InterGroup Consultants Ltd.

Fifty years ago today, InterGroup Consultants – then known as InterGroup Consulting Economists – became a registered business. Today, we are acknowledging this significant milestone by welcoming past members of our team, as well as many of our partners and clients to the WAG-Qaumajuq for a fun celebration as a thank you for supporting us over the last five decades. Thanks to local artist, Tim Toews, for creating this custom piece in honour of our 50th. This piece, which depicts a section of Portage Ave, features two of the buildings InterGroup has called home in Winnipeg’s downtown core, the Sterling building, and the Paris building. We look forward to hanging this piece in our office as a reminder of where we’ve been, as we look ahead to the next fifty years and what they may bring. 

This year we are pleased to celebrate 50 years of success, growth, and lasting partnerships – from coast, to coast, to coast. Located in the heart of Downtown Winnipeg since 1974, supporting the needs of our community, and yours, is at the core of what we do. Scroll through the post to see some highlights from the past 50 years of IG!

What better day to introduce you to our very im-paw-tant coworkers than National Pet Day! National Pet Day takes place every year on April 11 and encourages people to appreciate the role that pets play in our lives. Join us today as we celebrate our paw-some coworkers who keep our spirits high, even during the busiest workdays! #nationalpetday

Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art (MAWA) is a local Winnipeg based organization that supports women, non-binary, trans and Two-Spirit artists through mentorship and a wide range of events including lectures, workshops, exhibitions, critical discussion sessions, groups and more. Every year MAWA hosts “Over the Top,” and art auction and cupcake fundraiser that brings together established and emerging artists in a fun and accessible event. The event brings art lovers and art collectors together to bid on work donated by over 150 artists, raising funds to support MAWA and their programming We are proud to be one of the sponsors for this event since 2020 and are grateful to be able to continue attending and supporting this event and the work that MAWA does. We had a great time this year meeting new people, bidding on art, and eating cupcakes!

Meet Alisher! He joined our team in 2017 and has over 20 years of professional experience in Utility Rate Regulation, Project Licensing, and Socio-economic Impact Assessment. Alisher is our Financial Administrator and a Research Analyst. Q: What do you do at InterGroup? A: Since I joined to InterGroup I have been involved in various types of projects. My tasks have mainly included research, data collection, analysis, and illustration. The majority of the projects I have worked on have been on utility regulation matters, such as cost of service analysis and rate setting, mostly related to electricity tariffs. I have worked on socioeconomic impact assessment projects as well. For the last year and a half I have also been assisting with the company’s financial administration. Q: Something interesting that people might not know about your job?/Favourite part of your job? A: In the utility regulation process there are essentially three parties: a utility, customers, and a regulatory body. InterGroup has projects with all these parties depending on the province or territory. I have worked on projects related to each of the parties and had a chance to see things from all sides, from different angles. Utility tariffs must be fair for the customers and at the same time the customers need to have a sustainable utility. My favourite part of my work is a quantitative analysis, I like numbers. Q: Do you have a favourite project you have worked on? Or a fun memory from your time working at InterGroup? A: I have enjoyed every single project I have been involved in. Each project has had unique aspects and was a good experience for me. If I had to choose one of them, I would select the projects on cost-of-service analysis. Q: What keeps you busy outside of work? A: Having four children, family activities keep me busy outside of work. I really enjoy spending time with my family and kids. Q: Fun fact about you that not many people know? A: Soccer is my favourite sport, and I am a Manchester United fan. English is my fifth language.

World Water Day is held on March 22nd every year. It is an annual day of action and awareness by the United Nations focusing on the importance of freshwater. From utility rate regulation and water relicensing projects to freshwater fisheries, land use planning, and Heritage Resource Impact Assessments, water is a central element in much of the work we are engaged in at InterGroup. We acknowledges the water in our office and throughout Winnipeg is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation in Treaty 3 territory. We encourage you to learn about World Water Day, visit the UN website and explore local issues. #WorldWaterDay

In February, four Community Researchers from the Kivalliq region of Nunavut joined our team to support ongoing social, economic, and cultural research related to the development of the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link (KHFL). Three of our researchers were able to join us in Winnipeg for a week of training where they got a crash course on the KHFL and got to meet and spend time with the InterGroup team along with members of Nukik Corporation, the Inuit lead company leading the project. Highlights included getting to bring two of our researchers to the WAG-Qaumajuq to see Premier Wab Kinew's Keynote Speech at the Northern Perspectives Conference (and getting a photo of them together!) and being gifted this beautiful mini qamiutiik hand-crafted by one of our researchers. Welcome to the team Larry Jr., Jimmy, Lisa, and Donna!

Recently, Amber, Darryl, and Kayleigh attended the inaugural Protecting Our Ancestors conference held in Winnipeg. This event was co-hosted by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and brought together Elders, Indigenous leadership, museum professionals, archaeologists, and government officials to discuss whether Canada should implement legislation to ensure the protection, control, care, and repatriation/rematriation of Ancestral remains and belongings. Throughout the conference, Ashton from Mind’s Eye Creative created visual representations of the stories that were shared during the presentations and the resulting dialogue. The result was three visual panels illustrating the themes of the conference, including the need for collaboration, access, respect, and support, in the care and protection of the Ancestors. Amber and Kayleigh have been deeply engaged with repatriation work for much of their careers and were inspired by the passionate stories shared by presenters and attendees. We look forward to the continuation of these important discussions and efforts. 

Nancy joined InterGroup in 2005 and is now a Senior Associate. She has over 15 years of professional experience in Socio-economic Impact Assessment (including Heritage Resources) and Project Planning and Development. Q: What do you do at InterGroup? A: As a Senior Associate, I help out on Yukon related projects in both a Project Management capacity and to provide guidance and assistance on socio-economic assessment related topics. I help the team in whatever capacity the Project Principal requires. Q: Something interesting that people might not know about your job?/Favourite part of your job? A: I like the diversity in the things I do, from helping write proposals to get a piece of work, drafting memos and sections of baseline and effects assessment; organizing, facilitating and participating in team meetings; assisting junior staff with work assignments; and providing some historical background and experience with Yukon related work. Q: Do you have a favourite project you have worked on? Or a fun memory from your time working at InterGroup? A: I don’t have a favourite project; but I have always enjoyed the numerous ‘road trips’ in the Yukon where we have the opportunity to see the landscape the project is located in, and talk with people to understand the key concerns of communities related to the projects. Q: What keeps you busy outside of work? A: I am an avid mystery book reader; a regular at the gym; walk every day (mostly in our beautiful parks); work on photo and scrapbook albums; and enjoy our grandson. Of course, I’m also a Jets fan; and I love to travel whenever possible. Q: Fun fact about you that not many people know? A: I have flown in most sizes of airplanes from a small 4person Cessna and prop Otter to a jumbo 747 BUT not a helicopter!

Lucky and honoured to work with some seriously smart women.