Engaging First Nations creates jobs, secures investment

VICTORIA - B.C. has reached successful agreements with First Nations that deliver specific, practical benefits for communities, companies and the province by shortening project timelines, facilitating faster permits for projects, and creating new jobs, partnerships and training programs.

These are just a few examples of significant progress made by government in the last year to improve the lives of British Columbians and their families by creating and protecting jobs, by becoming more open and transparent, and by continuing to be fiscally responsible in these uncertain economic times.

British Columbia has a unique government-to-government relationship with First Nations. The Province recently announced the new Aboriginal Business and Investment Council, chaired by Haisla Chief Councillor Ellis Ross. The council will work with Aboriginal communities and the private sector to foster economic participation, development and investment in Aboriginal communities.

The Province also signed a Land and Resource Management and Shared Decision-Making Agreement with the Taku River Tlingit First Nation this year, creating 13 new protected areas, providing resource development opportunities and investment certainty for more than three million hectares in northwestern B.C. The Taku River Tlingit have already begun to work co-operatively with mining developers in the area and future resource extraction projects are expected to support around 350 jobs during construction and 280 operations jobs.

British Columbia is also working with the Haisla and other First Nations to develop the Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) sector. The Kitimat LNG facility in northern B.C. is attracting investment, and creating jobs and business opportunities.

Since taking effect in 2009, the Tsawwassen treaty has enabled the First Nation to sit on Metro Vancouver and initiate a multi-million dollar infrastructure project that will result in about 167,225 square metres (1.8 million square feet) of shopping, office and entertainment space. The Tsawwassen treaty is the first modern-day treaty achieved under the B.C. Treaty Commission process.

These agreements and investments propel First Nations into fuller economic participation, provide jobs and new partnerships, and demonstrate the Province's commitment to ensuring that Aboriginal people are an integral part of B.C.'s economic future.

Quotes:

"Implementation of our government-to-government agreement with the Province will be as challenging as negotiating it, but it's important to say that this agreement is the beginning of a new way of doing business, a new beginning for the relationship between our two governments. It represents a firmly held commitment by all parties - industry, B.C., the community of Atlin and the Taku River Tlingit - to build a brighter future for the region as a whole."

Quick Facts:

• The Province recently appointed an Aboriginal Business and Investment Council Chair to work with Aboriginal business leaders and help Aboriginal businesses attract sustainable investment, foster economic development and support job creation.
• The clean energy industry reports more than 125 B.C. First Nations are engaged in clean energy projects. Through the $5-million First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, the Province has supported this sector of the economy by investing $1.36 million to date in 30 Aboriginal communities across B.C. to support participation in clean and renewable energy opportunities.
• Aboriginal youth are the fastest-growing demographic in the province, making Aboriginal people the future of B.C.'s workforce.
• The Province has committed to reaching ten new agreements with First Nations by 2015 that will increase economic certainty and provide opportunities for First Nations to participate in and benefit from economic activities.

Learn More:

Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation: www.gov.bc.ca/arr/

Contact:

Maria Wilkie
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 361 7720