Who:

This course is intended for surface landmen and administrators interacting in all facets of surface activities and associated regulations in British Columbia.

What:

This seminar will cover a wide range of issues provided under the jurisdiction of the British Columbia Surface Rights Board and the British Columbia Oil & Gas Commission.  An overview of oil & gas activities in British Columbia will also be presented by the operations manager of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

Registration Fee includes beverages and snacks.

Instructor(s):

Cheryl Vickers, B.C. Surface Rights Board

Appointed in January 2003 as Chair of the Property Assessment Appeal Board, Ms. Vickers served the Board as Vice-Chair since 1995 and as a part-time Board member from 1993 to 1995.  She is a lawyer and formerly practiced in a variety of fields, including administrative law.  In July 2007, Ms. Vickers was also appointed Chair of the Mediation and Arbitration Board, now called the Surface Rights Board, a tribunal exercising jurisdiction under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Act to resolve surface lease disputes between landowners and the holders of sub-surface rights.

Cheryl will cover:  scope of the SRB"s jurisdictions, how to apply, mediation process, arbitration process, and emerging issues before the SRB.

Tom Ouellette, Executive Director, Permitting and Authorizations Department, B.C. Oil & Gas Commission

Tom leads a team of technical specialists who are responsible for the review and adjudication of all oil and gas applications including First Nation consultation.  Tom has been with the Commission since inception 16 years ago and has focused most of his time on First Nations and inter-government relations and land use issues.  In the past he held the position of Director of First Nations Relations and was the Commission lead in the negotiation of the Consultation Process Agreements. 

Prior to working at the Commission, Tom was the Oil and Gas Planner for the Ministry of Energy and Mines for 5 years.  During this time, he participated on the Fort Nelson, Fort St. John and Dawson Creek Land and Resource Management Planning Processes, as well as served on the Regional Protected Areas Team as part of the British Columbia Protected Areas Strategy.

In addition, Tom worked for ten years as a Land Inspector with BC Lands.

In February 2013, Tom was recognized for his contributions to the Public Service and to Canada and was honoured to receive the Queen"s Diamond Jubilee Medal.