NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS
2023 ESAA AGM
April 12th, 2023
4:15 pm – Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
- to approve the minutes of Members dated April 20th, 2022;
- to receive the report of the President;
- to receive the report of ESAA Management;
- to receive the report of the Treasurer;
- to appoint Auditors;
- to appoint/elect Directors; and
- the transaction of such further and other matters as may properly be brought before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
- All full members have the right to appoint a proxy, who needs not to be a member, to exercise the same voting rights that the member appointing such proxy would be entitled to exercise if present at the meeting.
- The location of the meeting is Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper
* There is no charge to attend the ESAA AGM
2023 ESAA AGM Documents
- Notice of ESAA 2023 Annual General Meeting
- ESAA Board of Directors Proposed List of Nominees
- AGM Agenda
- AGM Minutes April 20th, 2022
- ESAA 2023 AGM Proxy
ESAA Board of Directors
Proposed List of Nominees
The ESAA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the initial slate of candidates for the upcoming Board of Directors election to be held at the ESAA AGM on April 12th, 2023..
There will be three (3) positions open for the ESAA Board of Directors, each for a three (3) year term.
If you would like to be included on the list of candidates for the ESAA Board of Directors and are a representative of a full ESAA Member, please submit 6 letters of support* by no later than March 17th, 2023, to the ESAA Office via e-mail: [email protected].
In addition to the requirement of being a representative of a full ESAA Member, the ESAA Board is requesting those with the following qualifications consider putting their name forward to assist ESAA navigate a number of strategic priorities:
- Senior management experience
- Regulatory or government relations experience,
- ESG knowledge,
- Waste management, laboratory, Industrial experience
Proposed List of Candidates
- Sheila Duchek, SNC-Lavalin Inc. (I)
- Amanda MacKinnon, 360 Energy Liability Management
- Sean Parker, McLennan Ross LLP (I)
- Laura Rathgeber, AGAT Laboratories
(I) Incumbent
(*) Letters of support must be from ESAA Members and only one letter per member.
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Alberta: Unpaid oil and gas taxes: Statement from Minister Schulz
Minister of Municipal Affairs Rebecca Schulz issued the following statement regarding unpaid taxes owed to municipalities from oil and gas companies operating in Alberta:
“We are aware of the recent survey results from the Rural Municipalities of Alberta. We agree with the RMA’s assessment that the problem of unpaid oil and gas taxes to rural municipalities is unacceptable. We are consulting with industry, municipalities, and landowners as we actively explore options to ensure taxes and are paid as a condition of license transfer.
“The Alberta Energy Regulator has a critical role to play in solving this problem. We worked with the AER and strengthened the regulatory framework so that it has the option to consider company records for property taxes and surface lease payment when determining a company’s eligibility to hold a license.”
“These recent survey results from the RMA are broadly consistent with the government’s own research into this issue. While the problem of unpaid oil and gas taxes persists for many Alberta municipalities, we have recently seen payment plans established from 25 companies for municipalities to receive approximately $48 million in owed taxes. Our government will provide support as needed to municipalities as they create payment plans to recover unpaid taxes where possible.
“The vast majority of companies operating in Alberta’s energy sector pay their local property taxes but some have not, leaving municipalities with hard decisions about raising taxes for other taxpayers or cutting services. We will be in contact directly with delinquent companies, reminding them of their tax responsibilities.
“Our government will continue working with municipalities and the RMA to explore other options for tax recovery, including ways to promote payment agreements and provide specific direction to the AER within its regulatory framework.
Alberta: Incident at Imperial Oil’s Kearl Site: Statement from Minister Savage
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas issued the following statement on a recent incident at Imperial Oil’s Kearl project site.
“We are monitoring the situation at Imperial Oil’s Kearl project site. Premier Danielle Smith and I have been briefed in the last 24 hours on this situation by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), the arms-length regulatory body overseeing investigation, compliance and enforcement in such matters. We understand from them that remediation is underway, and no contaminated water has entered into the water system or affected human health or wildlife.
“Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault was offered a briefing today by our government but did not take that opportunity prior to releasing his statement on the matter.
“The Government of Alberta is standing by to assist the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and other communities in any way necessary should it be required, and we look forward to the results of the AER investigation.
“Inquiries regarding this matter should continue to be directed to the AER as the regulatory body in charge of investigating and overseeing this matter.”
AER Continues to Enforce Imperial Environmental Protection Order
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) continues to oversee Imperial Oil’s (Imperial) compliance with the Environmental Protection Order (the order) issued on Feb. 6, 2023, to ensure the regulator’s top priorities of public safety and the protection of the environment.
Today, Imperial provided an update further detailing onsite activities underway for the containment and cleanup of both incidents. The first incident, reported in May 2022, involves industrial wastewater seeping from the External Tailings Area both on and outside the boundaries of the Kearl site. The second incident was a drainage pond overflow with a spill volume estimate of 5300m3, which was reported to the AER by Imperial on Feb. 4, 2023, with a public statement released Feb. 7, 2023.
Members of the AER senior leadership team are also engaging with stakeholders both directly and in-person including visiting the work underway on-site at Imperial Kearl and meeting directly with Indigenous communities including the Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief and Council to answer questions and actively listen to concerns raised by the Nation.
The AER will continue to provide updates to potentially affected communities and is actively monitoring the situation at the Kearl site for Imperial’s ongoing compliance to the order.
AER Statement on Everest Canadian Resources Order
Efforts to stop the uncontrolled release coming from a steam injection well at Everest Canadian Resources Corp.’s McKay Facility have been successful. The release has stopped and the well in now in a safe and secure state.
The Orphan Well Association (OWA) continues to provide care and custody of the site to ensure public and environmental safety. In addition, the OWA continues to address the items in the Reasonable Care and Measures Order together with Everest Canadian Resources Corp., which was amended today to provide greater clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of the parties.
March 07, 2023
On Sunday, March 5, 2023, the Orphan Well Association (OWA) notified the AER of an uncontrolled release of steam, coming from a steam injection well at Everest Canadian Resources Corp.’s McKay Facility, approximately 55 kilometres northwest of Fort McMurray.
Due to the Reasonable Care and Measures Order the AER served on the company on March 3, the OWA was already on site to respond when the incident occurred. We have instructed the OWA to take control of this incident and they are working to stop the release and make the site safe. There is no risk to public safety and no injuries have been reported. The OWA and the AER have notified stakeholders about the incident, including the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, and also eight Indigenous communities in the region.
A copy of the amended order issued for Everest Canadian Resources Corp. can be found on the AER’s Compliance Dashboard.
March 04, 2023
On Friday, March 3, 2023, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) issued a Reasonable Care and Measures Order for Everest Canadian Resources Corp.’s licensed assets, including its McKay in situ facility. The AER has issued this order after repeated failures by Everest Canadian Resources to comply with AER regulatory requirements.
There are no risks to public safety. However, the AER has concerns about Everest Canadian Resources’ ability to conduct its operations in compliance with Alberta’s regulatory requirements and as a result, we are taking this preventative measure to protect the environment.
We acknowledge that these activities take place on and near Indigenous traditional and Treaty territories, and we are ever mindful of the need to involve and inform them regarding those activities. Contact has been made with eight Indigenous communities in the region and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Under the order, the facility and its associated infrastructure are to be shut in, which means Everest is required to safely stop production and stop operating. In addition, the AER has directed the Orphan Well Association (OWA) to provide immediate care over the sites and confirm that the facility has been closed or shut down by March 18, 2023.
The order does not absolve Everest Canadian Resources from any of its responsibilities and liabilities but ensures that the sites are responsibly attended to for the protection of the environment.
A copy of the order issued for Everest Canadian Resources’ McKay facility can be found on the AER’s Compliance Dashboard.
Canada’s largest Indigenous solar project goes online
“ACFN has proven to be a valuable partner. They have the sophistication and financial ability in handling large and complex transactions, typically undertaken by institutional investors. We appreciate their foresight in creating a strong balance sheet with income-generating assets for future generations,” said Terry Hui, president and CEO of Concord Pacific.
“Building green power has been central to Concord Pacific’s commitment to sustainable development. These projects are valuable additions to our portfolio of over 20 large-scale renewable energy projects currently in operation and development. Partnering with leading First Nations like ACFN will play an important role in our investment strategy, particularly as it relates to our focus on renewable energy.”
For the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, whose 1,280 members reside primarily in Fort Chipewyan, Fort McMurray, Edmonton and Fort Smith, the partnership with Concord Green Energy is part of its economic diversification strategy toward economic self-sufficiency and creating long-term revenue streams that align with their environmental goals and values. While the Nation owns a major energy services company supporting the Canadian oilsands and is an active player in recent infrastructure powerline and pipeline joint ventures, it has also been heavily impacted by climate change, the oilsands industry and industrial water use and dams on its rivers.
“The Chipewyan Dene see the impacts of climate change getting worse every year,” said Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. “We accept that the oilsands industry is an important part of our economy and creates jobs and revenue for our people, but the world is changing, and everyone has to use clean energy that doesn’t pollute and cause climate change to spin out of control. ACFN is pleased to partner with Concord Pacific in these solar investments to create a long-term revenue stream that aligns with our environmental responsibilities and values.
In 2018, ACFN completed a Green Energy Business Investment Strategy as part of its sustainable community energy and economic development and diversification planning. The Nation co-owns a 2.6 MW solar farm on the isolated community grid at Fort Chipewyan that opened in 2019 and is currently implementing over a dozen other clean energy projects, including hydroponics food production and energy efficiency retrofits.
“Clean renewable electricity is now the least-cost option for Alberta consumers,” added Jason Schulz, executive director for ACFN Strategic Advisory Services and Director at ACFN Green Energy. “It also helps Alberta meet its climate change goals and is a critical part of ACFN’s business diversification strategy that we will continue to develop. With the completion of this monumental solar project in Alberta and these recent talks with Concord Pacific about renewables, we feel energized for the future.”
ACFN and Concord acknowledge, respect, and sincerely appreciate that these solar farms are located on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot people within Treaty 7 Territory. The partnership is embarking on programs to give back to Treaty 7 Indigenous communities and others near their projects by supporting education and training to better incorporate the benefits of clean energy systems on their housing, community buildings and other facilities. These facilities will also generate significant ongoing municipal tax revenue, as well as lease revenues to the owners on whose private land they are located.
New soil relocation rules now in effect for British Columbia
The provincial soil relocation process has included a series of legal provisions in the Environmental Management Act and Contaminated Sites Regulation that ensure non-waste quality soil is characterized before it is relocated to receiving sites for beneficial re-use. The process includes provisions for notification and for registration of high-volume receiving sites. Subject to any applicable exemptions, notification is required when non-waste quality soil is relocated from sites with a history of specific industrial or commercial use.
Now with new soil relocation requirements, the ministry aims to ensure that relocated soil does not inadvertently contaminate receiving sites and increase risk to human health and the environment. The new soil relocation regulatory process will enable greater ministry oversight and increase transparency for all.
Ministry procedures for compliance verification and enforcement are also being implemented.
For a summary of the new requirements, click here. If you have any questions or require more information, please email [email protected].
To read our previous coverage on the background of these new rules, click here.
These new rules will be discussed in depth at the upcoming Excess Soils Symposium on September 23, 2022, click here.
Upcoming Industry Events
CBN’s 2023 Canadian Brownfield ConferenceDate: May 3, 2023Location: Toronto Metropolitan University
Brownfield Renewal: Addressing Tomorrow’s ChallengesCBN’s 2023 Canadian Brownfield Conference,will be an in-person event on Wednesday, May 3, at the Toronto Metropolitan University.
An array of critical issues and complexities related to the future vitality of brownfield renewal will be explored.
CBN’s annual conference attracts attendees from across Canada, including land developers, engineering firms, environmental remediation companies, and legal and financial experts. The conference will feature engaging sessions including Case Studies, Panel Discussions, and the HUB Awards!
Event Details:
2023 Environment and Cleantech Business + Policy Forum
Theme: “Keeping Ontario Competitive on the Path to Net Zero”
Date: April 4th, 9:00 am – 6:30 pm
Location: Sheraton Centre Hotel, 123 Queen St W, Toronto
Cost: Early bird tickets are $450 for members, $495 for non-members; after March 10th, $495 for members, $550 for non-members
About the Forum:
The Business + Policy Forum is back in person this year on April 4th as a one-day event at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto. Our theme is “Keeping Ontario Competitive on the Path to Net Zero”.
The event features a keynote address by Karen Hamberg. Ms. Hamberg is the national clean technology leader for Deloitte Canada and chair of the Clean Technology Economic Strategy Table under the Government of Canada’s Industry Strategy Council. She is the author of “Scaling solutions: Accelerating the commercialization of made-in-Canada clean technology.”
The Forum will also include an expert panel discussion on the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, lunch with the Deputies, and nine off-the-record roundtable discussions with Ministry policy staff. Plus, enjoy networking at the event reception.
See the full schedule and register at: https://oneia.my.canva.site/bpf2023
ESAA Job Board
Check out the new improved ESAA Job Board. Members can post ads for free.
Current Listings:
- Intermediate Environmental Scientist – Trace Associates Inc.
- Senior Environmental Scientist (Salt Specialist) – Matrix Solutions Inc.
- Lead Crew Hand – Summit
- INTERMEDIATE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST OR TECHNOLOGIST – Matrix Solutions Inc.
- INTERMEDIATE ENVIRONMENTAL
- Environmental Technologist – Summit
- Intermediate Environmental Specialist – Summit
- Intermediate/Senior Environmental Specialist – Summit
- Environmental Analyst – Summit
- Intermediate/Senior Environmental Specialist – Summit
- Practice Area Lead, Natural Sciences – Trace Associates Inc.
- Practice Area Lead, Hydrogeology and Water – Trace Associates Inc.
- Project Coordinator – Conservation and Reclamation – Ecoventure Inc.
- Project Coordinator – Conservation and Reclamation – Ecoventure Inc.
- Environmental Project/Program Manager – Ecoventure Inc.
- ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST/TECHNOLOGIST – Matrix Solutions Inc.
- Senior Environmental Professional –Ecoventure Inc.
- Intermediate Environmental Consultant – Ecoventure Inc.
- Environmental Engineers/Scientists/Technologists – Edmonton, Alberta – Nichols Environmental (Canada) Ltd.
- Junior Environmental Scientist – Ecoventure Inc.
- Junior Environmental Consultant – Ecoventure Inc.
- Strategic Solutions – Manager – SOLSTICE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
- Remediation Manager, Intermediate – RemedX Remediation Services Inc.
- Intermediate Environmental Scientist – SOLSTICE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
- INTERMEDIATE WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST, Edmonton, Red Deer or Calgary, Alberta (hybrid office/home) – SOLSTICE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
- SENIOR ECOLOGIST, Edmonton, Red Deer or Calgary, Alberta (hybrid home/office) – SOLSTICE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
- Junior-Intermediate Inside Sales – RemedX Remediation Services Inc.
- Groundwater Science Team Lead – Stantec
- Intermediate Environmental Professional- Assessment and Reclamation Group – Triton Environmental Consultants