Profile - Randy P. French

Monday, 01 June 2009 00:00

Randy French, Principal - French Planning Services Randy P. French BES MCIP RPP
Principal, French Planning Services
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Randy French is a planner and facilitator whose career has involved projects with all three levels of government in Ontario, the federal government and First Nations. He is an excellent strategic planner and facilitator with proven project management and interpersonal skills. This balance of skills and thorough knowledge of crown and private land planning and information management systems enables him to deal effectively with a wide range of issues and to facilitate public processes that promote open discussion with a wide range of participants.

Randy has extensive experience with shoreline management, natural heritage, resource and information management. He is currently involved with the development of a Lake Planning process to prepare community action plans that considers and protects the special character and features of lakes across southern Ontario. His past experience has involved the implementation of Shoreline Management Plans on the Great Lakes, field representation with the International Joint Commission, the preparation of direction to guide shoreline development and setting carrying capacities on inland lakes.

Randy has extensive experience with projects involving water management, forest management and lake and community planning projects across southern Ontario. Randy is currently pioneering Lake Planning in Ontario, which is a ‘grass roots’ community-based process that relies on the assistance of volunteers and innovative techniques to complete specific projects within major financial restrictions. Randy has either completed or is currently managing this process for over forty lake association committees of volunteers across southern Ontario. Check out our website at www.lakeplan.com.

In the 1980’s Randy worked for the District of Muskoka and the Township of Muskoka Lakes as a municipal planner. He was responsible for providing advice to Council on development applications as well as involved in the development of Official Plans and Zoning By-laws. In the mid 1990’s, Randy led the MNR provincial team responsible for the preparation of the Provincial Policy Statement and supporting technical manuals. He has also lead and participated on numerous committees involving the delivery of municipal and resource management planning. He has also had extensive experience providing evidence at Ontario Municipal Board hearings.

As leader of the team responsible for the preparation of the 1999-2019 French-Severn Forest Management Plan he consulted with affected parties, ensured legislative requirements were met and co-ordinated the activities of the Planning Team and the Local Citizen's Committee. Randy has also designed and facilitated many workshops enabling public, professional, community and First Nations groups to resolve problems or establish and deliver common based goals.

1997 Principal - French Planning Services Inc. - In 1997,
Randy incorporated an independent Canadian company called French Planning Services Inc. This company provides a full range of planning services from environmental inventories to impact assessments, group facilitation and resource and municipal planning. Recent projects and workshops include preparation of Municipal Resource Information Packages, Lake Plans, First Nation consultation, and the facilitation of workshops on Natural Heritage Areas and Features, Water, Shoreline Protection, Natural Heritage, Living with Lakes and Environmental Action Plans.

1997-1998 Team Leader - French-Severn Forest Management Plan - MNR -
Randy lead the Parry Sound District Forest Management Planning Team and the Local Citizen's Committee in preparation of the French-Severn Forest Management Plan. Leading this project required dealing with tight time frames, changing manpower, new government direction and protocols, as well as conducting a public consultation process to involve and consider comments from special interest groups.

1997-1998 Provincial Municipal Advisor - MNR -
As the Provincial Municipal Advisor for the Land Use Planning Branch, Randy worked with the transition of provincial roles and responsibilities through the Municipal Planning Reform. This required membership on inter-ministerial teams responsible for the transfer of plan review responsibilities and involved the coordination of provincial training initiatives.

1992-1997 Regional Municipal Specialist - MNR -
The focus of this position was to assist the Regional Director on matters related to municipal planning. As well, Randy was involved in a number of provincial committees and initiatives related to the preparation of the Comprehensive Set of Policy Statements (1995). He lead the MNR team responsible for the preparation of the Provincial Policy Statement (1996) which provided direction on natural heritage, natural hazards and non-renewable resources and involved in the design and delivery of training programs.

1988-1992 Resource Planner - MNR -
As a Regional Planner, Randy provided advice to the Districts of Pembroke, Parry Sound and Bancroft on shoreline management, resource management planning, municipal planning, work permit approval, as well as expert advice at Ontario Municipal Board Hearings. Some of his other responsibilities included; field representation with the International Joint Commission; preparation of the draft Great Lakes Provincial Policy Statement; implementation of the Shoreline Management Planning Guidelines; and assist with the preparation of the Wetland Policy Statement (1992) and supporting Implementation Manual.

1984-1988 Township Planner - Township of Muskoka Lakes -
Randy was responsible for managing the Planning Section of the Development Services Department. He provided advice to Council on the conformity of development and policy amendments with Provincial and Official Plan policy. He also provided expert advice at Ontario Municipal Board Hearings and initiated the consolidation of five local zoning by-laws with the preparation of the first comprehensive by-law for the Township.

1981-1984 District Planner - District Municipality of Muskoka -
Randy was responsible for the District of Muskoka development approval and review functions for the Town of Huntsville and the Township of Muskoka Lakes. This required on-going planning advice to Planning Committees and Council on policy and development review matters as well as providing planning evidence at Ontario Municipal Board Hearings.

Accomplishments

Randy has either lead, facilitated or participated in the following:

Projects

Stoney Lake Wetland Evaluation, Stoney Lake (2009)
Lake Huron-Georgian Bay Charter and Framework, Environment Canada (2005-2008 ongoing)
Lake Planning Handbook for Community Groups – A Strategic Planning Guide for Shoreline Communities – Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations (2009 ongoing)
Lake Simcoe Science Advisory Committee – Lake Simcoe and its Watershed – A Report to the Minister of the Environment (2008 ongoing)
Lake Huron Coastline – A Web Based Stewardship Guideline – Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (2008 ongoing)
Lake Huron Community Action Website – www.lakehuroncommunityaction.ca – Lake Huron Steering Committee (2008 ongoing)
Georgian Bay Stewardship Guideline – Environment Canada, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (2008 ongoing)
Bridge Inventory Portal 2 – MNR (2009 ongoing)
Submission to The Panel on the Future of the Trent-Severn Waterway by The Coalition of Equitable Water Flow (CEWF) (2007)
Expert technical advice on matters related to environmental science, policy and natural systems, and their relationship to managing growth for the purposes of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe – Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Renewal (2007)
Forest Access Roads Water Crossings Planning Initiative – MNR Southern Region (2008)
Implications of the Muskoka River Water Management Plan on Mary Lake – Mary Lake Association (2008)
Planning Review and Recommendations for New Liskeard Waterfront Parklands – Friends of the Waterfront – City of New Liskeard (2007)
Bridge Inventory Portal 1 – MNR (2007)
The Naked Truth, The Science Behind Lake Simcoe’s Symptoms, Ladies of the Lake (2006)
Co-management Opportunities for First Nations, Ontario Parks, French River Provincial Park, 2004)
Co-management Opportunities for First Nations, Parry Sound MNR (2004)
Cornwall Sediment Strategy Accord, Protocol and Development Guideline, (MOE 2004)
Cornwall Contaminated Sediment Strategy; Administrative Controls – MOE (2003)
First Nation Consultation – Ontario Living Legacy (1998)
Terms of Reference - Lake Carrying Capacity Study, Eugenia Lake, County of Grey (2003)
Marl and Rosalind Development Study, Township of Brockton (2003)
Lake of Bays Water Access Points – Inventory and Analysis (2003)
Environmental Study Report, Moose Deer Point First Nation (2002)
Shoreline Environmental Studies in Support of Official Plan Policies, City of Kawartha Lakes (2002)
Hollow River Eco-Tourism Development Proposal, Municipality of Dysart (2001)
Best Management Practices and Guidelines for the Development and Review of Golf Course Proposals, prepared with Gartner Lee Ltd. for the Muskoka Golf Course Research Advisory Committee (2001)
Paudash Lake Review, Paudash Lake Association (2001)
Resource Information Packages for Official Plans, Parry Sound MNR (2000)
Crown Land Disposition - Computer Training Module, MNR (1999)
Municipal Plan Review Transfer, MNR (1997)
Provincial Policy Statement, MNR (1996)
Natural Heritage, Natural Hazards and Natural Resource Technical Manuals, MNR (1996)
Comprehensive Set of Policy Statements, MNR (1995)
Fish Habitat Guidelines for Developing Areas, MNR (1994)
Wetland Policy Implementation Guidelines, MNR (1992)
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Hazard Land Policy, MNR (1992)
Shoreline Management Plans, MNR (1990)

Lake Plans (completed and in progress)

Moon River Plan
Faraday Lake Plan
Hudson Lake Plan
Musselman’s Lake Plan
Severn River Plan
Jack’s Lake Plan
Fourteen Island Lake
Lake Huron Georgian Bay
Big Bald Lake
Raven Lake
Baptiste Lake
Mountain Lake Plan
Kushog Lake Plan
Leonard Lake Plan
Stoney Lake Plan
Kennisis Lake Plan
Mary Lake Plan
Halls and Hawk Lake Plan
Greater Bob and Crow
Muldrew Lake Plan
Paint Lake Plan
Belmont Lake Plan
Grace and Dark Lake Plan
Paudash Lake Plan
Kawagama Lake Plan
Sturgeon Bay Plan
Bella and Rebecca Lake Plan
Lake Vernon Plan
Fairy Lake Plan
Peninsula Lake Plan

Resource Management Plans

Bay of Quinte Fisheries Management Plan, MNR (2006)
Public Consultation Plan, Bay of Quinte Fisheries Management Plan, MNR (2005)
Mississippi River Water Management Plan, Mississippi Valley Conservation (2005)
Coldwater Stream Strategy, MNR Peterborough District (2003)
Forest Access Road Strategies, MNR (2002)
Muskoka River Water Management Plan (2002)
Magnetawan River Water Management Plan (2001)
French-Severn Forest Management Plan, Parry Sound MNR (1997)
Swallows Roost Management Plan, Pembroke MNR (1990)
Parry Sound and Pembroke Fish Management Plans, MNR (1988)
Parry Sound and Pembroke Timber Management Plans, MNR (1988)
Duck Mountain Provincial Park Management Plan Update (1980)

Presentations and Training

Watershed and Lake Management Planning, Saskatchewan Communities in Growth (Association of Professional Community Planners of Saskatchewan (2008)
Integrating Flood Protection into Community Plans – Saskatchewan Communities in Growth Conference (Association of Professional Community Planners of Saskatchewan (2008)
Getting Communities Engaged, Source Water Protection Forum, Ontario Rural Council (2006)
The Story of Two Charlies – Lake Planning Examples (Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority, 2005)
“Sustainable Shoreline Development – Water Quality Issues and the Lake Planning Process”, Municipal / Planning Authority Technical Workshop, Northeastern MMAH (2004)
Communicating with Cottage Associations Workshop, FOCA (2004)
Lake Planning – Peterborough County Stewardship Conference (2003)
Lake Planning – Mississippi Conservation Authority – Lake Stewards Workshop (2003)
Lake Planning – Power of Place – Ontario Professional Planners Institute (2003)
Lake Planning Presentations to Lake Associations - North Lake Joseph, Sequin Ratepayers, Paudash Lake, Canning Lake, Mary Lake, Bella Rebecca Lakes, Township of Muskoka Lakes Ratepayers, Federation of Ontario Cottagers Association (2000, 2001, 2002)
Technical Training Manuals - Natural Heritage, Natural Hazards, Non-Renewable Resources (1997)
Provincial Policy Statement Training Initiative, MNR (1996)
MMAH - Consent Granting Authority (1997)
Municipal Planning Reforms, MNR (1996)
FON Annual Conference - Municipal Planning Reforms - The Challenge (1996)
Wetland Panel - Symbiotic Relationships - North Bay, MNR (1993)
Executive Committee - Municipal Planning - MNR’s New Roles (1996)
Comprehensive Set of Policy Statements, MNR (1995)
Forest Industry Core Competency - Apples and Oranges, MNR (1994)
Work Permit Panel - Brock University - Provincial Planners Conference, MNR (1990)
Wetlands Policy Training, MNR (1992)
Central Region Planners Training, MNR (1993)
MMAH Training - Plan Review Manual, MNR (1996)
Mayors Panel - Municipal Perspectives, MNR (1988)
Northeastern Secretary Treasurers Association - MNR New Directions (1990)
Plan Input and Review and Fish Habitat - Ottawa - Fish Biologists, MNR (1989)
Floodproofing Workshop, MNR (1988)

Facilitation - Workshops and Processes

Healthy Great Lakes, Strong Ontario – Lake Ontario, Erie, Huron and Superior Meetings and Basin-Wide Workshop – Discussing and Confirming Vision, Goals and Strategies. MOE (2009)
Restoring and Protecting the Lake Superior Basin: Actions Today and Ideas for Tomorrow , Environment Canada (2009)
Biindagiin – A First Nations Teaching Circle – ECOPLANS (2008)
16 Meetings for the Lake Simcoe Science Advisory Committee – Lake Simcoe and its Watershed – A Report to the Minister of the Environment (2008)
Lake Plan Stakeholders and Residents Workshops (50) for all lakes listed above (1999-2008)
Land Management Section Self Assessment Workshop Key Commitments – Progress on LMS 2008/09 Work Plan – MNR (2008)
Lake Huron Youth Summit 2008 – Lake Huron Georgian Bay Watershed – A Canadian Framework for Community Action – Environment Canada, Ontario MOE (2008)
Lake Huron Youth Summit 2007 - Lake Huron Georgian Bay Watershed – A Canadian Framework for Community Action – Environment Canada, Ontario MOE (2007)
Designing a Ojibway Highway Landscape - Incorporating Shawanaga Culture into Highway Design landscape – ECOPLANS for Ministry of Transportation (2008)
Think Tank 1, 2 – “Developing a Lake Wide Framework for a Sustainable Lake Huron” – Environment Canada (2005, 2007)
Think Tank 3 – “Discussing Opportunities to Promote a Healthy Lake Huron” – Environment Canada (2008)
Aquatic Assessment for the Watersheds in Muskoka – MNR (2007)
New Walleye Regulations – State of the Resource (MNR 2005)
Climate Change “Changing Our Landscape- How Much Is Too Much?" ACERS – Association for Canadian Educational Resources (2005)
Natural Heritage Information Centre – Species at Risk Workshop, NHIC (2004)
Regional Information Management Strategy Workshop, Southern Region, MNR (2004)
Watershed Based Fisheries Management Planning Workshop, MNR (2004)
International Dark Skies Symposium, Muskoka Heritage Foundation (2003)
“Performance Indicator Workshop”, Muskoka Watershed Council (2002)
“Looking Forward … A Strategic Outlook”, MMA PPES Branch Retreat (2002)
Aquifer Mapping and Wellhead Protection Workshop – MOE (2001)
“Predicting where Waterfowl Breed” – a workshop to develop a research proposal for wetland habitat supply analysis, Ducks Unlimited (2001)
“Partnering in Information Sharing and Management “ MNR and Ontario Waterpower Association (2001)
Developing an Information Strategy “An Information Forum to Develop a Strategic Approach”, MNR Kemptville (2001)
Lake Plan – Residents Meeting (2001 and ongoing)
Lake Plan – Stakeholders Meeting (2001 and ongoing)
Provincial Policy Statement – 5 Year Review Workshops, MMAH (2001)
Kahshe Barrens Conservation Reserve – Open House, MNR (2001)
Natural Resource Information Forums “Information Partnering for Resource Sustainability, MNR, Kemptville (2001)
Shoreline Planning Studies – Stakeholder Meeting, City of Kawartha Lakes (2001)
Improve Functioning of the Branch, Policy and Planning Coordination Branch, MNR (2001)
Blue Sky Sessions for Township of North Kawartha and Township of Muskoka Lakes (2001)
Regional Leadership Team, Leading Southcentral Region MNR into the Future (2001)
First Nation Concerns about Ontario Living Legacy (2000, 2001)
Kawartha Highlands Stakeholders Committee (2001)
Southern Ontario Natural Heritage Strategy, MNR (2000, 2001)
Lake Of Bays “Blue Sky” Workshop, Township of Lake of Bays (2001)
MNR Public Education Strategy, MNR(2000)
Ontario Stewardship Rangers Workshop, MNR (2000)
Policy and Planning Coordination Branch Retreat, MNR (2000)
Confirming a Natural Heritage Strategy for Southcentral Region – MNR (2000)
Penlake Stakeholders Meeting – Peninsula Lake Association (2000)
"Ontario Stewardship Conference" - MNR (1999)
"Getting to Know your Team" - Service Management - MNR (1999)
"Shorelines" - A Lake Simcoe Public Meeting - MNR (1999)
"Quality Service and a Learning Organization" - MNR (1999)
"Getting to Know You" - WHDS - MNR (1999)
"Living with Lakes" Workshop - MNR (1998)
"Who are we anyway " - Staff Development and Learning Section, MNR (1998)
"Take the Lake Challenge" Workshop -Peninsula Lake Association (1998)
"HR Portfolio of the Future" - Workshop for the Provincial HR Directors MNR (1998)
Regional Planners - MNR (1997)
"Scoping our Future" - Analysis and Planning Services Workshop - MNR (1997)
"Water Quantity Management Strategy" - MNR (1997)
"Working Together" One Window Provincial Workshops - MMAH (1997)
"Getting on Track" - Northern Groups Consent Workshop - MMAH (1997)
"Erosion Hazards" Workshop - Conservation Authorities - MNR (1997)
"MNR Planning System Review " - MNR (1993)

Ontario Municipal Board Hearings

List available upon request

Past and Present Committee Memberships

Natural Heritage Committee – Co-Chair of Muskoka Heritage Foundation
Land Use Committee – Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations
WETT - Wetlands Evaluation Technical Team, MNR
WPST - Wetlands Policy Support Team, MNR
IPDC - Inter-Ministerial Policy Development Committee, MMAH
ECTS - Education, Communication, Training Support, MMAH
MPRS - Municipal Planning Reform Support Team, MNR
PST - Policy Support Team, MNR
International Joint Commission - participated as field representative
Whitewater - MNR’s downsizing initiative MNR
Fish Habitat Management Workshop, MNR

Municipal Planning Documents and Development Applications

Environmental Impact Studies for various property owners (2004 and ongoing)
Official Plan Amendments for Specific Lakes – Raven Lake, Peninsula Lake, Paint Lake and Four Mile Lake (2002 – 2008)
Township of Archipelago – Comprehensive Zoning By-law (in progress)
Municipality of Walkerton – Rosalind and Marl Inland Lake Development Plan (2003)
City of Kawartha Lakes – Shoreline Environmental Studies in Support of Official Plan Policies, prepared with Gartner Lee Ltd (2001)
Town of Huntsville and Township of Muskoka Lakes Secondary Plans
Comprehensive Zoning By-law 87-87 - Township of Muskoka Lakes
Site Plan Control By-law – Township of Muskoka Lakes
Pit and Quarry By-law under the Municipal Act, Township of Muskoka Lakes
Numerous Development Applications and OMB Hearings (Plan of Condominium, Plan of Subdivisions, Consent Applications)