VANCOUVER BC — Today, the First Nations LNG Alliance released the Report on Indigenous Procurement Opportunities for LNG, which provides recommendations on how Indigenous participation can be strengthened in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector.
The LNG sector has the potential to provide significant opportunities to enhance economic growth in Indigenous communities, and in Canada as a whole. The report comes at a time when a number of Impact Benefit Agreements (IBAs) have been reached and have been challenged to meet specified Indigenous business commitments.
Federal and provincial officials began convening in late 2015 and have agreed that an effective strategy, increased coordination among agencies and groups working in this area, as well as a targeted initiative may be required to help Indigenous businesses succeed.
To help achieve this, the findings in the report identify a range of supports, including capacity-building, access to financing, legal and business advice, and technical requirements and certifications, to help Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses access LNG-related opportunities.
The full version of the Report on Indigenous Procurement Opportunities for LNG can be found on the First Nations LNG Alliance website at https://www.fnlngalliance.com/reports/
The report was initiated and funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Natural Resources Canada’s Indigenous Partnerships Office – West.
Quotes:
“This report shows that while we have come a long way to help First Nations realize opportunities from the LNG sector, it is clear that we still have progress to make. We need continued commitment and action from government, industry and First Nations to increase opportunities for First Nation businesses.”
– Karen Ogen-Toews
CEO, First Nations LNG Alliance
“It is important to address the meaningful role that Indigenous communities have in our shared economic prosperity as Canada moves forward in developing major resource projects. Our commitment to renewing Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples means making real progress on issues that matter most, like building an economy that is as inclusive as it is innovative.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada
“Working effectively with Indigenous communities is essential so that good projects can go ahead in Canada. This report will help us identify how we can better work together to support opportunities for Indigenous business development, leading to greater economic prosperity.”
– The Honourable Jim Carr
Minister of Natural Resources
