Panelists
TI Canada published a report discussing the challenges and opportunities associated with resource development in Newfoundland and Labrador and the importance of transparency and accountability in the environmental assessment (EA) process.
With its future growth largely tied to offshore oil and gas, mining, and electric power generation from hydro and wind, Newfoundland and Labrador’s economic engines must advance with due regard to the EA process.
Special thanks to Simon Popescu, Cole Atlin, and the members of the advisory committee for their diligent efforts.
Sincere thanks to the Trottier Family Foundation for their support of this project.
Follow the conversation online with the hashtag #NFLD2023
Moderator
Bojan Fürst
Manager of knowledge mobilization at the Leslie Harris Centre of Regional Policy and Development at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Academic / professional credentials:
MA in Geography, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Post-Graduate Diploma in Social Policy Development, Erasmus University
Bachelor of Journalism, Mount Royal University in Calgary
Bojan Fürst is manager of knowledge mobilization with the Leslie Harris Centre of Regional Policy and Development at Memorial University of Newfoundland. For the past 13 years, he has facilitated conversations across Newfoundland and Labrador as well as nationally and internationally on topics ranging from economic development to regional priorities to blue economy and a diverse set of environmental issues. Bojan maintains a vibrant documentary practice and his photographs are in private collections and the Permanent Collection of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. You can hear his radio documentaries across Canada on CBC.
Panelists
Simon Popescu
Masters of Urban and Regional Planning Candidate / Queen’s University School of Urban and Regional Planning
Academic / professional credentials:
Bachelor of Environmental Science, Waterloo
Publications / conferences attended:
Popescu, S. (2022, October 19-20). Mediation and Impact Assessment: Revisiting Prospects for Sustainability Goals [Conference presentation]. Back to Basics: Creating Value through Environmental Assessment. Ontario Association for Impact Assessment.
Simon Popescu is a Master’s student studying Urban and Regional Planning at Queen’s University, in Canada. Simon’s research interests focus on environmental assessment, particularly the use of mediation in these processes. Before studying at Queen’s, Simon completed his Bachelors of Environmental Studies with honours at the University of Waterloo with a specialization in Earth Systems Science. During his time at Waterloo, Simon enrolled in the co-op program, where he gained experience in research and stakeholder management through a variety of work placements with the Canadian Federal Government and assisting with his professors’ research projects. Simon has received a number of distinguished research awards, including the Ontario Graduate Scholarship and the Canada Graduate Scholarship awarded by the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Simon is a member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and the Ontario Association for Impact Assessment.
Dr. Sara L Seck
Associate Professor, Yogis & Keddy Chair in Human Rights Law, and Director of the Marine & Environmental Law Institute at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University.
Academic / professional credentials:
PhD, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
LLB, University of Toronto
B Mus (MUN) M Mus (Ottawa)
Dr. Sara L Seck is the Yogis & Keddy Chair in Human Rights Law and Director of the Marine & Environmental Law Institute at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University. Originally from St John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, she returned to the Atlantic provinces in 2017 to take up a position at Dalhousie after 10 years on the faculty of an Ontario law school. At Dalhousie, she teaches courses in environmental law, business and international law. An expert in business and human rights approaches to environmental problems, she has undertaken research contracts on behalf of Dalhousie for the United Nations Environment Programme, including on responsible business climate action under OECD responsible business conduct guidance tools, and a human rights-based approach to plastic pollution. Other SSHRC funded research has considered the relationship between human rights-informed responsible business conduct tools and impact assessment laws (See https://digitalcommons.schulichlaw.dal.ca/ialawrbc/ )
Dr. Mark Stoddart
Professor, Acting Department Head, Department of Sociology, Memorial University.
Academic credentials:
PhD in Sociology, UBC, 2008;
MA in Sociology, University of Victoria, 2004.
Killam Postdoctoral Fellowship at Dalhousie University in the Department of Sociology & Social Anthropology.
Dr. Mark C.J. Stoddart is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Memorial University, with research interests in environmental sustainability, social movements, and communications and culture. He is co-author of the book, Industrial Development and Eco-Tourism: Can Oil Extraction and Nature Conservation Co-Exist? (Palgrave). Through a comparative analysis of Denmark, Iceland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Norway, and Scotland, this project offers valuable lessons for how coastal societies can better navigate relationships between resource extraction and nature-based tourism. His work appears in a range of international journals, including Energy Research & Social Science, Ecology & Society, Environmental Communication, and Society & Natural Resources.
Dr. Cole Atlin
Impact Assessment and Engagement Specialist at Calian Nuclear
Academic credentials:
PhD in Social and Ecological Sustainability (University of Waterloo)
Masters in the Study of Law (Western University)
Masters in Global Governance (Balsillie School of International Affairs)
Dr. Cole Atlin is an impact assessment researcher and practitioner. She has worked in impact assessment for over 10 years, specializing in sustainability, indigenous engagement in IA, and next generation impact assessment. During her academic career, Dr. Atlin received the Rita R. Hamm IA Excellence Award from the International Association for Impact Assessment. Her research was supported by SSHRC, the Impact Assessment Agency, WCS, and other organizations. Dr. Atlin has authored the Mining for Sustainable Development review for Ontario’s environmental assessment for Transparency International Canada and edited the review of Newfoundland and Labrador’s EA process. She is currently an Impact Assessment and Engagement Specialist at Calian Nuclear, and also holds an Adjunct Professorship at the University of Waterloo.