People Spotlight

Going north with Technical Leader, Dan Coombs

From the forests of Northern Ontario to communities across the territories, Dan Coombs, Technical Leader in the Northern Region, has built a life shaped by the outdoors, strong relationships and a deep connection to the places he’s lived and worked in.

That connection began on his family farm outside of Sault Ste. Marie, ON where he spent time exploring the woods and waters of Northern Ontario with friends and family. He learned young to enjoy the benefits of the natural world and that there must be a deep sense of responsibility to care of it. Those early moments helped form his perspectives and stayed with him.

“I carry these lessons with me. I remain grateful for the experiences and skills shared by others, both growing up and throughout my adult life,” shares Dan.

Those lessons also guided his career.

Over the years, Dan has focused on the intersection of resource development, emergency management, land use planning and public interest. He has lived in small northern communities across the country, working in collaborative roles to balance environmental protection, sustainable economic development and evolving social priorities.

Joining the CER from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, he recognized the strong parallels between them. Both had responsibility for enforcing critical safety regulations. Both had a deep commitment to working closely with the public, stakeholders and Indigenous groups. The opportunity to ensure CER processes reflected the needs and rights of people in the North drew Dan to the role even more.

“The regulatory framework in the Territories was developed in the spirit of co-management under modern land claim agreements. My job is to support meaningful engagement that reflects the needs of Northerners, to learn from them and to build trust in the CER as a lifecycle regulator.”

It’s a big job that Dan takes seriously, especially with a renewed focus on Arctic security and development.

Having lived in Yellowknife since 2019, Dan values the vibrancy of the community. Despite its small size compared to other major centres in Canada, Yellowknife is considered the “big city” of the North, offering tons of food options, culture and amenities.

When he’s not working, Dan enjoys getting outside. You will find him exploring with his fiancée Jacqui and their dog Cedar, hiking, camping, hunting, foraging, or playing in the different sports leagues in town. An avid fisherman, Dan appreciates access to some of the best pike and lake trout in Canada.

“Nothing recharges the soul like cruising Great Slave Lake when it is glass-calm under the midnight sun.”

There’s also a few things that might surprise you about the CER’s man in the North. He enjoys cooking and runs a small side business that sells “wild” products. He even hosts fish-fry pop-ups in the summer. If you happen to be browsing a small shop from the Yukon to Ontario, you might even be lucky enough to score a bag of fry batter, created in the NWT by Dan himself.