Home Clients Publications Contact M. Fortin, Consulting Economist

EDUCATION

M. A., Economics, 1978; University of Guelph              B. A., Economics, 1975; University of Guelph

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1990 to date Independent Consultant, M Fortin Associates
1984 - 1989 Senior Consultant, Ecologistics Limited
1981 - 1984 Independent Consultant
1981 Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Guelph
1978 - 1980 Economist, Grand River Basin Water Management Study, Grand River Conservation Authority
1975 - 1977 Contract Researcher, University of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment

AREAS OF WORK EXPERIENCE:   Water supply & wastewater Flooding, drainage & storm water management includng LID Watershed planning Recreational fisheries Aquatic species at risk Solid and hazardous waste Water and air quality Agriculture & erosion control District heating, solar energy Municipal asset management & financial planning Education Ecotourism

PROJECT THEMES:   Economic viability Financial sustainability Resource use efficiency/optimisation Pollution prevention/control Low carbon Ecological values Economic development Poverty/affordability

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE:  China, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, Surinam, Kyrgyz Republic, Azerbaijan, Jamaica, Bermuda, Mongolia

SKILLS:

Financial modelling and analysis—Pro forma financial models linked to physical cost and revenue drivers such as service populations and capital plans. Outputs include financial statements and performance indicators. Long term financial models developed for municipalities are used for strategic financial analysis in the context of masterplan studies and medium-term budget planning.

Economic and bio-economic modelling and analysis—Developed in collaboration with other disciplines, these models link resource use activities and values to resource management activities and ecosystem processes.

Decision analysis—Application of benefit-cost, cost effectiveness, multiple objective analysis, optimisation modelling, etc in resource management studies. 

Statistical and econometric analysis—parametric and non-parametric hypothesis testing, various regression tools  (OLS, TSLS, reduced form, probit, logit, panel data...)

Survey design and implementation—Household surveys (willingness to pay, affordability, impact assessment); key informant surveys (open and closed question survey formats in policy and program appraisals); agency scans

Sector analysisevaluations of economic sectors, policies / programs, industries and agencies based on various approaches including literature reviews, key informant interviews, media scans, analysis of historical statistical data, and pro forma modelling.