IPM Integrated Project Management Inc.

Overview

IPM is a Certified Canadian Aboriginal and Woman Owned Business that provides consulting services to First Nations Bands, economic development organizations, federal and provincial governments and private industry. The company has been operating for 20 years in Canada, with the last seven years focused on the utility and energy sector. Our head office is located in Ontario with representatives in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. We support the advancement of the Canadian economy by providing highly skilled Project Management methods and implementation plans, solid qualitative and quantitative research reports, strategic advice, coordinating international trade strategic partnerships and acting as liaisons between First Nation Bands and industry and government. For every project we assemble a team of expert consultants to bring the best results for our clients. IPM’s associates include P6 project controls expertise, project managers as well as HR, business development and international trade specialists.

Our initial entry into the utility sector began with SaskPower. We supported various departments through the organizational change process by removing inter-departmental barriers when it came to construction contracts. By teaching and emphasizing the value of Project Management to various inter-related departments, such as Asset Management, Legal, Procurement, Engineering and Construction Management. It allowed for the transition from a functional organization to a highly matrix structured organization. IPM then carried the discipline an approach to a key contractor to that utility.

Recently, by working with the Ontario market, IPM has been involved more heavily with the Indigenous communities, some of which own and operate generation operations within the Ontario grid.

Because of IPM’s experience in utility work, we are sought out by communities (Indigenous as well as non-Indigenous) to help them through the Market Renewal program. Through these priority markets, it became very apparent that ultimately the SMR program will be a key component of the new structures that are being planned and implemented both here, the USA and abroad.

IPM believes that the development of the SMR industry will be a challenge in geographic areas that is most needed. For example, communicating with Canada’s Northern and remote communities. IPM’s existing and growing relationships will be needed to help through the education and communications pieces in order to achieve meaningful dialogue with our Indigenous communities and First Nations leaders.

Additionally, it is clearly evident that the global community has identified SMRs as a potential to reduce green house gases (GHG). In Canada, many provincially governed generation station operators either are ready or are getting ready to make plans to apply for the federally supported programs around SMRs.

IPM understands the global need and vision. We work with First Nation communities with respect to generating green power, whether it is solar or hydro. We understand the relationship with the land and the water and the air that our Indigenous people strongly live with everyday. It is this relationship that has encouraged various communities to adopt ‘green’ power.

However, nuclear energy on large scale and its historical mishaps have convinced the Indigenous culture that nuclear is not a way to go. In the course of trying to keep up with the pace of nuclear, the vision for nuclear energy is coming to a clearer realization. Smaller nuclear plants are more appropriate and these plants will address many of the grave historical risks associated with large scale nuclear projects. Moreover, research and new technology are indicating that through SMR, these risks are virtually eliminated, or the impact of the risk has been contained.

Our Canadian First Nation communities will want to be educated in all aspects of risk and remediation/reclamation in order to determine if there will be any economic opportunities, without potential damage to our lands, waters, air, or culture. Also, while interested in economic reconciliation, they will not endorse the SMR programs without the confidence and trust that this form of nuclear technology will not impede their way of life.

Ultimately, the acceptance of nuclear power will be obtained through education. Micro-SMR technology may be the way to allow for the development of trust to be established within our Canadian Indigenous culture.

The development of Canada’s SMR Roadmap has given the Canadian nuclear industry a path for success; with over 50 recommendations to all essential enabling partners. IPM believes it can join as an enabling partner as we could open opportunities for northern regional development, and enable a constructive dialogue with Indigenous and northern communities on addressing key energy challenges.

IPM can support this Plan of action:

• through its areas of influence. IPM may be well able to support the deployment of micro-SMR technologies in Canada within a First Nation community.
• through its areas of expertise in business development, IPM can provide research data by identifying economic opportunities for our First Nations through economic leakage studies which will identify Indigenous capability to work within the nuclear industry as well as develop training programs in advance so that individuals are ready to enter that market place.
• work with First Nation communities to gather feedback that will allow them to influence national standards and secure investments in Canada’s future.
• seek out opportunities to integrate micro-SMRs with other clean energy sources, storage technologies and applications to accelerate Canada’s low carbon future.
• by contributing to diversity and representation in the nuclear industry through greater inclusion of women, minority communities and youth. IPM will explore meaningful and long-term economic partnership opportunities with Indigenous, rural, remote and northern communities.
• Support complementary activities outlined in each partner’s chapter.

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