Consultant Profile
Karen R. Wianecki, M.Pl., MCIP, RPP
Director of Practice

(Click here for CV in PDF download)

Karen Wianecki has thirty years of experience working as a project manager and program advisor with the public and private sectors. With a Masters Degree in Planning and specialized training in mediation and facilitation, Karen operates her own consulting practice based in Ajax, Ontario.

An effective communicator who has worked extensively with government and non-government organizations, special interest groups, stakeholders and non-profit organizations, Karen has designed and developed training programs, facilitated workshops and strategic planning sessions, organized and attended conferences as a Guest Speaker, written public policy, evaluated public programs and coordinated the on-time delivery of complex projects. Karen is a highly organized, energetic and motivated professional, committed to building effective partnerships. A team player, Karen has a stellar reputation for delivering on her commitments and for motivating those she has had the pleasure of working with.

"Thanks for an outstanding job and a superb product."

P. Norris
President, Ontario Waterpower Association

• Saskatchewan Environment, Multi-Party Mediation & Conflict Assessment (In Progress)
• Ministry of Natural Resources, Great Lakes Charter Annex, Environmental Scan Coordination & Facilitation of the Great Lakes Charter Annex Advisory Panel
• Ministry of Natural Resources, Lakes & Rivers Improvement Act Technical Guidelines Review
• Ministry of Natural Resources, New Waterpower Site Release and Development Review Program – Independent Evaluation and Facilitation of the Waterpower Working Group involving Government, First Nations and the Ontario Waterpower Industry.
• Ministry of Natural Resources, Program Evaluation of Ontario’s Water Resource Management Strategies & Flood Damages Update
• Ontario New Home Warranty Program, Arbitration Forum System Design
• Toronto & Region Conservation Authority, Duffins Creek & Carruthers Creek, Draft Watershed Strategy
• Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecological Land Acquisition Program Facilitation
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Program Evaluation Plan for Ontario’s Land Use Planning Program
• Ministry of the Attorney General, Dispute Resolution Office Strategic Business Priorities Facilitation
• Durham Family Court Clinic, Interim Assessment & Evaluation of the Mediation & Information Services Provided to the Superior Court of Justice (Family Division), Durham Region

"I wanted to thank you for the wonderful information session that was held…I thoroughly enjoyed the presentations, group discussions and information that was provided. I just wanted to thank you for hosting this session and to let you know what a wonderful job you did!"

"I will not forget the extent to which you worked to accommodate our needs and to work with us to deliver a quality product."

The firm was established by Karen Wianecki, M.Pl., MCIP, RPP – a planner, mediator and facilitator with over twenty years of experience in the field of planning, resource management and dispute resolution.

Planning Solutions offers a number of services, including:

• Public Consultation & Stakeholder Engagement
• Resource Management Planning
• Fact Finding & Program Evaluation
• Report Writing
• Strategic Planning
• Environmental Mediation

Clients & Partners:

Conservation Authorities:

• Credit Valley Conservation Agency
• Credit Valley Conservation Foundation
• Grand River Conservation Authority
• Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

• Ministry of the Attorney General, Dispute Resolution Office
• Ministry of Labour, Employment Standards Branch
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Ministry of Natural Resources, Aboriginal Relations Branch
• Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecological Land Acquisition Program
• Ministry of Natural Resources, Renewable Energy Section
• Ministry of Natural Resources, Water Management Section
• Ministry of Natural Resources, Forest Management Branch
• Ministry of Energy, Conservation & Strategic Policy Branch
• Ministry of the Environment, Deputy Minister’s Office
• Ministry of Environment, Environmental Assessment & Approvals Branch
• Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

• Saskatchewan Environment, Deputy Minister’s Office
• Saskatchewan Environment Forest Service
• Saskatchewan Industry & Resources
• Saskatchewan Watershed Authority

• Lac La Ronge Indian Band
• Wabun Tribal Council
• Constance Lake First Nation

• The Métis Nation of Ontario
• Nishnawbe-Aski Nation
• Office of the Chiefs of Ontario
• Walpole Island Heritage Centre
• Six Nations Reserve
• Mushkegowuk Environmental Research Centre
• Women’s Water Commission, Union of Ontario Indians
• Pic River
• Alderville First Nation
• Anishinabe – Whitefish River

• Baird Engineering
• Canadian Dam Association
• Canadian Electrical Association (CEATI)
• Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI)
• Cole Engineering
• EDA Collaborative Inc.
• Malone Given Parsons
• MOBEC Engineering
• Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA)
• Ontario Lumber Manufacturers Association (OLMA)
• Ontario Mining Association
• Ontario Waterpower Association
• R Loreto Consulting Ltd.
• Skelton Brumwell & Associates Ltd.
• Skyline International Development Inc.
• TARION (formerly the Ontario New Home Warranty Program)
• Water’s Edge Environmental Solutions Team Ltd.
• Wellings Planning Consultants Inc.

• Community Justice Alternatives of Durham Region
• Durham Family Court Clinic

For more information about the services offered by Planning Solutions Inc., and for client testimonials, please visit our website.

• Member, Canadian Institute of Planners
• Member, Ontario Professional Planners Institute
• Member, Ontario Bar Association (ADR Sector)
• Member, Ontario Waterpower Association
• Roster Mediator, National Roster – U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution
• Mediator, Native Sub-Roster – US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution