Case Studies
We listen to our clients to learn and understand key priorities, challenges, and aspirations.We love what we do and have fun with our clients, meeting and often exceeding their expectations.
Town of High Level
2022 – 2026 Strategic PlanThe Brief
The Town of High Level is Alberta’s most northern town and is home to approximately 3,800 residents. While the Town had several previous long-term planning documents that guided its work, Council wanted to develop an overarching Strategic Plan to be reviewed and updated every four years during its term – serving as a road map to deliver its vision with community input and agilely respond to opportunities.
Our Work
In 2021, CMR began working on this exciting project. We held workshops with Council and Administration to gain a clear understanding of the current state, opportunities, gaps, challenges, and priorities. Following the initial research and information gathering, several channels and tools were utilized to fully engage with the community to make certain residents’ voices were heard, allowing us to take the collective input and prepare the draft Strategic Plan. A second round of engagement followed with the community, providing an opportunity for further input. The 2022-2026 Plan was then built to include all the feedback, ensuring it was flexible enough to respond to unplanned circumstances while considering priorities, past and present plans, interests, and concerns.
Deliverables
A Strategic Plan that included:
- Goals and objectives that reflected the needs and priorities of the community
- An implementation plan detailing accountabilities and timelines
- Measurable success indicators
- Monitoring, tracking, and reporting mechanisms to show progress and transparency
“CMR worked with the Town of High Level to develop our four-year Strategic Plan, which involved working closely with senior management and Council as well as three phases of extensive community and stakeholder engagement. CMR also facilitated in-person workshops, drawing out valuable information and data from workshop participants and translating their input into strategic goals and objectives. The resulting Strategic Plan is an excellent, professionally developed, and practical document. It is exactly what we asked for.”
- Hayley Gavin, Director of Planning & Development, Town of High Level
Acho Dene Koe First Nation (ADKFN)
Community Comprehensive Strategic PlanThe Brief
Acho Dene Koe First Nation (ADKFN) is a proud community that spans three jurisdictions: Northwest Territories, northeast British Columbia, and southeast of the Yukon Territory, with their community residing in Fort Liard, Northwest Territories. The Nation required a five-year strategy, encompassing the development of their first Community Comprehensive Strategic Plan – designed to direct community planning in a way that would meet their needs and aspirations, set their visions for the future, and identify long-term goals for the Nation. CMR was excited to work closely with the Nation and its Members to help make their goals a reality.
Our Work
CMR had an opportunity to work closely with community Members (including Elders and Youth), Chief and Council, Administration, and the Nation-owned company to gather critical data used in designing and rolling out their Community Comprehensive Strategic Plan. Engagement efforts included a variety of community-based activities over the course of a month and a half, including a three-day workshop session, door-to-door engagement, Elders luncheon, school sessions, and youth event. Activities encouraged inclusive participation, designed to be culturally appropriate, respecting protocols and incorporating translation in the planning stages.
CMR also continues to support this Plan's implementation and is currently working on an Organizational and Capacity Assessment for the transition to self-government, which is in the negotiations phase with the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Federal Government.
Deliverables
A Five-Year Community Comprehensive Strategic Plan, that included six primary areas defined by goals that lay the foundation for the community’s vision for their future.
The Plan reflects a wide range of priorities for the community, including self-government, culture, health and well-being, education and employment, economic development, infrastructure, and land and resources. The aligned objectives are big ‘buckets’ with action items that include tasks for how to achieve them, through a detailed operation plan.
TC Energy
Stakeholder EngagementThe Brief – Grand Rapids Pipeline
TC Energy is a 7,300 people strong pipeline company that puts sustainability at the forefront of its stakeholder engagement and partnerships. As part of TC Energy’s development of its oil pipeline projects, they required support in conducting engagement, community consultation, and regulatory application support on various projects in Alberta and British Columbia, including their Grand Rapids Pipeline Project, a 460 km pipeline running from north of Fort McMurray to the Edmonton area.
Our Work
With CMR’s extensive work in stakeholder engagement across Canada, our team was ready to lead engagement on the Grand Rapids Pipeline Project. CMR provided advisory services and led all stakeholder engagement planning and implementation, material writing and development, consultation, and reporting, including application writing. CMR identified key communities, interest groups, and First Nations within the radius of the project and prepared an in-depth stakeholder and rightsholder mapping and risk report. This was followed by active engagement that included managing and preparing teams, facilitation, issues management and opposition mitigation, giving presentations, sharing project information, and promptly responding to and tracking all questions and concerns. CMR liaised between TC Energy and these communities to ensure accurate and consistent messaging.
Deliverables
Community Consultation and Engagement that included:
- Delivery of a 90-page report on identified communities, including stakeholder mapping, assessment, and risk assessment as part of the pre-engagement work
- Content writing for all public meetings and engagement support
- Document, submission ready stakeholder engagement activities, logs, issues and mitigation, etc. as part of the application permitting requirements
- Planning including advertising, logistical management, and facilitation
View on TC Energy Website
Pulse Seismic
Brand RefreshThe Brief
We loved diving in with the Pulse team. We started with developing their Strategic Plan, and from there we had the opportunity to assist with the implementation of their plan, including the delivery of their first Sustainability & ESG report, defining their Indigenous commitments, and collaborating on their re-brand. After almost 20 years, it was exciting to create a new design and fresh look to better reflect the company today – delivering the largest 2D and 3D data library to the Western Canada energy sector.
Our Work
With a logo dating back to 2004, much has changed for the energy industry and Pulse. We worked with their team to create a contemporary new logo and wordmark with a fresh colour palette, reflecting the company’s position as Canada’s energy data market leader and expansion into new areas as part of the energy transition.
Deliverables
- New logo
- Fully redesigned website
- Rebranded templates: business cards, letterhead, email signature, PowerPoint presentation, and Financial Report
- Office signage
- Marketing and display materials
“When working with CMR, you feel like you’re collaborating with your own team members. They took the time to learn about our business and really listen to our ideas and our many concerns. Their knowledgeable team of professionals was very responsive to feedback and always had more creative ideas to bring to the table. When you hire CMR, you get dedicated new team members who are hyper- focused on achieving the results you need.”
- Pamela Wicks, Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer
Pulse Website
Fort McMurray #468 First Nation
2021 Sustainability Report to CommunityThe Brief
Fort McMurray #468 First Nation is a proud Cree First Nation located about 40km southeast of Fort McMurray, Alberta. CMR has had the privilege and pleasure of working with this incredible community for many years to support them in their goal to create a self-sufficient and prosperous Nation for their Members and future generations. Our continued work with this community spans all their entities and often incorporates elements from all our core services, from designing and delivering branding and marketing materials to facilitating and utilizing community-wide input to develop their Community Comprehensive Strategic Plan. In 2022, CMR had the exciting opportunity to develop the Nation’s inaugural Sustainability Report to Community.
Our Work
Sustainability is a fundamental value to the Nation, and using the Eight Community Pillars from their Community Comprehensive Strategic Plan as a foundation for the Sustainability Report allowed the community to explore Sustainability in the areas of Governance, Land, Infrastructure, Health & Wellness, Education, Economy, Social Well Being, and Culture and Language. CMR worked with the Nation, its Members, and entities to define and demonstrate what Sustainability means for them and to connect it with their ways of knowing and living on the land. CMR prioritized relationship-building and community engagement to gather data and input from Members and ensure their voices and stories were heard. This report celebrates the Members, demonstrates leadership’s commitments, and guides the Nation on its journey toward becoming a strong, sustainable, and resilient community. The success of this report has led to the Nation now working on the first [known] Indigenous Environmental, Social, and Governance (IESG) report, with CMR developing Indigenous metrics that reflect the values, culture and priorities of the community.
Deliverables
A hard copy and digital flipbook-format Sustainability Report that included:
- How the Nation and its Members define Sustainability
- Community Pillars and Member input as the foundation for report content development
- Recognition of the impact of equity partnerships with industry
- Stories and data that celebrated the Nation’s journey and their path forward
View the 2021 Sustainability Report
Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary
CommunicationsThe Brief
The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) engaged CMR to support the launch and position of the aisokinakio’p Clinic, a collaborative initiative with OKAKI and Siksika Health Services. This project aimed to create a strong, culturally aligned brand and marketing communications strategy to connect the clinic with Indigenous community members while promoting trust with partners, donors, and stakeholders. The objective was to craft an authentic narrative and create materials that align with Indigenous values and promote access to critical health resources.
Our Work
Deliverables included a visual identity, materials for distribution, and a digitized welcome brochure flipbook. Additionally, CMR developed a targeted communications and brand strategy to align the clinic’s outreach efforts with its business goals to create a unified and impactful engagement approach. These tools and strategies enabled the aisokinakio’p Clinic to effectively connect with its community and stakeholders, building trust and enhancing its reputation as a vital resource for Indigenous health services.
Deliverables
Brand Messaging Platform, Communications and Branding Strategy, and Digital Assets for aisokinakio’p Clinic.
Fort McMurray #468 First Nation
2022/2023 Indigenous ESG (IESG) ReportThe Brief
Fort McMurray #468 First Nation (FMFN) is a proud First Nation located ~40km southeast of Fort
McMurray, Alberta. CMR has had the privilege and pleasure of working with this thriving community for
many years across all of their entities to support them in creating a self-sufficient and
prosperous Nation for their Members and future generations. FMFN468 had a vision to create its first
Indigenous Environmental, Social, and Governance (IESG) Report to showcase the Nation’s commitment
to sustainable development, self-reliance, and reconciliation through an Indigenous lens, incorporating
their Eight Community Pillars and seven-generation thinking. They wanted a report that adhered to
industry ESG standards and highlighted their unique cultural identity, values, and priorities. Working
side-by-side we developed their inaugural 2022/2023 report that serves as a model for other Indigenous
communities while resonating with industry partners and Members alike.
Our Work
To bring FMFN468’s vision to life, CMR collaborated closely with the Nation’s leadership, Members, and
business entities to ensure the report authentically reflected their priorities and achievements.
Prioritizing relationship-building and community engagement to gather data and input from Members
and ensure their voices, priorities and stories were heard. The 2022/2023 IESG Report positioned
FMFN468 as a leader in Indigenous ESG practices for its innovative approach and transparent
storytelling, establishing a benchmark for ESG reporting rooted in Indigenous values. The report not only
celebrated FMFN468’s achievements but paved the way for continued growth, partnerships, and
reconciliation. By bridging cultural values with modern economic opportunities, the report embodies
FMFN468’s commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive future for generations to come.
Deliverables
- Conducted extensive consultations with Elders, Members, youth, and service and business entities to gather insights and identify metrics that matter most to the Nation
- Incorporated Indigenous perspectives, traditional knowledge, and culture into the reporting structure
- Highlighted milestone achievements of the Nation and its Members
- Compiled and analyzed financial, social, and cultural data, highlighting achievements such as $25 million in revenue, $650,000 in education funding, and over 240 community events
- Developed benchmarks for ongoing measurement and future growth
- Created a visually engaging report shared in a variety of formats
- Supported the communications strategy and launch
View the 2022/2023 IESG Report
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