Portfolio

NIVA was contracted to develop an information guide to help the Canadian Coast Guard explain Canada’s ship-source oil spills preparedness and response regime. It was also designed to build confidence among affected populations that the Government of Canada is committed to protecting Canadian waters and communities from these incidents and has the capacity to respond effectively. The guide was developed using plain language principles and was targeted at the public in coastal and Indigenous communities most affected by marine traffic, as well as other marine stakeholders. We also produced a series of Canadian Coast Guard Indigenous Bulletins, which provided information on key topics regarding marine and environmental safety. In addition, NIVA was asked to develop several infographics to help clearly communicate important information about the Canadian Coast Guard to a public audience through their social media channels.

.

In addition, NIVA was asked to develop several infographics to help clearly communicate important information about the Canadian Coast Guard to a public audience through their social media channels:

Click here to download

Click here to download

Click here to download

Click here to download

Click here to download

The Environmental Protection Branch of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) recently hired NIVA to develop a comprehensive communication strategy and plan for their air quality program. The main purpose of this exercise was to help them better communicate about the state of air quality in Canada, and about the work that the federal government is doing to improve air quality and protect the health of Canadians. This document provides the strategic and tactical direction to enable the Department to implement a new model for digital communications, while building a greater capacity to effectively engage, inform, and motivate their target audiences.

In a phased approach, NIVA led a number of activities to provide a foundation for the core strategy document. This includes the following elements:

• A communications planning workshop was held to obtain insight from air quality stakeholders representing all relevant federal government departments related to challenges, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, key messages, lessons learned, etc.
• An internal environmental scan was conducted to assess communication activities underway within the federal government that have a focus on air quality, and the communications environment in which these activities are performed. An full inventory of air quality-related websites housed by the federal government was also completed.
• An external environmental scan was conducted to review best practices in air quality communication carried out by provincial/territorial governments in Canada and selected international jurisdictions.
• A case study on a successful federal government air quality communication and engagement initiative was developed to gain insight on methods that have proven to be successful in the past, and to inform part of the way forward in developing this communication strategy.
• A search term trend analysis was conducted to gain insight into the types of internet searches that Canadians are conducting in relation to air quality, how these searches are influenced by interest in other related topics or during important air quality related events (e.g., wildfires), and how much of this search traffic is getting directed to associated ECCC web pages.
• A perception analysis was carried out using public information requests received by ECCC related to air quality as well as the results of relevant public opinion research (POR).

For three years, NIVA edited and proofread dozens of regulatory guides and standards issued by CNSC. The documents edited were of two types: regulatory standards and regulatory guides. NIVA’s work included:

• researching and interpreting technical material to be expressed in plain language
• conducting consultations with client personnel including interviews with research scientists, and other subject-matter experts
• transforming difficult and complex health research concepts and methodologies into understandable forms

These documents described CNSC’s regulatory requirements as well as imposing obligations on the regulated party once referenced in a license or other legally enforceable instrument. The guides outline acceptable ways of meeting CNSC requirements as expressed in the applicable act, Regulations, regulatory standard, or other legally enforceable instrument.

These guides were designed to provide guidance to licensees and other stakeholders.  The documents were written by scientists and had to be edited to conform to plain-language principles, enabling regulated parties to understand their responsibilities in complying with regulations governing radioactive materials in Canada.

NAV CANADA produces aeronautical information products used by pilots operating in Canadian airspace. As one of their primary products, they are required to produce an Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) that is compliant with the standards published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This includes critical navigation warnings and information on potential dangers/hazards that pilots need to be aware of.

For the past 12 years, NIVA has been mandated with maintaining this publication for NAV CANADA on a 56-day refresh cycle. This maintenance consists of a combination of editorial work, formatting, quality assurance, and production of files for publication. We also assist them with content development for other important aviation-related documents.

NIVA Inc. is now the exclusive service provider responsible for reviewing, editing, and publishing all scientific publications produced by NATO’s Science and Technology Organization (STO). Our work includes establishing language and stylistic standards, ensuring that the content of documents is expressed in a clear manner and free of grammar and stylistic errors, interacting with document authors to solve content issues, formatting documents according to templates we have established, as well as other key publishing activities.

We conducted an in-depth review of risk communication and consultation models being used by regulatory departments and agencies, and developed recommendations aimed at achieving a more integrated, efficient, and open approach. This examination covered the tools and methods employed by four regulatory departments and agencies (Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada, Health Canada).

Our analysis assessed how these departments interact with other groups when preparing communication strategies and materials, the success of any collaborative efforts undertaken, and challenges identified in the ongoing process of risk communication and consultation.

Portage Power (previously Energy Ottawa) is a subsidiary of Hydro Ottawa. They are the largest municipally-owned producer of green power in the province of Ontario with a generation capacity of 128 megawatts.  NIVA was responsible for developing Portage Power’s new emergency management plan for their Chaudière Falls hydroelectric facilities which includes the Ottawa River Ring Dam. This project included the provision of primary research, document architecture, interviews with personnel, synthesis of existing material, writing, and graphic design. The plan’s timely completion allowed it to be successfully implemented during 2019’s spring flooding situation along the Ottawa River.

Genome Canada is a not-for-profit organization, funded by the Government of Canada. They act as a catalyst for developing and applying genomics and genomic-based technologies in several sectors to create economic and social benefits for Canadians. Senior decision makers and the public required information tools that presented this complex information in a clear and simple manner. NIVA was brought in to apply plain language approaches to achieve these goals. This included fact sheets that showcase how genomics has been applied to each sector, and the potential opportunities for future impact.

Click to download:

• Fact Sheet 1 (Agri-Food)
• Fact Sheet 2 (Energy and Mining)
• Fact Sheet 3 (Fisheries and Aquaculture)
• Fact Sheet 4 (Forestry)

Click here to download report

NIVA recently developed this comprehensive report for the Government of Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The Atlantic Ocean is changing, and the important content of this document will help to shed light on what’s happening above and below the surface – clearly informing Canadians about complex issues while helping to guide decision making for related policies and programs.

Our mandate for the project was comprehensive and included plain language writing and editing, design and layout, data visualization, and illustrations. Our team worked collaboratively with DFO’s scientists, science advisors, and communications professionals to ensure a flawless final product that achieved its objective.

Along with the report itself, NIVA also developed a series of 11 shareable infographics, designed especially for use with Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s social media channels. These were created to outline key messages in an illustrated format to help the public quickly understand key information about Canada’s changing Atlantic ecosystems.

Click here to view infographics