PROJECT TEAM - CIRCLE SQUARE SOLUTIONS and URBAN SYSTEMS

PROJECT TEAM

CIRCLE SQUARE SOLUTIONS

Dale Wall – Project Lead Dale brings extensive experience in public finance, local governance and regional development to his work. Dale’s 25 years of experience in the B.C. Public Service includes 3 years as Deputy Minister of Community Development, 7 years as Assistant Deputy Minister of Local Government and significant work in a number of positions within the Ministry of Community Development, Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Finance.

Dale’s recent work includes acting as provincial negotiator for the 2015 $1 billion Peace River Agreement, serving as an adjunct member of the Expert Panel on Business Tax Competitiveness and working with the Union B.C. Municipalities Select Committee on Finance to produce “Strong Fiscal Futures; A Blue Print to Strengthening BC Local Governments Finance System”. He is also a Sessional Instructor at the University of Victoria, where he teaches an on-line course in Urban and Regional Economics.

Dale has Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and History from Simon Fraser University. Dale will be the Project Manager for this assignment and key client liaison throughout the study.

George Abbott – Senior Advisor George Abbott brings to this assignment the perspectives gained through his long and distinguished career in politics and public service. George has served the Province of BC in a number of Ministerial roles, including:

• Minister of Education (2010-12)
• Minister of Health for four years (2005-09)
• Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (2009-10);
• Minister of Sustainable Resource Management (2004-05); and,
• Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services (2001-04).
• From 1996 to 2001, George also served as Deputy House Leader for the Official Opposition.

Prior to his election to the Legislature, he served for 17 years in local government including as Director and Chair of the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District and as a Councillor at the District of Sicamous. George was a Sessional Lecturer in Political Science at Okanagan University College from 1980 to 1996. He is currently a Sessional Lecturer and doctoral candidate in Political Science at the University of Victoria.

His most recent work has been working with Chris Trumpy to find an agreed approach to water governance in the City of Kelowna.

Bob de Faye – Senior Advisor Bob is a respected and broadly experienced former provincial deputy minister. After receiving his BA in international relations, he went on to complete a Master’s in Public Administration. During his three-decade long career he served in a wide variety of senior and executive capacities including:

• Deputy Minister within the following ministries:
  • Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation;
  • Ministry of Small Business and Revenue;
  • Public Sector Employers’ Council;
  • Ministry of Health, Chief Administrative Officer, and,
  • Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services.
• Assistant Deputy Minster: Government Services and Registries, and Provincial Treasury
• Chair, BC Medical Services Commission

Bob began his career as a specialist in program evaluation and service costing. He has overseen public sector contract bargaining and has hands-on experience in labour relations. He also has experience in public engagement and consultation in both aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities and has carried out governance reviews working from within the provincial government as well as from the outside as a public policy consultant. Bob is currently working as an independent consultant and is a senior associate of Circle Square Solutions.

Chris Trumpy – Senior Advisor Chris Trumpy is a consultant who brings a wide range of operational and governance experience to his clients. His experience within the B.C Public Service spans more than 30 years and includes Deputy Minister postings in Finance, Environment, Provincial Revenue and Sustainable Resource Management. He has also served as Assistant Deputy Minister for Treasury Board Staff and Provincial Treasury. Chris has worked as a self-employed consultant since leaving the public service in 2009. Recent projects most relevant to this assignment include:

• Review of Governance structure and process for St Paul’s Hospital;
• Chair of BC Transit Independent Review Panel in 2012 which made recommendations related to governance and performance for the transit system outside of the Lower Mainland in BC; and
• Chair of an Industrial Electricity Policy Task Force in 2013 which made policy recommendations on issues related to industrial electricity rates in BC.

Most recently he has been working with George Abbott to find an agreed approach to water governance within the City of Kelowna. Chris has a B.Comm. from University of British Columbia and a CGA designation.

URBAN SYSTEMS

Dan Huang, MCIP, RPP – Principal and Local Government Advisor Dan is a Registered Professional Planner, a partner at Urban Systems and Branch Leader of our Victoria office. He has over 20 years of experience in land use planning through his work in both the private and public sector, including six years working within local government for both a municipality and a regional district.

Since joining Urban Systems in 2001, Dan has been involved in numerous governance and service delivery studies throughout the province, including: Salt Spring Island (Phase 1 governance study and Phase 2 incorporation study), Castlegar (boundary extension), Campbell River (boundary extension), Vernon (boundary extension), Trail (amalgamation study and boundary extension), Atlin (incorporation study), and the Regional District of North Okanagan (annexation and service delivery review). Dan will work closely with Dale and the rest of the Project Team, and provide key local government connections and dialogue based on his working relationship with the majority of municipalities and the CR

James Klukas, MCIO, RPP Local Government Advisor James is a Community Planner and Local Government Advisor working with Urban Systems’ Vancouver branch. With Urban Systems, James has twelve years of experience in planning and local government assignments throughout British Columbia and Alberta.

James was the primary author of incorporation studies in Barriere and Clearwater, resulting in the establishment of two new municipalities. James is currently completing an incorporation study for Salt Spring Island, and a Boundary Extension study with the City of Trail. He also recently completed a governance review for the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, and a municipal amalgamation study for Trail/Warfield.

James thoroughly enjoys discussions around governance, and he is well equipped to address the many considerations related to governance, finance, and service delivery. Prior to joining Urban Systems, James completed a B.A. in Political Science and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning. James’ previous experiences also include employment with the City of Ottawa and the Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat. James will provide advice to the Project Team on the key service delivery aspects with respect to efficiency and effectiveness, as well as lead the research into best practices within BC and across Canada.