Technical Services

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Program Services

The Technical Services program provides advisory services and technical support to IFNA communities in areas pertaining to community infrastructure, operations and maintenance, and the environment. With years of experience and a true understanding of the needs and concerns of a First Nation community, the Technical Services team aims to assist in capacity building for its community members through skills transfer and expansion of available community services.

Housing

The IFNA Technical Services Department provides expertise to member communities on all housing matters including:

Executing complete plan reviews for new housing construction and renovations, including changes and recommendations;
Interpreting building codes and providing recommendations for application in First Nation communities;
Performing compliance inspections on new construction and renovations;
Executing complete plan reviews for new housing construction and renovations, including changes and recommendations;
Interpreting building codes and providing recommendations for application in First Nation communities;
Performing compliance inspections on new construction and renovations;
Providing housing assessments including guidance on planning activities such as budgeting, renovations and improvements, determining new construction vs. renovation, and maintenance;
Reviewing, analyzing, developing and/or administering community housing policies;
Assisting in contract administration for new construction and renovation projects;
Guiding communities through construction tendering including procurement of materials and professional services;
Supporting member First Nations with the following housing programs:
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC);
- Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) for Homeowners;
- Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) for persons with disabilities;
- Home Adaptions for Seniors’ Independence (HASIS);
- Loan Insurance Program On-Reserve with a Ministerial Loan Guarantee (MLG);
- Section 95 Rental Housing Program;
- Indigenous Service Canada (ISC) housing initiatives.

Water & Wastewater Management

The Independent First Nations Alliance Water and Wastewater Hub supports its member communities with 24/7 Technical Support and First Response Program (ISC funded). Program services provided by the Water and Wastewater Hub include:

Water/Wastewater System (s) current state and summary of work order/assigned tasks completed by the HUB;
Establishment and amendment to community Maintenance Management Plans (MMP) and Emergency Management Plan (EMP) for the system (s) within the Hub;
Providing coordination and assistance for participating First Nations to utilize Operator Certification and upgrading, Skills Transfer Education and Training Programs, including ORO mentoring, scheduling, and training delivery;
Executing associated reporting required within the Hub, including a summary of emergency responses (resolved or on-going) and those which have been referred to the 24/7 Technical Support and First Response Program and water quality data collection for each system(s);
Establishment of hierarchy and reporting relationship of local operators (i.e. indicate OIT, Operator level and OIC for each system).

Operations & Maintenance

The IFNA Technical Services Department provides support pertaining to Operations and Maintenance, including:

Updating the Integrated Capital Management System (ICMS);
Assisting in the development of Maintenance Management Plans (MMP);
Coordinating the Asset Condition Reporting System (ACRS) reports;
Advising First Nations on preventative maintenance practices and procedures;
Reviewing community operations and maintenance programs to seek out potential efficiencies;
Investigating emergency situations and advising on the appropriate course of action;
Providing technical guidance on all operation and maintenance related items.

Infrastructure & Capital Planning

The IFNA Technical Services Department provides technical advisory services to member communities related to Community and Capital Planning, including:

Assisting in the development of the First Nation Infrastructure Investment Plan (FNIIP), including preparation of preliminary costs;
Supporting IFNA communities in preparation of Terms of Reference for various projects;
Assessing technical proposals, designs, cost estimates and specifications;
Advising and assisting in the tender of construction projects;
Reviewing minor capital funding submissions;
Assisting in completing progress and completion certificates for minor capital projects;
Serving as a project representative on capital projects by:
- Assisting in the development of the required documentation for project submissions;
- Identifying the availability of local resources including labour, material, equipment, contractors and suppliers;
- Monitoring projects by attending project meetings, reviewing plans and specifications and performing site inspections;
- Assisting with the preparation of project status reports and completion certificates.

Waste Management

The IFNA Technical Services Department provides Waste Management expertise and support through:

Assisting in the development of Waste Management Plans;
Helping communities set up and manage Municipal Transfer Service Agreements (MTSAs);
Monitoring landfill sites and potential contaminants;
Assessing contaminated sites and assisting with remediation;
Reviewing and advising on funding applications.

Environmental

The IFNA Technical Services Department provides technical advisory services on a variety of environmental topics, including:

Participating as an Environmental Assessment Lead on the Wataynikaneyap Corporation gridline project for IFNA owner communities;
Conducting Phase 1 and 2 Environmental Site Assessments required for infrastructure projects;
Registering, upgrading and decommissioning fuel tanks in the Environment Canada FIRSTS database;
Executing or assisting in environment project development, tendering and management;
Providing environment project technical support for IFNA communities;
Preparing funding applications and executing associated required reporting.