Glen Semenchuk uses Alberta's CEMA as an example of a multi-stakeholder organization tasked with building consensus around difficult issues. CEMA was formed by industry and government in 2000 as a multi-stakeholder group to deal with the cumulative effects of development of the oilsands in Northeastern Alberta. A recent Government of Alberta review of the organization reported: “CEMA has been able to tackle complex issues with a diverse range of stakeholders at the table...it delivered a number of useful products that can contribute to solving a number of complex regional issues... is well placed to provide advice to the GOA in terms of strategic intent, setting outcomes, policies and plans...one of CEMA's strengths is the good reputation that it has established with its stakeholders.”
Why then in the last couple of years did industry and subsequently government start to inhibit CEMA’s ability to function by reducing funding and finally in 2015 cutting all of its funding?
Glen Semenchuk's presentation was part of the AIA 2016 Conference, Apr. 20. Glen Semenchuk is Director at the Gavis Group and past Executive Director at CEMA.
