ABORIGINAL ENERGY FORUM

December 5, 2011

8:00

Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00

Welcoming Remarks from Insight Information

9:15

Co-Chair’s Opening Remarks

Michael Fox 
President
Fox High Impact Consulting

9:15

Feed In Tariffs and Economic Connection Test

Michael Lyle
General Counsel and Vice President
Legal, Aboriginal & Regulatory Affairs
Ontario Power Authority

• The experience to date with FIT contracts that have aboriginal community participation
• The role of the Aboriginal Energy Partnerships Program in assisting aboriginal communities to develop renewable generation
• The IPSP and what the OPA heard in its discussions with Aboriginal communities on the IPSP

10:00

Networking Coffee Break

10:15

Regulatory Process for On-Reserve Land Disposition

Margaret Buist 
Directrice générale p. i. - A/Director General
Gestion des terres et de l’environnement - Lands and Environmental Management
Affaires Autochtone Developpement du Nord Canadien - Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

The presentation will review the most recent developments in regulatory regulations for energy projects approval on Reserve Land.

11:00

Renewable Energy Development on Crown Land

Ken Cain
Manager, Renewable Energy Program
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

• Matters of Aboriginal energy interests
• Aboriginal consultation and business to business opportunities

11:30

Aboriginal Consultation Business to Business

Cynthia Westaway
Regional Leader, Aboriginal Law Group
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (Ottawa office)

• Legal Trends: what are the Canadian courts telling us now in the new energy and consultation cases?
• What might the UN tell us in the future under the UN Declaration of Aboriginal Peoples?

12:00

Networking Luncheon

1:00

Transmissions Projects, Connections and Challenges

Murray Paterson
Project Manager – Little Jackfish (LJF) River Hydroelectric Project
OPG – HYDRO

• LJF River Project – transmission challenges
• Transmission Options Study – issues and opportunities
• Aboriginal participation in the EA and project development processes

Steven Lindley
Vice President, Aboriginal and Northern Affairs
SNC-Lavalin Inc.

• Community power in remote northwestern Ontario – opportunities for change
• Opportunities and challenges of interconnecting remote communities in northwestern Ontario
• Opportunities for aboriginal – private sector partnerships in transmission

2:15

Networking Refreshment Break

2:30

Financing First Nations Projects

Deborah Doncaster
Executive Director
Community Power Fund

Brent R. Kopperson
Director, Pukwis Energy Co-operative
Executive Director, Windfall Ecology Centre

Shannon McCabe 
Program Analyst – Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund
Ontario Power Authority

• Early stage grants
• Bridge financing through the new bridge loan program
• Equity, debt, accessing the Loan Guarantee program

Barbara Hendrickson
Counsel
Miller Titerle LLP

• Aboriginal rights and title – legal context
• Economic/cultural realities
• Negotiation strategies
• Manner of participation
• Participation structures
• Government programs

Rob Roberti
Senior Vice President of Power Generation
Capstone Infrastructure Corporation

• How to create an investment environment that attracts quality investors
• What investors can bring to the table to deliver a successful project
• Innovative approaches to partnering with First Nations communities

4:45

Day One Overview by Co-Chair and Conference Adjourns for the Day

DECEMBER 6, 2011

8:15

Continental Breakfast

9:00

Co-Chair’s Opening Remarks

Sandra A. Gogal
Partner
Miller Thomson LLP

9:10

Enabling Aboriginal Economic Participation – Pathway to Success or Road to Nowhere?

Paul Norris
President
Ontario Waterpower Association

• A review of the “incentives” for aboriginal participation in a waterpower project from a project development perspective
• Evaluation of strengths, weakness, synergies and missing links
• Recommendation for improving participation

9:45

Renewable Energy Developments on Traditional Territory – Striking the Balance

Aboriginal Waterpower Projects:

John Brace
Chief Executive Officer
Northland Power Inc.

On the joint venture with aboriginal company Mnidoo Mnising Power on a 60 megawatt wind farm on Ontario’s Manitoulin Island.

Norman R. Jaehrling 
Joint Venture Liaison
Pic Mobert

The Gitchi Animki Hydroelectric Project was among the first projects contracted under Ontario’s FIT program and is the most significant economic venture in the modern history of the Pic Mobert First Nation. The project provides a lesson-filled story of a Community’s relentless quest to organize and transform an idea into a developed venture that meets local aspirations and standards for economic, environmental and social success.

10:45

Networking Coffee Break

11:00

Aboriginal Wind and Solar Power Projects

Kerry Adler 
Chief Executive Officer
SkyPower Ltd.

• Project in Thunder Bay with the Fort William First Nation
• Importance of fostering innovative and collaborative relationships with First Nations in the clean energy sector
• Working together in mutual respect and building the right partnerships for success
• Opportunities

Stuart Torr
Senior Associate
Solas Energy Consulting Inc.

• Case study on renewable energy integration to First Nations water treatment facility in Manitoba
• Issue identification and economic evaluation of alternatives including wind, geothermal and solar

12:15

Networking Luncheon

1:45

LEGAL WORKSHOP

Partnerships Models for Aboriginal Communities: Negotiation and Drafting of Impact Benefit Agreements and Related Participation Agreements

Sandra A. Gogal 
Partner
Miller Thomson LLP

• The modernization of Impact and Benefit Agreements: context and purpose
• Lessons learned: top five pitfalls and how to avoid them

Scott Stoll 
Partner
Aird & Berlis LLP

Corporate Structuring for Aboriginal Partnerships:

• Choosing the right structure (partnership, corporation, co-operative, joint venture) for the project
• Keys to good governance and decision-making in the project vehicle and what decisions should be made by the shareholder
• Interaction of programs designed to assist participation in energy projects with the project vehicle
• Making your arrangement fit the FIT Program

Valerie Helbronner
Partner, Infrastructure and Energy Practice
Torys LLP

• The nuts and bolts of effectively managing corporate structures
• How to ensure your corporation is on side with procurement programs
• Veto rights and other contractual provisions to consider

3:45

• Senior Executives, Directors, Managers and In-house Counsel from:
  • Electric, Utilities and Energy Companies
  • Independent Power Generators and Service Companies
  • Independent Power Producers
  • Renewable Energy Companies
• Federal and Provincial Government Officials and Representatives:
  • Aboriginal Affairs
  • Business Development
  • Sustainable Development
• Chiefs, Leaders and Members of Aboriginal Communities and Associations

• Band Council Members and Officials
• Economic Development Directors and Officers
• Legal Counsel practicing Aboriginal, Natural Resources Law
• Managing Consultants in Energy and Natural Resources
• Energy and Environmental Lawyers
• Energy Advisors and Consultants
• Regulators and Policy Makers – Power and Utilities
• Power and Utilities Consultants
• Negotiators and Mediators

Dear Colleague:

We are pleased to invite you to Insight information's 5th Annual ABORIGINAL ENERGY FORUM.

For this two-day conference, Insight has developed a forum that provides timely information on recent developments in the renewable resource sectors that are engaging aboriginal participation in energy and economic development projects.

In addition, you will benefit from ample opportunities to discuss and to share best practices with others involved in the energy business.

Networking luncheons, informal breaks and question periods after each session will give attendees the opportunity to address their questions and to establish important industry contacts. The conference materials prepared by the speakers will also be a valuable resource for future reference and use.

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear about key issues and initiatives in energy projects that are affecting the economic development potential for aboriginal communities.

We look forward to your attendance and participation at this timely event!

Yours truly,

Michael Fox
President
Fox High Impact Consulting

Sandra A. Gogal
Partner
Miller Thomson LLP

SPONSOR

Register 3 delegates for the main conference at regular price at the same 00:00 and you’re entitled to register a fourth person from your organization at no charge. For other group discounts, please call 1-888-777-1707. All discounts must be redeemed when booking, discounts will not be valid or applied after this 00:00.