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 3 rd 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? 2 — 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. Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Atlantic First Nations Water Authority 3 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Long Standing Problem 4 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Water Authority has a Service Accountability that is Equitable and Based on Two-Eyed Seeing 5 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Based on Best Practices and Sound Evidence - The Water Authority Represents a Sustainable Path for Generations 6 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Business Case - Purpose 7 — The purpose of the project is to undertake the technical, governance and project management tasks required to achieve the following project deliverables: o 1. The creation of an independent water authority which will assume water and wastewater delivery services to its member First Nations on a permanent basis. o 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 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Business Case Timeline 8 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority rity

AFNWA Business Case 9 • 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 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Desired Outcomes 10 • 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. Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Current State 11 • 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 on 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 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Environmental Analysis 12 • 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 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Analysis and Recommendation 13 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Financial Analysis 14 • 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. Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Project Risk Assessment 15 • It will take several years to implement and develop the AFNWA to a fully functioning and mature organization. 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 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Project Risk Assessment Example 16 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Management Strategy 17 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Recommendations 18 • 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 Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Thank you! 19 Questions? Atlantic First Nations Water Authority