Legal team size: 22

What projects are you most proud to have worked on over the past 12 months?

The Manitoba Hydro team has worked on various projects over the past 12 months, including: the company’s successful defence of an application to the Canada Energy Regulator by another utility challenging Manitoba Hydro’s electricity export permit; regulatory proceedings before the Manitoba Public Utilities Board including Manitoba Hydro’s gas subsidiary Centra Gas Manitoba Inc.’s rate application and Manitoba Hydro’s Electricity General Rate Application; the establishment of Manitoba Hydro’s Privacy Office; arbitration proceedings in a dispute involving the construction of Manitoba Hydro’s newest hydraulic generating station, the Keeyask Generating Station; Manitoba Hydro’s “Call for Power: Indigenous Majority-Owned Wind Project” as part of The Manitoba Affordable Energy Plan.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

Manitoba Hydro is a significant exporter of electricity into the Northern United States and our neighboring Provinces. I was responsible for the legal aspects of negotiations, drafting and legal risk assessment and managing cross-border issues related to Manitoba Hydro’s wholesale energy sale transactions (including cross-border issues) from 2003 to 2021, including major power purchase agreements with, among others, Northern States Power, Minnesota Power, SaskPower, Wisconsin Public Service and Great River Energy. In that role, I was part of the team that developed the business structure for the creation, funding and operation of Manitoba Hydro’s affiliate that facilitated the funding of the Great Northern Transmission Line in the U.S. (a 500 kv line from the Manitoba border into Minnesota) and all related transactions with Minnesota Power. I also assisted with the negotiation and drafting of agreements relating to the interconnection of the international transmission lines known in Manitoba as the Manitoba Minnesota Transmission Line and the Great Northern Transmission Line in the United States.

How does your team contribute to the overall business strategy of the company?

Manitoba Hydro is entering into a time of unprecedented change: adapting to and embracing new technologies in the energy space; changing relationships with our stakeholders; legislative changes; increased regulation; carbon markets; environmental social governance. Manitoba Hydro Legal Services Department views itself as an important partner in the business that is Manitoba Hydro and we work alongside our senior management to assist with the development of the strategies and corporate goals and objectives and then to assist with implementation. We strive not be the “sales prevention department”. We look for opportunities to be involved at the outset in the development of new projects or processes or relationships in order to bring the legal perspective to bear early.

The Corporate Secretary role of providing legal advice and advice on governance and compliance issues and other support to the Board Chair and in the preparation of board materials is of critical importance to the functioning of the business.

In addition to the Legal Services Department, the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary business unit includes the Ethics and Compliance Office, the Chief Privacy Officer, Insurance Services and Property. Each of these areas is integral to the success of our business and these groups work very effectively together under one business unit.