Case Studies

Identify federal and provincial regulatory pathways to (i) discredit the purported “needs” basis for increasing ethane supplies in Alberta and (ii) frustrate third-party activities aimed at developing new National Energy Board (NEB) or Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB)–regulated ethane extraction facilities.

IMC’s gas and NGL experts began by addressing key issues associated with the EEP: (a) the Alberta petrochemical industry’s contention that there was a “need” for new ethane; (b) the desire to remove ethane from the Alliance Pipeline in Alberta; and (c) the facility application requirements related to potential new ethane extraction projects. The team reviewed applicable provisions of the National Energy Board Act, Alberta’s energy regulations, and relevant regulatory decisions—particularly the NEB’s certification of the Alliance Pipeline and subsequent NEB and EUB rulings related to the proliferation of ethane extraction facilities in Alberta. The review analyzed authorizations for exporting rich gas for liquids extraction in the United States, provincial straddle plants, and other ethane extraction facilities. Regulatory procedural mechanisms, including reviews, re-hearings, information requests, and complaint filings, were catalogued to identify available regulatory levers.

The analysis produced a client-ready roadmap of regulatory and related options across both federal and provincial jurisdictions. It set out a range of short-term and ongoing proactive and reactive actions to defend against improper governmental and regulatory incentives for increasing ethane supplies, detailing when and how to engage with each body. It also established a monitoring plan for regulatory filings to gain additional insights into competitor activities and potential policy changes. Finally, it outlined a number of regulatory and commercial means that could frustrate competitors, including through regulatory reviews, complaints, and deep engagement in review processes.

Assess Alberta’s electricity pricing outlook for a planned industrial project. Understand how market fundamentals, fuel costs, and policy conditions may shape long-term power exposure and investment planning.

IMC reviewed provincial and regional energy forecasts, drawing on data from utilities, industry research, and internal modelling. A 250-megawatt combined-cycle gas scenario was developed to test indicative pool prices under varying gas cost assumptions. The analysis examined transmission constraints, intertie capacity with neighbouring regions, and the potential role of cogeneration in offsetting purchased power. Sensitivities were evaluated to capture the impact of fuel price movement and regulatory change on overall market dynamics.

The study provided the client with a clear understanding of Alberta’s electricity market fundamentals, supporting more confident project planning and investment decisions.

Enable the acquisition and restart of a bankrupt Canadian paper mill by supporting efforts to secure a labour agreement aligned with the new business plan and financing conditions.

IMC supported and participated in negotiations between an investment company and four local unions representing the mill’s employees. The resulting agreement addressed wages, pensions, severance, and job flexibility, while introducing new governance rights for employees as shareholders. It also aligned workforce structure with operational targets and cleared a critical path for closing the transaction.

The labour agreement secured workforce stability, unlocked the acquisition, and enabled a successful restart under new ownership, creating a durable foundation for day-to-day operations and future investment.

Stabilize a Canadian paper mill by executing a whole-of-business restructuring, including finance, operations, labour, and key inputs, while securing long-term Crown timber supply.

IMC worked on-site during the initial receivership period as the Vice President and provided embedded leadership through the restructuring. We supported the purchase of core assets out of bankruptcy and built a refinancing plan with one key lender. The restructuring included cost reduction in major vendor accounts, including power and natural gas. We negotiated long-term Crown conifer supply and conditional hardwood access and set up cross-border transload operations to lower transportation costs and provide for new fibre sources. IMC also advanced investment in a new wastewater treatment system to meet environmental requirements and operating needs, supported a new labour deal, and led pension plan restructuring to support long-term viability.

The mill’s refinancing proceeded, and the company had strong financial results.

Enable the development of a newsprint mill in Northern Mexico by changing the water laws to allow for a practical and financially viable water supply and permitting path.

IMC partnered with engineering, technical and local regulatory support to evaluate and stress-test groundwater, surface water, and reclaimed wastewater options against regulatory, environmental, and infrastructure realities. In doing so, we uncovered critical water-supply problems that would have constrained the project under the existing framework. IMC then led high-level government engagement, lobbying municipal, state and federal officials, including a face-to-face meeting with the President of Mexico, to secure the policy and legal changes. We mapped the regulatory, commercial, and delivery implications of each utility's model (including potential public-private roles in municipal treatment assets) to guide client decision-making.

IMC successfully secured changes to federal water law and clarified the permitting routes required for a bankable water strategy. The process aligned federal, state, and municipal stakeholders and provided a clear, actionable plan to advance the project.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada imposed travel restrictions, but there was no universal agreement on identifying "essential" workers, and provinces had their own admission rules regarding who could enter the province, and under what rules. IMC's client in the industrial gas production sector had required “turnarounds” requiring specialized personnel from the United States. The product was crucial for the oil and gas and transportation sectors. IMC was asked to “fix the problem” and find a way to bring these personnel across the border.

During the onset period of the pandemic, Alberta Public Health officials focused on safeguarding the well-being of citizens, which presented the challenge of remote work and quarantine procedures and made officials difficult to reach. Given the circumstances, IMC found the relevant decision makers within the Alberta public health system to work through the problem. However, there was no existing framework and it had to be developed from scratch.

Once the client’s workers were classified as "essential," plans were made for their safe entry into Alberta from the United States and their return home. Accommodations and transportation were arranged with minimal contact with locals, and food delivery plans were made. IMC coordinated with a hotel to develop detailed safety protocols including masking, cleaning, and illness management. The plan was fully packaged with all details and approved by Alberta Public Health officials. IMC assisted with the ongoing execution including coordinating various steps such as conducting COVID testing and provide accurate information to Alberta Public Health regarding their presence, health status, and travel details.

During the pandemic's early stages, with no established protocols, public safety was prioritized while affecting the ability for crucial Canadian businesses to continue to function. IMC's proactive approach involved communication with government officials, raising awareness about safety compliance and the economic consequences of operational disruptions.

IMC was able to safely transport its client’s workers from the US to Alberta and back. Additionally, IMC was also successful in identifying and facilitating the entry of essential workers into Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Consequently, IMC successfully enabled the client to continue operating throughout the pandemic while adhering to public health regulations. Overall, IMC facilitated the movement of approximately 80 employees across the border.

A provincial government’s infrastructure department was investigating an expansion to a hydropower facility to increase generation capacity, along with associated transmission, investments to interconnect various grids, and mining developments in the region. To evaluate the business case for the project, the department sought an assessment of the potential power demand from existing and new mining projects within the region and adjacent regions.

IMC assessed the power demand from proposed projects and operational mines connected to the hydropower facility. IMC also estimated construction timelines and evaluated mine life extensions. Finally, taking into consideration pricing context, IMC forecasted three total demand scenarios assuming project and mine extensions proceeded.

IMC was able to identify from the demand forecast scenarios the necessary commercial conditions that must be satisfied in order for the power facility expansion to be considered attractive for critical minerals mines and other potential partners.

While the demand for pea protein grows, finding sufficient high-value applications for the associated pea starch has been a challenge for the industry. IMC was hired to identify opportunities to increase the demand for Canadian pea starch in industrial applications.

After initial research into a broader set of opportunities, IMC identified four sectors with the most promising potential applications: paper and packaging, oil and gas drilling, bioplastics and mineral processing. For each sector, IMC had deep experts with both technical knowledge and business acumen, who evaluated the necessary product function and specifications, the competitive environment, and the research and business development efforts required. IMC’s experts ranked the opportunities based on functional advantage, R&D complexity, processing investment required, and current customer interest.

IMC’s anlysis has provided the Canadian pea industry with a deeply researched ranking of the most promising industrial applications for pea starch, along with the key technical and commercial actions required to sell into those markets.