GIFL Secretariat
The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation have been working on this project for more than 10 years, primarily determining if this is 'right path' for the community. Through the project evolution, the community has been slowly been building momentum. On February 16, 2021 the Chief and Council formally issued a Council Resolution directing that a Fixed Link from Georgina Island to the mainland will be constructed prior to December 31, 2026. This Resolution requires project momentum and pace be maintained at a level that would seriously impact the current First Nation Administration to offer the required services required to that community. For that reason, the Chippewas of Georgina Island have developed an administrative entity, the Georgina Island Fixed Link Secretariat.
What does the GIFL Do?
The GIFL Secretariat is accountable to Chief and Council with the directives to maintain project momentum and manage the information and engagement requirements to complete the Fixed Link project. More specifically, a formal project management team has been hired to assist Chief and Council to manage the following aspects of the Fixed Link Project:
a. Collection, assembly and distribution of Fixed Link Project information to Chief and Council;
b. Manage RFP and contracts of third party technical teams working on the Fixed Link Project;
c. Plan, manage document and facilitate engagement requirements for the Fixed Link Project;
d. Develop financial management budget and application for funding for the Fixed Link Project;
e. Any other GIFL Project Management Services as directed by Chief and Council.
GIFL Secretariat Key Personnel
The GIFL Secretariat is wholly controlled by the Chief and Council of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. At the present time, Marlene Stiles holds the position of Fixed Link Community Advisor for the Fixed Link Project. Her role is to flow communications and information on behalf of the First Nation between Council and the Fixed Link Secretariat.
The First Nation has hired the Cambium Indigenous Professional Services (CIPS) Inc. team to provide the Secretariat management duties. CIPS CEO, Michael Jacobs will act in the role of Fixed Link Project Manager. The team at CIPS will fill in the human resource requirements pertaining to technical reviews and engagement services at the Fixed Link.