CEMA Announces Joint Committee of Provincial & Federal Regulators

    FORT MCMURRAY, AB, June 25 /CNW/ - The Cumulative Environmental
Management Association (CEMA) announces the formation of a Joint Review
Committee of Members of the CEMA Management Committee and Northeast Alberta
Regulators. CEMA Management Committee and the Northeast Alberta Regulators
have identified a need to engage in a process to review the current governance
structure and operations of CEMA and clarify the future relationship of the
organization with Regulators. The purpose of the Committee is to determine the
future direction of the Association; provide clarity about CEMA's relationship
with the government's regulators; address CEMA's relationship with its members
and clearly articulate the limits of the difference between the power to
recommend and the power to decide.
    "CEMA is addressing its challenges and working towards concrete
solutions. This Joint Committee is an important element in our rebuilding
process," said Glen Semenchuk, CEMA Executive Director. "All members of the
committee are strong individuals and they have an excellent work plan; with a
final report by the end of the year."
    Over the past year, CEMA has been subject to scrutiny and criticism from
various sources with respect to governance, operations, accountability and
government participation within the association. There were two independent
reviews conducted to explore the operations and structure of CEMA to identify
recommendations to improve the organization. In 2008, CEMA initiated a
revitalization program to address many of the challenges identified and this
Joint Review Committee is a part of that process.The 8 members Joint Review Committee Members are:

    CEMA Management Committee Representatives:

    Rick Brown            President
    Judy Smith            Vice President
    Ruth Kleinbub         Treasurer
    Lisa Schaldemose      Officer at Large

    Northeast Alberta Regulators Representatives:

    Robert Anderson       Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
    Randall Barrett       Alberta Environment
    Brian Mackowecki      Department of Fisheries and Oceans
    Jennifer Steber       Department of EnergyCEMA is a nonprofit association based in Fort McMurray, Alberta. CEMA's
mandate is to study the cumulative environmental effects of industrial
development in the region and produce recommendations guidelines and
management frameworks. Since its inception CEMA has produced hundreds of
reports and 8 Management Frameworks.
    For more information about CEMA or a copy of the terms of reference of
the Joint Review Committee please visit www.cemaonline.ca.

For further information: Corey Hobbs, Communications Director,
Cumulative Environmental Management Association, [phone],
[e-mail]