WBEA elects Aboriginal, Industry, Government and ENGO members to Governance Committee

Fort McMurray, Alberta – The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) elected a new Governance Committee at the Association’s 16th Annual General Members meeting on Wednesday in Fort McMurray. Made up of two Aboriginal members, three industry members, one government member and one environmental non-government member, the new Governance Committee is a well-balanced, multi-sector representation of WBEA’s entire membership.

Diane Phillips, Syncrude Canada Ltd., will remain WBEA President, while Peter Fortna, Conklin Resource Development Advisory Committee (CRDAC), steps into the Vice President role. Doug Johnson, Athabasca Oil Corp., takes on the Secretary/Treasurer role, and Michael Aiton, Alberta Environment & Sustainable Resource Development remains as a Director. Natasha Rowden, MEG Energy, Andrew Read, Pembina Institute, and Linda Aidnell, Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation (CPDFN), all join the WBEA Governance Committee as new Directors.

Of her new position, Linda Aidnell said, “I am honoured to be representing CPDFN at the WBEA Governance Committee table. Our presence at the table will be beneficial to promote monitoring activities in the southern part of the region. As a First Nation representative, this gives us a voice to bring forward community concerns.”

Andrew Read, Pembina Institute, said, “I’m happy to represent Pembina’s interests at the WBEA table. WBEA serves a critical role in connecting the technical experts with the community to ensure that environmental monitoring meets the needs and expectations of local stakeholders. With Alberta and Canada redefining the provincial environmental monitoring system, it is essential to maintain WBEA as a model of how to undertake environmental monitoring effectively.”

New WBEA Vice President, Peter Fortna of CRDAC, looks forward to his new role. “I am pleased to be returning to the WBEA Governance Committee as Vice President. WBEA does very important environmental monitoring work in this region, and I certainly hope that the role and voice of local Métis communities is taken seriously by the provincial and federal governments going forward.”

WBEA President, Diane Phillips continues her position with passion and dedication to WBEA and its success. “I am excited and looking forward to working with the talented individuals on the new Governance Committee. Their active participation will be critical to our ongoing success.”

WBEA Executive Director, Dr. Kevin Percy, is pleased with the balanced make-up of the new Governance Committee. “Each member of our Governance Committee brings an important voice and perspective to the table. Having Aboriginal, industry, government and ENGO representation at the governance level will help ensure that we continue to have consistent and meaningful regional stakeholder engagement in technical planning.”