Dispute Resolution Services LP

Cynthia Vanier joined DRS-Dispute Resolution Services in August 2005 and is providing Mediation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution Services. Collectively DRS and Cynthia Vanier have developed a new market for High Risk Mediation work, serving Financial Services Sector and International Markets. This new Portfolio includes Anti-Terrorism Strategies and Negotiation, Kidnap and Ransom Negotiations, Fraud, Money Laundering and Asset Recovery.

Cynthia Vanier is a member of the ADR Institute of Canada and is a Chartered Mediator. Cynthia practices in the field of Conflict Resolution as a Mediator, Arbitrator, Fact Finder, Consultant and Trainer, and is one of 300 Canadians on the Roster of Experts registered by CANADEM
Through these companies and CANADEM, Cyndy has accomplished an extensive range of public and private sector mediation and arbitration experience in Canada, and to organizations and individuals operating in international markets
Cynthia has an international reputation for her work with The First Nations communities in Canada and the US, and is recognized for her sensitivity and skill in working with cross-cultural matters
Cynthia is committed to peaceful resolution; respectful, successful mediations; leadership in the practice generally, with particular emphasis on the management of diversity; and to developing the practice to provide services to a wider client base through affiliations and partnerships
Career experience includes business development and the design of training programs in a mediation firm; human resources and labour relations consultant; and a depth of customer relations, staff training, and arbitration with major airlines - all highly relevant to DRS

Mediation / Conflict Resolution Experience

International

Experience includes:

Fact finder in an architectural dispute concerning the Smithsonian�s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. (1998 to 2002)
Negotiator in complex multi-cultural issues and hostage taking situations in Canada, the US, Mexico, Bahamas and elsewhere
Anti-Terrorism, Fraud, and other High Risk Facilitation and Negotiations

Appointment to the Roster of Experts of CANADEM (Resource Bank for Democracy and Human Rights) is highly significant, and will lead to increasing involvement in complex international situations requiring diplomatic strategies and conflict resolution through fact finding, mediation and negotiation. CANADEM is a rapid reaction, civilian standby mechanism established by the Canadian Government to respond to requests from the United Nations and their agencies. Clients will include private organizations, Governments, and leaders of corporations involved internationally during crisis.

First Nations

Experience includes:

Residential Schools mediations in various parts of Canada (current)
Border disputes with First Nations in British Columbia and Ontario, leading to improved communication resulting in peaceful resolutions
Land claim disputes, blockade negotiations including the Upper Nicola Indian band, Merritt, BC, October 1995
Working with corporations and First Nation�s communities towards mutual understanding, such as in the power industry privatization process

Cyndy has unique, extensive experience acting as a mediator in disputes involving native North American Indians and various governmental and non-governmental entities, and trains other mediators in the field.

Corporate, Insurance, Personal Injury,and Civil Matters Mandatory Mediation Program Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor

Through the Mandatory Mediation Program in all three cities Cyndy has served as one of the original Roster Mediators mediating a variety of civil actions under rule 24.1.

Sports / Industry

Experience includes:

Retained by the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) as lead mediator and advisor in various disputes, consultant to OHF and member organizations on dispute resolution strategies
Boundary disputes, disciplinary issues (including game suspension appeals) between hockey leagues and involving players and neighboring teams
Contract negotiations and agreements between players and team representatives; insurance matters, referee matters, penalty disputes and issues involving parents, coaches and players

Cyndy has extensive experience in corporate mediations and arbitrations in insurance, commercial and insolvency matters, peer mediation in schools, health care issues and other sensitive issues (HIV related issues in the workplace). She has a strong background in a customer sensitive environment dealing with organizational conflict, employee issues such as grievances, safety and health, harassment, rehabilitation and absenteeism programs and Work Place Safety Insurance disputes.

Victim Offender / High Risk

Experience includes:

Facilitating between victim, offender, families and the courts; also includes correctional facilities. Advises on placement and treatment alternatives; works with all parties towards the maximum recovery possible for the entire family unit
Facilitation and consulting to Family members, Business and Government Agencies involving Kidnapping, Acts of Violence,both Nationally and Internationally

Governments / Public Policy

Experience includes:

egotiation, neutral fact-finding and facilitation in a number of community and public policy issues
Design and implementation of dispute processes for public organizations, with emphasis on strategies to manage conflict in multi-cultural settings
Designed the "Stop the Madness" program for schools - a youth conflict resolution process for teachers and students

Organizational Conflict

Cyndy has facilitated numerous organizational disputes involving employee relations, senior management issues and negotiation issues within unionized and non -unionized environments. She has implemented grievance processes to enable organizations to self manage issues in a proactive cost effective manner leading to improved productivity and harmony within the most competitive of environments both nationally and internationally.

Stakeholder Facilitation and Community Consultation Process

As a consultant for Portage, Program for Drug Dependencies Inc. 2001 �Present. Facilitation of Stakeholders to explore feasibility and implementation of Adult Programs in the Province of Ontario in collaboration with Ministry of Health, Ministry of Community and Social Services, Regional Stakeholders and the Public at large. The purpose of the program is to provide comprehensive adult programming which will enable marginalized at risk adults to recover successfully and return to gainful employment through support mechanisms and opportunities available through local business and corporations through job creation. Cross cultural issues within the community through a needs assessment and fact finding has continued to be the corner stone of the success in moving this undertaking to the proposal stage which is currently before multiple stakeholders. These programs are being considered province wide and already exist for adolescents in Elora Ontario.

Affiliations and Professional Involvements

Roster of Experts: CANADEM; Department of Foreign Affairs
Chartered Mediator (C.Med.) - designation from Arbitration & Mediation Institute of Canada
AMIC - Arbitration and Mediation Institute of Canada
Ontario Mandatory Mediation Program - Toronto / Ottawa
SCRO - Society for Conflict Resolution in Ontario
SPIDR - Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution
Walkerton Water Compensation Plan - Member of Roster
Faculty member - Certificate Program in Dispute Resolution, University of Toronto
SHIP (Supportive Housing in Peel) Foundation - Board member
Community Research Initiative of Toronto (Board member 1996-1998)
Member of the Mississauga Board of Trade (1992-1996) and chair Human Resources Committee (1996)
DRE (Dispute Resolution Educator) Atkinson College York University, 2004 to Present
York University Dispute Resolution Program Faculty Member
York University Dispute Resolution Program Continuing Education Atkinson College - The Practice of Mediation

Conferences and Publications

"Causes of Conflict" - publication and conference - Pacific Business & Law Institute, Vancouver (October 1995)

"WCB Mediation, Rights Based vs. Interest Based" - Workers Compensation Board Mediation Skills Training (December 1995)

"Using Direct Action to Resolve Conflict" - Making Peace and Sharing Power, Victoria, BC (May 1996)

"Building Bridges" - Training Manual for Purolator Courier Ltd. (1996)

"Reconciliation and Healing" - ADR Strategies for Residential School Claims, Winnipeg, Manitoba (1999)

"Resolving Residential School Claims Through ADR" - The Canadian Institute; Institutional Liability Conference, Toronto (February 2002)

Phone: (416) 250-5050
E-mail: cvanier@drs4adr.com