Council appoints remaining members of water utility oversight board

Calgary city council has green-lit the appointment of four members to the city’s new water utility oversight board, which aims to strengthen management of Calgary’s water utility in the wake of two catastrophic infrastructure failures. 

Kate Chisholm, Corey Goulet, Ed McCauley and Kim Sturgess will join Stephen Stanley, a former Epcor executive who was named the inaugural chair of the water utility oversight body last month.

“We were looking for people who would bring different perspectives to the table, work effectively together and understand the important governance role of the WUOB,” said Stanley, who was with Epcor Utilities Inc. — Edmonton’s public water utility — for more than 25 years and was also a civil engineering professor at the University of Alberta.

“Together, we have the breadth of experience needed to provide thoughtful, independent advice while keeping a clear focus on the long-term reliability and sustainability of Calgary’s water utility.”

The five-member board was established in response to recommendations from the Bearspaw South Feedermain Independent Review Panel, led by retired Atco executive Siegfried Kiefer.

Kiefer’s panel, which spent nine months investigating the 2024 rupture of the Bearspaw South feeder main, found the city’s water utility had “systemic gaps” and infrastructure been mismanaged for the better part of 20 years. A culture of deferred inspections and maintenance on critical water assets ultimately culminated in the abrupt failure of the city’s most important water transmission line on June 5, 2024.

Among the third-party panel’s recommendations was to establish an independent oversight board that would provide expertise and advice on water utility performance, finances, long-term planning, risk management and regulatory compliance.

However, the board’s role will be advisory and its members will not make operational decisions related to Calgary’s water utility or infrastructure.

The appointees were selected through a skills-based recruitment process supported by an external recruitment firm, according to the city’s release. The recruitment process focused on finding individuals with experience in governance, regulatory environments, engineering, critical utility operations, finance, risk management, environmental science and executive utility leadership.

Chisholm is an experienced corporate director with C-suite experience spanning legal and regulatory matters, risk management, environmental policy, sustainability and communications, according to the release. A lawyer by training, she has held senior leadership roles with organizations including Capital Power Corporation, Epcor Utilities and the Alberta Electric System Operator, with extensive board experience.

Goulet is a senior energy infrastructure executive with experience in major capital projects, engineering and operations. He is a mechanical engineer by training and has held senior leadership roles with Trans Mountain, TC Energy, Kiewit, Steelhead LNG and Tundra Energy Marketing. Goulet also brings significant experience working in regulated environments, the release says.

McAuley is the University of Calgary’s current president and vice-chancellor — roles he has held since 2019. He’s also held leadership positions in water and environmental research initiatives, including with the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Water Research and Alberta Water Research Institute. 

Rounding out the appointments, Sturgess is an engineer and business leader with expertise in water management, governance and policy, according to the release. She is the founder and former CEO of WaterSMART Solutions, with whom she spent more than 20 years helping industrial, municipal and government clients improve the management of Alberta’s water resources.

Sturgess also has held roles with the Alberta Water Council, Alberta Chamber of Resources board, the Calgary Airport Authority and National Research Council of Canada.

“Independent oversight is an important part of a strong and accountable water utility,” stated Michael Thompson, chief operating officer of Calgary’s water utility. “We welcome the perspective the board will bring alongside administration’s operational knowledge and expertise.

“I look forward to working together to strengthen decision-making and support a water system Calgarians can rely on for generations to come.”

As chair, Stanley will receive an annual retainer of $70,000, while the other four members will receive $30,000 in yearly compensation. The board is expected to meet eight times a year. Any meetings beyond that will result in an additional $1,000 in compensation per member, per meeting.

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