Project Licensing

InterGroup coordinates and manages environmental assessment studies and provides expert technical services for socio-economic impact assessment and public engagement. InterGroup also facilitates coordination across multiple technical discipline experts as required. Our clients include companies in the energy, mining, and forestry sectors, as well as governments, First Nations, communities, and non-government organizations.

Environmental Assessment

InterGroup assists clients with the management and development of their environmental assessment. This includes supporting throughout the regulatory review process, including drafting the application, responding to information requests from the public and regulators, and providing expert testimony at public hearings.

Related Projects

Aishihik Generating Station Relicensing

Client: Yukon Energy Corporation (YEC)
Dates: 2016 – 2022

Client: Yukon Energy Corporation (YEC)

Dates: 2016 – 2022

InterGroup was engaged in 2017 by Yukon Energy as part of a multi-discipline team to prepare the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA) Project Proposal submission to relicence the Aishihik Generating Station (AGS), a 37 MW hydroelectric facility in Yukon that was constructed in the mid-1970s and subject to initial relicensing review in the early 2000s. InterGroup provided assistance to Yukon Energy related to completing the socio-economic baseline and socio-economic effects assessment. InterGroup also lead and coordinated document development for the YESAA Project Proposal submission; provided support throughout the YESAA review process; and for preparation and defense of the Yukon Water Board Licence Renewal application (3-year submission completed in 2020; and 5-Year submission completed in 2022).

For more info contact: Cam Osler, Mona Pollitt-Smith

Bipole III Transmission Project

Client: Manitoba Hydro
Dates: 2014 – 2017

Client: Manitoba Hydro

Dates: 2014 – 2017

Manitoba Hydro is a Crown corporation and the electric power utility in Manitoba. The Bipole III Transmission Project is a 1,388 km HVDC transmission line from the Keewatinohk Converter Station near Gillam in northern Manitoba to the Riel converter station east of Winnipeg. InterGroup coordinated and supported the completion of the environmental impact statement, including assistance in completing the socio-economic impact assessment and cumulative effects assessment, completing and filing the EIS documentation, and providing supplementary documentation on route revisions. InterGroup supported the regulatory review process by providing expert witness testimony on cumulative effects during the Clean Environment Commission public hearings.

For more info contact: John Osler

Bluefish Dam Replacement

Client: Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC)
Dates: 2010 – 2011

Client: Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC)

Dates: 2010 – 2011

InterGroup participated in all project licensing activities for Bluefish and provided expert witness testimony before the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.

For more info contact: Hayitbay Mahmudov

See detailed article on this project.

Keeyask Generation Project

Client: Manitoba Hydro
Dates: 2008 – 2011

Client: Manitoba Hydro

Dates: 2008 – 2011

The Keeyask Generation Project was developed by a partnership between Manitoba Hydro, Tataskweyak Cree Nation (TCN), War Lake First Nation (WLFN), York Factory First Nation (YFFN), and Fox Lake Cree Nation (FLCN). InterGroup completed the socio-economic effects assessment and public involvement program for the Keeyask Generation Project EIS as part of overall Project Licensing. InterGroup coordinated with communities and stakeholders through working groups that focused on environmental and socio-economic topics (e.g., mercury and human health). The socio-economic impact assessment included baseline research and effects assessment of the Project on employment, training, business, population, community infrastructure and services, public safety and worker interaction, mercury and human health, and travel safety. InterGroup also managed the culture and heritage resources assessment. Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge played a prominent role in understanding the impacts of the Project on partner communities.

InterGroup provided expert witness testimony on environmental assessment approach, methods, and socio-economic effects at the Clean Environment Commission Hearing for the Project (Oct 2013 to Jan 2014), as well as support to the regulatory process for answering Information Requests, review of intervenor documentation, and input to final argument. To assist with completion of the EIS documentation, InterGroup coordinated overall document management of the EIS, working closely with Manitoba Hydro.

For more info contact: John Osler

Mayo Hydro Enhancement Project (Mayo B)

Client: Yukon Energy Corporation (YEC)
Dates: 2008 – 2010

Client: Yukon Energy Corporation

Dates: 2008 – 2010

InterGroup acted as overall Project Manager for all project regulatory and licensing activities, including Environmental Assessment (YESAB), as well as permits (DFO and Navigable Waters), licences (Yukon Water Board), and an adaptive management plan.

InterGroup completed the required socio-economic assessment and facilitated and participated in consultation activities. InterGroup prepared the YESAB Project Proposal submission and the Yukon Water Board submission, responded to all inquiries during the regulatory process, and provided expert witness testimony before the Yukon Water Board.

The Project was successfully completed under extremely tight deadlines to meet federal funding requirements.

For more info contact: Cam Osler, Mona Pollitt-Smith

Public Engagement

InterGroup develops and implements public engagement programs in support of licensing applications and regulatory review processes using a variety of tools and mechanisms.

Related Projects

In Situ Decommissioning of the WR-1 at the Whiteshell Laboratories

Client: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL)
Dates: 2016 – 2017

Client: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

Dates: 2016 – 2017

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is responsible for decommissioning the Whiteshell Laboratories nuclear research facility in Manitoba. InterGroup completed the effects assessment for social and economic environments, traditional land and resource use, and other land and resource use. In addition to drafting relevant sections of the environmental impact statement, InterGroup has provided strategic advice and support on Indigenous and other stakeholder engagement.

For more info contact: John Osler, Kristin Kent Drewes

Keeyask Generation Project

Client: Manitoba Hydro
Dates: 2007 – 2015

Client: Manitoba Hydro

Dates: 2007 – 2015

The Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership is a partnership between Manitoba Hydro, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation, York Factory First Nation, and Fox Lake Cree Nation. To help the Partnership develop and license the 695-megawatt Keeyask Generating Station, InterGroup completed the socio-economic effects assessment and public involvement program, managed the culture and heritage resources assessments, coordinated document management of the environmental impact statement, and provided expert witness testimony on environmental assessment approach, methods, and socio-economic effects at the Clean Environment Commission Hearing for the project. InterGroup coordinated closely with communities and stakeholders through working groups that focused on environmental and socio-economic topics (e.g., mercury and human health) and facilitated a process to include Indigenous Traditional Knowledge in the effects assessment and environmental impact statement.

For more info contact: John Osler

Carmacks-Stewart Transmission Project

Client: Yukon Energy Corporation (YEC)
Dates: 2005 – 2007

Client: Yukon Energy Corporation

Dates: 2005 – 2007

InterGroup led public engagement activities associated with the site selection and final routing of the Carmacks-Stewart/Minto Spur Transmission Line Project, in addition to managing the socio-economic assessment and overall regulatory approval filings for the Project. Public engagement activities included working with the three Northern Tutchone First Nations on routing options, including environmental, economic, and technical constraints. Other public engagement activities included community meetings, open houses, Chief and Council meetings, and preparation of newsletters and project summaries.

The Project successfully concluded the licensing process, resulting in connecting the Minto mine to the hydro grid and subsequently connecting Yukon Energy’s two original power grids.

For more info contact: John Osler, Mona Pollitt-Smith

See detailed article on this project.

Project Justification Applications

InterGroup assists clients with designing and filing project justification applications. This includes drafting the application, responding to information requests from the public and regulators, and providing expert testimony at public hearings.

Related Projects

Yukon Public Utilities Act
Part 3 Project Justification Applications

Client: Yukon Energy Corporation (YEC)
Dates: 2007 – 2014

Yukon Energy - Whitehorse Diesel-Natural-Gas Conversion Project

Client: Yukon Energy Corporation (YEC)

Dates: 2007 – 2014

InterGroup provided assistance with the preparation and defence of Yukon Energy’s Public Utilities Act Part 3 Applications to the Yukon Utilities Board (YUB) to review the need for and justification of the Carmacks-Stewart Transmission Project; Mayo Hydro Enhancement Project (Mayo B); Whitehorse Diesel-Natural Gas Conversion Project; and the Battery Energy Storage System. Assistance included leading preparation and filing of the Application document, coordination of interrogatories (drafting, coordination with Yukon Energy and legal counsel, and document production), and hearing preparation and attendance. InterGroup provided oral testimony as an expert witness before the YUB for the Carmacks-Stewart Transmission Project; Mayo Hydro Enhancement Project; and Whitehorse Diesel-Natural Gas Conversion Project.

For more info contact: Cam Osler, Mona Pollitt-Smith

landscape MB Needs for and alteratives to

Needs For And Alternatives To Review

Client: Manitoba Industrial Power Users Group (MIPUG)
Dates: 2013

Client: Manitoba Industrial Power Users Group

Dates: 2013

Representing the Manitoba Industrial Power Users Group, InterGroup participated in the NFAT Review of Manitoba Hydro’s Long-Term Capital Development Plan as an intervenor and expert witness.

InterGroup provided expert witness testimony on the financial and economic analysis of Manitoba Hydro’s preferred development plan and other alternatives including the potential risks to and impacts on Manitoban electricity customers.

For more info contact: John Osler, Patrick Bowman