Creating Opportunities in Aboriginal Communities

TransCanada believes economic development creates healthy, prosperous communities. For too long, Aboriginal communities have been unable to share equally in Canada’s economic progress. As outlined in our Aboriginal Policy, we strive to foster employment and business opportunities for Aboriginal people who may be affected by our activities. We also work hard to ensure that our contractors involve local communities as far as possible. The benefits are reciprocal.

In the words of Randy German, Regional Director, Eastern Region and Canadian Power, “Its all about relationships, communication, and working together.”

Randy should know. He was instrumental in negotiating a landmark community agreement with southern Ontario’s Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, which assures everyone of a mutually beneficial long-term working relationship. Community agreements are designed to build and maintain positive relationships with Aboriginal communities affected by our work.

Signed in March 2008, the New Credit agreement provides for:

• Communication and engagement including keeping the communities informed and involved in TransCanada’s projects and activities such as scheduled maintenance work, community impact studies, and requests for feedback;
• Employment and business opportunities for Nation members including communicating potential economic development opportunities that arise from our activities;
• Summer student opportunities at TransCanada facilities and/or in New Credit; and
• Promoting Mississauga culture.

This was the first community agreement we signed in eastern Canada. We hope soon to sign additional agreements with Ontario’s Six Nations and with Quebec Aboriginal communities.

More than 3,000 kilometres away in central Alberta, TransCanada worked closely with representatives of 13 Aboriginal communities on the proposed North Central Corridor project. This is a 300-kilometre, 42-inch pipeline expansion of our Alberta System. Aboriginal people became involved in the right-of-way survey and environmental and historical field studies. Subsequently, our field team negotiated contracts with Aboriginal businesses along the right-of-way. These were finalized in June 2008.

To ensure we always offer as many opportunities as possible to Aboriginal communities, TransCanada created a new Supply Chain Management position. “This employment and business involvement is the most important component of our relationship with Aboriginal communities,” says Perry Kocis, Senior Aboriginal Advisor, Supply Chain Management. “Our facilities are there for the long term and it just makes sense for TransCanada to involve the local communities. It helps these communities grow, and makes us responsible business partners.”

In 2008, our spending on Aboriginal contractors and sub-contractors in Canada alone increased to $47.5 million from $4.1 million five years ago.