The Government of Canada (GOC) and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation (FN) partnered to revitalize/develop a historical infrastructure asset, the Cape Croker Wharf, to create a more prosperous, sustainable and resilient community. Our team worked together with GOC and the FN community to help realize this goal. For this project, the GOC committed the funds necessary to develop the asset and, in exchange, the FN would take full responsibility and ownership of the rehabilitated asset, including assuming future liabilities and ensuring maintenance management and upkeep of the facility. The project showcases a successful partnership/collaboration between the GOC, the FN community and the private sector.

The work consisted of the complete rehabilitation of the Cape Croker Wharf structure which was originally constructed in 1904/1905. The construction site is situated on the north shore of Colpoys Bay, Georgian Bay, 24 km northeast of Wiarton, Ontario. All work permits were obrtained from federal and provincial regulatory agencies (Ministry of Natural Resources and Fisheries and Oceans Canada) for in-water works. The work consisted of the partial deconstruction of the existing wharf, installation of a steel sheet pile bulkhead wall surrounding the old wharf, construction of the scour apron, construction of concrete cap beam and concrete deck, installation of several appurtenances elements associated with this type of work (ladders, mooring cleats, fenders, curbs), as well as all other related work necessary for the realization of the project. Provisional works consisted of the construction of a boat launch ramp, wharf fire suppression systems and lighting.

Working closely with the FN community, community meetings were conducted at the band office. Department of Indigenous Services Canada (DISC) was also engaged to ensure the design of the facility would serve the present and future needs of the FN community (sustained well-being of the Nawash Community) while advancing the global sustainable development goals.

Furthermore, the contractor and FN made sure the project would offer/generate employment opportunities for the community during construction. Locals were employed in certified-in-trades positions, security guard, skilled and general labour, and foreman positions. The project demonstrates the essential characteristics of successful partnership/collaboration, specifically equity; commitment, coordination, and trust; communication efficiency and transparency; persistence; and, the conflict resolution technique of joint problem solving.

Ramez Sidaros, Associate, Buildings, Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Ramez Sidaros, P.Eng., ing, EGBC, IntPW (Canada) has 26 years of experience in the structural analysis and design of civil/structural engineering field. He has designed, supported and managed numerous major domestic and international projects, including Egypt, Canada, USA, Africa and the Caribbean, over the course of his career. His portfolio includes heavy civil engineering projects in the ports and marine, buildings, urban mass transit, and public civil infrastructure sectors. His expertise includes design and contract administration of tunneling projects through river alluviums, deep foundation structures, massive soil remediation works, rehabilitation and upgrading of government buildings, and rehabilitation of national iconic historical structures.

The Government of Nunavut has started construction on new marine infrastructure in its capital city of Iqaluit which relies heavily on resupply support from annual sealift during the open water season. The project consists of a new deep-sea port (DSP) and a small craft harbour (SCH), which includes the expansion of the municipal breakwater and improvements to the causeway.

Iqaluit has operated for decades without any significant marine infrastructure, forcing dry cargo carriers to anchor offshore and lighter cargo ashore using small tugs and barges when the tides allow, resulting in considerable delays. The DSP will improve the reliability, functionality and capacity of transport and the existing delivery of dry cargo and fuel supply.

Additionally, the lack of suitable infrastructure at the municipal breakwater results in congestion and safety hazards for subsistence hunters and fishers, as well as others launching boats. Once operational, the SCH will provide safer and easier boating operations with a new protected harbour, all tide access at the causeway, and faster and easier boat launching.

This presentation will describe the community engagement program that has been ongoing for the new marine infrastructure facilities since early design began (2016) to ensure that development serves the needs of the various users including: hunters, fishers, outfitters, recreational users, residents, dry cargo and fuel operators, etc., while staying within the allocated funding from the Governments of Canada and Nunavut. The overall approach to design and planning, as well as the various consultation methods and materials used during each phase of the project, will be discussed. Best practices and lessons learned to date will also be presented.

Harald Kullmann, Senior Port Manager, Advisian
Harald Kullmann is a senior port development engineer with Advisian-Worley practicing from the Vancouver office for the past 25 years. He is the engineer of record for the deep-sea wharf at Vale Inco’s nickel mine at Voisey’s Bay, Glencore Nickel’s deep-sea wharf at Deception Bay, and other mines in the Canadian Arctic. Harald has been working with the Department of National Defence on the Nanisivik Naval Facility since 2009. His other assignments have taken him across the Canadian Arctic, Greenland and Alaska. He is currently leading the port developments for Iqaluit and Pond Inlet for the Government of Nunavut and the Lancaster Sound harbours for Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada.

Diane Pinto, Senior Community Engagement and Indigenous Knowledge Consultant, Advisian
Diane Pinto has 20 years of experience in community development, traditional knowledge research, and Indigenous engagement. Her clients include governments, industry, non-governmental organizations and Indigenous groups across Canada, the Caribbean, and South America. Diane is the community consultation and Indigenous knowledge lead for the Government of Nunavut’s Marine Infrastructure Projects in Iqaluit and Pond Inlet and the Lancaster Sound Harbours Study for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Since 1999, she has also worked jointly with the Kayapo Indigenous group of the Brazilian Amazon for the conservation of their more than 11 million hectares of legally demarcated traditional lands.

British Columbia Ferry Services Inc., or BC Ferries, is known for safety, spectacular scenery and a proud maritime history. What began in 1960 as a two-vessel, two-terminal operation has grown into one of the largest and most sophisticated ferry systems in the world.

The Langdale Ferry Terminal has been serving the Sunshine Coast and the people of British Columbia since it was first built in 1957. The terminal has undergone a number of significant upgrades and expansions over the years in response to changes in the communities it services. It is one of four major terminals for BC Ferries.

In 2013, BC Ferries completed an ambitious 25-year Terminal Development Plan (TDP) for the Langdale terminal. The TDP helps BC Ferries service the community by responding to the terminal’s functional requirements and future growth while resolving key safety, efficiency and operational issues.

As part of the plan’s development, BC Ferries engaged with local First Nations, the community and stakeholders at key phases in the process. Over 200 people were consulted on the draft design for the terminal and the site plans, and about what they would like to see in specific areas of the terminal including landscape treatments, playground design, arts and cultural installations and the location of electric vehicle charging stations.

The presentation will briefly touch on the terminal planning efforts and will focus on the resulting Langdale Terminal Redevelopment Project which is currently under construction until 2022. The project is a combination of land and marine construction including:

• Construction of a brand-new 1800m2 terminal building along the shoreline;
• Seismic ground improvements;
• Construction of a new overhead walkway and gangway connecting passengers between the new terminal building and the vessel;
• Improvements to civil infrastructure and terminal utilities and services; and,
• Construction of a new ticketing plaza.

The upgrades in this project are intended to:

• Improve passenger safety, security and customer experience;
• Improve vessel efficiency and on-time performance;
• Improve universal accessibility;
• Increase capacity for future growth and to enable future flexibility at the terminal; and,
• Enhance the passenger amenities consistent with a major terminal standard.

Some of the project challenges that will be discussed include:

• Site conditions including soil and seismic risk considerations;
• Coastal engineering considerations;
• Phased construction within an operating ferry terminal; and, the
• Complex regulatory process.

With construction continuing into 2022, the project manager has become a trusted partner in the delivery of this major capital project for BC Ferries.

Tyler Thompson, Senior Project Manager, Colliers Project Leaders
Tyler Thompson is a Senior Project Manager at Colliers Project Leaders. An accomplished civil engineer and project manager by trade, Tyler leads large and complex multi-disciplinary capital infrastructure and transportation projects for a variety of public and private sector clients. His list of successful projects is comprehensive and spans initiation to closeout for bridges, highways, major utility upgrades, and marine projects.

Mike Pearson, Senior Project Manager, BC Ferries
Mike Pearson is a Senior Project Manager at BC Ferries. For over 10 years, he has planned and delivered marine construction projects for the largest ferry provider in the world. His expertise spans from dredging operations to pontoon replacements to complete ferry terminal redevelopments. Mike is often tasked with leading the most complex and difficult capital projects as BC Ferries aims to deliver a $3.9B capital plan by 2030.