Strategic Planning and Consultation

SDS Strategic Directions & Solutions is recognized for developing and leading inclusive and interactive planning and consultation processes. We have facilitated public and community consultations on complex issues for a variety of clients.

Two projects that involved wide-spread consultations include:


Expansion, Update, and Maintenance of the National Occupational Standards for Environmental Employment (2003)

In 2003, SDS Strategic Directions & Solutions helped with the Expansion, Update, and Maintenance of the National Occupational Standards for Environmental Employment which involved consultation with more than 1,000 practitioners across Canada. ECO Canada (formerly Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Environment Industry) is one of over 30 sector councils that were established with federal startup funding to bring employers, workers, educators, and governments together to address human resource challenges facing the Canadian economy. The study resulted in the identification of 280 occupational standards for 19 environmental employment subsectors. ECO Canada's mission is: To ensure an adequate supply of people with the demonstrated skills and knowledge required to meet the environmental human resource needs of the public and private sectors.

Since 2003, these National Occupational Standards have formed the basis for the development of the human capital for all jobs in the environment industry Canada, helping Canada to increase the economic competitiveness of this sector both nationally and internationally. In 2009 we continued to assist Entegrys Incorporated, the prime contractor, with the updates to the current national occupational standards and the development of new occupational standards for greenhouse gas verifiers and quantifiers.

Restoring the Health of Lake Winnipeg: Canada's Sixth Great Lake.

In August 2005, as an associate of the Lake Winnipeg Implementation Committee, Sagietta Ramserran contributed to the development of the report: Restoring the Health of Lake Winnipeg: Canada's Sixth Great Lake. Drawing on extensive published data and feedback from technical experts, the report highlighted the current eutrophic state of the lake, projections for continued environmental degradation of the watershed and habitats, and the adverse economic impact to Manitoba's fishery and tourism industry. The report also identified the immediate need for collaborative efforts amongst all affected stakeholders and 22 recommendations for action by the governments of Manitoba and Canada.

Other projects involving wide-spread consultations were carried out for:

  • Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
  • Destination Winnipeg
  • Workforce Development, Competitiveness Training and Trade Manitoba
  • Cargill Limited
  • Fort Garry Industries
  • Fisheries and Oceans
  • Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)