of 10 Chapters:
• Desired Outcomes
• Current State
• Environmental Analysis
• Analysis and Recommendation
• Project Opportunity and Description
• Financial Analysis
• Project Risk Assessment
• Management Strategy
• Implementation Strategy
• Recommendations
• The GoC has since responded with additional comments

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Desired Outcomes

• The Problem:
• First Nation communities have had a lack of adequate access to safe

drinking water for more than a century.

• The Opportunity
• Atlantic First Nations Water Authority (AFNWA), an overarching

governance and management body to specifically address the problems associated with water and wastewater services being provided to Atlantic First Nation communities. The establishment of the AFNWA would be a true nation-to-nation solution to water issues facing Atlantic First Nations.

• The Evolution
• The evolution of the AFNWA has been the result of over 10 years work by

Atlantic First Nations and various stakeholders to build legal, regulatory, Atlantic First Nation community and Federal Government support.

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Current State

• Atlantic First Nations Communities
• There are 15 Atlantic First Nations

communities that have agreed include their information in the Business Case

• Regulatory Framework
• Currently there are three Federal departments involved in the

regulation and service provision of delivering safe drinking water

• n reserves. Their roles can be summarized as follows:
• Indigenous Services Canada
• Environment Canada
• Health Canada
• APC has submitted draft regulations to the GoC in 2013

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Environmental Analysis

• Strategic Context
• The Government of Canada continues to strive for reconciliation with First

Nations and in ensuring the establishment of self-determination, self- governance and financial control.

• Cultural and Spiritual Alignment
• For Atlantic First Nations integrating the cultural and spiritual traditions

for Atlantic First Nation communities is a key component in delivery of water and wastewater services, and an important guide for the AFNWA

• Strategic Alignment
• Atlantic First Nations Communities
• Atlantic First Nations Leadership
• GoC
• Standards and Regulatory Organizations
• AFNWA
• Environmental Scan

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Analysis and Recommendation

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Financial Analysis

• Operating and Capital Costs
• Operating costs are projected to be just under

$11M annually

• Capital Costs over 25 years are projected to be
• approx. $231 million
• Breakdowns of these costs can be found within

the Business Case

• We have also established required capital

investments as well as future financial needs.

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Project Risk Assessment

• It will take several years to implement and develop

the AFNWA to a fully functioning and mature

• rganization. During this implementation, several

risks must be managed, and risk response plans established for the highest risk events. Developed through a risk workshop with senior ISC and APC leadership, the business case identifies potential risks and the probability and impact of each risk, and the appropriate risk management plan

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Project Risk Assessment Example

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Management Strategy

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Recommendations

• Interim Funding Approval
• Implement Human Resource and AFNWA Management

Structure

• Funding Negotiated and Approved
• Implement Business Strategy, Establish AFNWA

Regulations & Corporate Policies

• Transfer Participating Atlantic First Nations Assets and

Operators to the AFNWA

• Completion of Asset Management Plan and Integrated

Resource Plan

• Confirm Regulatory Oversight

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Thank you!

Questions?

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