STATEMENTS FROM PATTERN ENERGY GROUP LP TO CBC NOVEMBER 27, 2018 Email from Pattern Energy Canada’s Frank Davis to CBC Dear Dave: I am writing to answer certain questions that you have asked regarding construction activities on the Henvey Inlet Wind farm. As previously noted, CER is the construction manager with responsibility for the wind farm construction site, and Henvey Inlet Wind LP (the owner of the project) is a joint venture partnership between Henvey Inlet First Nation and Pattern Development. You will find attached to this email the Industrial Operations Fire Prevention and Preparedness Plan dated May 15, 2018. Based on your questions we wanted to ensure that you had a copy of this document, which details the protocols for minimizing forest fire risk in construction areas, which CER was required to follow. This plan was prepared in consultation with the MNRF. We can advise that all fires experienced at the construction site were addressed in accordance with this Plan. As you know, Parry Sound 33 was not caused by blasting and there was no blasting or other construction in the area around where the fire is believe to have originated (turbine Pad 5). In fact, there were no fires prior to the start of Parry Sound 33 that were caused by blasting, which was also undertaken in accordance with the Plan. I understand that you have asked why an argo vehicle was in the area of at the time of the fire. A small work crew travelled to Pad 5 in an argo as part of environmental-related preconstruction activities. There is no road access to this area and an argo is the only practical means of accessing the area. The crew’s role was to hang bird tape prior to construction equipment entering the area. This was done to protect the bird population in accordance with wildlife management practises and is consistent with the environmental assessment and environmental permits for the project, as required by the project’s Environmental Commissioner. More specifically, the bird tape is intended to deter birds from nesting in the area prior to construction activities commencing. The ongoing investigation of Parry Sound 33 prevents a more complete dialogue at this time, but we hope that the above addresses some of your inquiries. Yours truly, Frank Davis NOVEMBER 20, 2018 EMAIL from Pattern Energy Canada’s Frank Davis to CBC Hi Dave, Thanks for your questions. I have included a statement below for your use. As background, it may be helpful to know that the Henvey Inlet Wind project is a first-of-itskind partnership between Nigig Power Corporation (a subsidiary of Henvey Inlet First Nation) and Pattern Development Canada. The project is an initiative of the First Nation that was started over eight years ago. It is the largest First Nation wind energy project in Canada and the first significant renewable resource project ever developed by a First Nation in accordance with the First Nations Land Management Act. Pattern Development Canada was invited into the project by Henvey Inlet First Nation in late 2014, with the formation of Henvey Inlet Wind LP. The Henvey Inlet Wind project will commence its 20-year operating phase next year and will provide community benefits to Henvey Inlet First Nation, Shawanaga First Nation, Magnetawan First Nation and their neighbouring communities for the life of the project. The project will have a significant impact on the broader local economy and is already bringing over 800 jobs to the Georgian Bay area during peak construction. Regards, Frank STATEMENT FROM HENVEY INLET WIND LP: Henvey Inlet Wind LP continues to play an active role in supporting our neighbouring community as we move on from the effects of the Parry Sound 33 fire, including by making a team and other resources available to help our neighbours and assist in clean-up efforts. Construction activities of this nature are permitted to proceed across Ontario in accordance with protocols established by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), including those related to forest fire prevention. As a responsible project developer, we require our construction contractors to adhere to these protocols. At no time this summer did MNRF issue a stop-work order in response to the dry conditions. In addition, the independent Environmental Commissioner, appointed in accordance with the First Nations Land Management Act, ensures that construction work on the First Nations Reserve is compliant with the Environmental Stewardship Regime and the applicable federal species protection regulations. While the origin of the fire is still being investigated by the MNRF, our on-site contractors have been clear that no blasting or drilling was taking place in the area at the time of the start of the fire. Any statement to the contrary is false. Frank Davis Canada Country Head and Senior Counsel NOVEMBER 14, 2018 CBC Email to Pattern Energy’s Frank Davis (Toronto), Matt Dallas (Pattern’s communication consultant) Frank and Matt, I'm still holding out hope you might agree to an interview, as the best way to communicate to Canadians the role Pattern is taking in the aftermath of Parry Sound 33. Think about it. In the alternative, here are some questions I'm hoping you can respond to in writing no later than next Wednesday November 7th. 1. What is your understanding of the cause of Parry Sound 33? 2. How many smaller fires did work crews extinguish in the weeks prior to the big fire (June 15 - July 18)? 3. How many were reported to MNRF? 4. Why did construction in the bush in mid July continue (including operation of off-road work vehicles, blasting, heavy equipment, rock and forest clearing) despite the region-wide fire bans, extreme fire hazard conditions and the daily "Fire Intensity Codes" issued by Ontario's MNRF which indicated "Very High Hazard Level" for industry in the bush? 5. CBC News has obtained videos of blasting activities at the HIW construction site where large quantities of rock and shrapnel are seen flying in the sky, lakes and ricocheting through the forest. Three different industry experts who have reviewed these videos for us indicate the debris from the explosions is evidence of blasting without sufficient rubber blasting mats. Why was blasting allowed without sufficient mats at the HIW site? 6. How is blasting in this manner consistent with the environmental mitigation but in place to minimize impact on local wildlife and endangered species? 7. How many of the fires prior to PS 33 are attributable to blasting at the site? 8. How many of the fires prior to PS 33 are attributed to other construction activities (including sparks from operation of heavy machinery on the rocks)? 9. CBC News has conducted an interview with a former employee of Gervais Forestry (subcontractor to CER / Pattern) who says he believes the HIW work site should have been shut down given the numerous fires caused by construction and the extreme conditions. He also says he was threatened by his employer (Gervais), warned of potential lawsuits from Pattern, and was ultimately dismissed for expressing on Twitter that crews were taking unreasonable and unsafe risks at the site given the fire hazard. What role did Pattern have in the dismissal of Wayne Hollis from Gervais Forestry? 10. What is Pattern's response to claims by Hollis he was fired for speaking out about the cause of Parry Sound 33 (something Pattern, in a public statement, encouraged of employee witnesses with information about the causes)? 11. What responsibility does Pattern have to compensate Ontario tax payers for the millions of dollars spent suppressing this fire which destroyed nearly 12, 000 hectares of land on both Henvey Inlet FN and French River provincial park? If you are interested in answering these questions in an on camera interview, please be in touch ASAP to arrange. Otherwise, I'd ask for a written reply no later than 5 PM Wednesday November 21. Happy to chat to clarify or discuss. Thanks. DS AUGUST 20, 2018 Pattern Energy’s Matt Dallas email to CBC: Hi Dave – Thanks for your email. We have worked to answer your questions and have provided a response below. As you know, on site construction work for this project is the responsibility of CER and PowerTel. You may wish to contact them if you have additional questions. We remain concerned by the effects of the devastating wildfires on our community and we continue to provide support to our neighbours at every possible opportunity. If you are aware of anyone in need of assistance, please let us know and we would be happy to help. All the best – Matt >>>> "As the co-owner of the project, along with Henvey Inlet First Nation, we require our contractors responsible for the construction work onsite - CER and PowerTel - to adhere to the strictest possible safety guidelines. These guidelines are prescribed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) through their Industrial Operations Protocol. We require our contractors to only undertake construction activities that are permitted, in given fire risk conditions, under this Protocol. While the cause of the fire is still being determined, our contractors have confirmed that there was no blasting or drilling taking place in the area at the time of the fire. We have still not seen any direct evidence of a link between this fire and project construction activities. In the days and weeks ahead, we will work closely with MNRF as local workers begin to return to their jobs on the site. We have asked the MNRF to provide input on the types of construction activities CER will be starting, and out of an abundance of caution, we have required CER to voluntarily put in place enhanced fire-prevention measures. These measures include soaking down work areas, extended fire watches and increased access to fire suppression equipment. We continue to take every opportunity to provide support to our neighbours in rebuilding our community. This includes working with the Municipality of Killarney to make a team available to assist in clean-up efforts, providing accommodations to anyone in need, sending local children to summer camps, and delivering gift cards for families needing to restock their kitchens." - Frank Davis, Country Head (Canada), Pattern Development AUGUST 15, 2018 Email questions from CBC to Pattern Energy Group Matt and Frank, I'm following up in hopes of trying to better understand what fire prevention strategies were in place at the HIW site prior to July 18, 2018. You indicated that MNRF reviewed your Fire Prevention and Preparedness plan, and was consulted on its development. I have a few questions: 1) When did MNRF review the plan? 2) Could CBC see a copy of the fire prevention plan for the HIW project? 3) How many smaller fires were extinguished by HIW contractors at the site in the weeks prior to July 18, 2018? 4) What were the dates of those fires? 5) What caused each of them? 6) Were each of them reported to MNRF? If not, why not? 7) How was it that blasting and drilling of rock by HIW contractors (ConSpec) continued at the site during the extreme fire hazard conditions in the weeks prior to July 18, 2018? (How was this allowed under your Fire Prevention and Preparedness Plans) 8) Who was responsible for determining whether blasting and drilling activity could safely proceed at the HIW site during the weeks of extreme fire hazard condition prior to July 18th? (Pattern Development? NIGIG? C.E.R.? Conspec? ) 9) What steps were taken at the HIW site to mitigate the risks of drilling and blasting during the extreme fire hazard conditions prior to July 18, 2018? 10) What was the 'human' cause of forest fire Parry Sound 007 on May 17, 2018? I appreciate these questions may require some time. I'm hoping you could supply a response by end of day Friday? Happy to chat further if you need any clarification. My thanks in advance. DS JULY 26, 2018 4:27 PM Email from Pattern Energy to CBC Hi Dave, Here are our responses to your questions. Thanks, Matt First, can you help me better understand the corporate structures overseeing both the construction/development of this project ... but also its longterm ownership and stewardship? (i.e How does Pattern Energy fit in to Henvey Inlet Wind and NGIG Power Corp?) The Henvey Inlet Wind Project is an initiative of Henvey Inlet First Nation, through its corporation Nigig Power Corporation. Nigig has been developing the project since 2010. In 2014, Nigig invited Pattern Development into a partnership to complete development and construction of the Project, which is currently owned by Pattern Development and Nigig in a 50/50 joint venture. This joint venture partnership hired C.E.R., a Quebec partnership, to construct the wind farm in late 2017. Once in operations, the Project will continue to be owned by the Nigig / Pattern Development joint venture. What insurance coverage does Pattern Energy hold for emergencies such as forest fires covering this development? (Who is the insurer?) The joint venture and C.E.R. hold insurance customary for their activities. We are not prepared to disclose the details of our policies at this time. What more can you tell us about your best understanding of what caused this fire appreciating there's an ongoing investigation? (I appreciate there's been no cause determined by the investigating authority - but surely you know what your contractors have reported to you). We do not wish to contribute to rumors and speculation, though an internal review leads us to believe that none of the rumored causes seem plausible. We were operating within MNRF guidelines and protocols, and all of our contractors have a fire prevention plan integrated into their health and safety plans. The MNRF has stated the cause is not yet known and are conducting an investigation. We, like all neighbors to this fire, are anticipating the outcome. 11:29 AM Email from CBC to Pattern Energy Matt and Frank, While the forest fire at Henvey Inlet remains an emergency, you and your company are no doubt beginning to contemplate potential liabilities should investigators determine this fire was caused by work crews. I have a few questions which i hope you will answer. 1. First, can you help me better understand the corporate structures overseeing both the construction/development of this project ... but also its long term ownership and stewardship? (i.e How does Pattern Energy fit in to Henvey Inlet Wind and NGIG Power Corp?) 2. What insurance coverage does Pattern Energy hold for emergencies such as forest fires covering this development? (Who is the insurer?) 3. What more can you tell us about your best understanding of what caused this fire appreciating there's an ongoing investigation? (I appreciate there's been no cause determined by the investigating authority - but surely you know what your contractors have reported to you). Hoping you can supply an answer to these questions by end of day today. Thanks, DS JULY 24, 2018 Email from CBC to Pattern Energy Frank and Matt, I want to thank you both for moving quickly to supply a response to CBC yesterday on short deadline. I appreciate you have more immediate concerns today. But I'd like to keep our channel of communication open in future should there be need of updates, clarifications, etc. Just offering should the need arise as CBC will continue to cover both this fire, but the investigation into it. Thanks, DS JULY 23, 2018 Email from Pattern Energy to CBC Hi Dave, Thank you for the questions. Here’s our best attempt to address them with the info we have right now. At this point in time, our primary concern is the health and safety of local residents and workers and the containment of the fire. We are working closely with emergency responders and the MNRF, and have offered housing for evacuees and resources to assist with evacuation, including helicopters. The cause of the fire is not known, despite rumors and speculation. Pattern Development and the construction contractor, CER, are offering our full assistance with the MNRF as they conduct their investigation. The project site is currently shutdown. Prior to the fire we were maintaining a normal construction schedule. We follow MNRF protocol and refer to their fire rating on a daily basis, which dictates what activities we undertake. We have multiple safety and fire prevention measures in place, including equipment placed strategically in the project area to combat fires. Our fire prevention program is based on MNRF guidelines and protocols, and all of our contractors have a fire prevention plan integrated into their health and safety plans. MNRF reviewed the plan and was consulted during development of the measures in the plan. Best regards, Matt Dallas Pattern Energy JULY 23, 2018 5:56 PM email from CBC to Pattern Energy Thanks. Received. Helpful. You've been responsive to many of my questions (and I appreciate you are in the midst of an emergency.). Is there any more detail you could provide regarding these questions which were not addressed: 5. How many small fires were started at the construction side in the past three weeks stemming from construction activity? 7. What do you say to assertions by workers at the scene that a piece of equipment (an Argo) was left disabled in the bush, and that this is what started the fire? 8. Who left the equipment in the bush? (A Pattern employee - or a subcontractor of what company?) I am continuing to follow this, with plans to prepare a story for Tuesday AM. I'll need to hear from you no later than 8 pm to include any response in tomorrow's story - but know CBC is always open to doing a follow up story to add any additional context or reply. Thanks, DS 4:42 email from Pattern Energy to CBC Hi Dave, Thank you for the questions. Here’s our best attempt to address them with the info we have right now. At this point in time, our primary concern is the health and safety of local residents and workers and the containment of the fire. We are working closely with emergency responders and the MNRF, and have offered housing for evacuees and resources to assist with evacuation, including helicopters. The cause of the fire is not known, despite rumors and speculation. Pattern Development and the construction contractor, CER, are offering our full assistance with the MNRF as they conduct their investigation. The project site is currently shutdown. Prior to the fire we were maintaining a normal construction schedule. We follow MNRF protocol and refer to their fire rating on a daily basis, which dictates what activities we undertake. We have multiple safety and fire prevention measures in place, including equipment placed strategically in the project area to combat fires. Our fire prevention program is based on MNRF guidelines and protocols, and all of our contractors have a fire prevention plan integrated into their health and safety plans. MNRF reviewed the plan and was consulted during development of the measures in the plan. Best regards, Matt 1:32 PM email from CBC to Pattern Energy Frank, Somehow our emails crossed. Thank you for the {below} statement. Please confirm you received my list of questions. Thanks, 12:53 email from CBC to Pattern Energy Frank and Pattern team, As I await the statement your team is preparing, I need to move forward with my own inquiries as I'm on a tight deadline. I am hoping you can provide specific responses to the following: 1. To the best of your understanding - what caused this fire? 2. Was construction on the Henvey Inlet wind project operating 7 days a week? 3. What consideration and mitigating steps did Pattern Energy (and its contractors) give to the extreme fire hazard conditions in the region? 4. What fire suppression equipment and protocols were in place in the event that construction sparked fires? 5. How many small fires were started at the construction side in the past three weeks stemming from construction activity? 6. What do you say to the Ministry of Natural Resources’ initial characterization of this fire as having been 'human caused'? 7. What do you say to assertions by workers at the scene that a piece of equipment (an Argo) was left disabled in the bush, and that this is what started the fire? 8. Who left the equipment in the bush? (A Pattern employee - or a subcontractor of what company?) 9. What is Pattern Energy doing to assist in the investigation of this fire? 10. What responsibility does Pattern have for the damages and displacement being caused by this out of control fire that is consuming a large stretch of Henvey Inlet territory as wel as the adjacent French River Provincial Park? Please confirm receipt. My deadline for answers to these questions is 4:30 PM. 12:43 email from Pattern Energy’s Frank Davis to CBC Pattern Development is anguished over the devastating wildfires affecting the areas around the Henvey Inlet Wind project. As wind project partners with Henvey Inlet First Nation, we are deeply concerned with the effect of these fires on the local communities and are committed to helping in any way we can. Our primary concern is the health and safety of local residents, the public, and the workers. Pattern Development and the construction contractor, CER, are in full support of emergency responders and the MNRF and are offering resources to assist, including heavy equipment and helicopters. We are working with Henvey Inlet First Nation and other public agencies to assist in evacuations and provide temporary housing to those displaced. We stand ready to provide additional resources to the local authorities and help our neighbors. The direct cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Pattern Development and CER are cooperating with the investigation into the cause, which is being led by the MNRF. Regardless of the cause, we are committed to assisting the communities affected.