The First Nations Major Projects Coalition (“FNMPC”) expresses its support for the Government of Canada’s (“government”) commitment to partnering with Indigenous peoples in natural resource projects and supporting Indigenous economic development as outlined in Budget 2022. Further, FNMPC acknowledges Budget 2022’s support of furthering Indigenous climate leadership and the establishment of a National Benefits Sharing Framework.
“Members of the FNMPC know that, especially in our rural and remote communities, major projects are one of the few development opportunities that could bring meaningful change,” said Chief Sharleen Gale, Chair of FNMPC. “First Nations communities know they cannot rely on government programs alone to close the infrastructure and socio-economic gaps; economic development is required, and today’s budget showed the government’s commitment to making this a reality.”
“At the FNMPC, we are working to advance the capacity needs of our members in the broad areas of Economic Participation and Environmental Stewardship, so we were very pleased to see a commitment from the government to expand the Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships program so that Indigenous communities and organizations will continue to have access to the tools needed to make informed business decisions on major projects,” commented Niilo Edwards, Executive Director of FNMPC.
“As today’s budget highlighted, many natural resource projects are located in or near Indigenous communities, including projects to develop the critical minerals that will be needed for Canada’s economy to reach net-zero by 2050,” said Mark Podlasly, Director of Economic Policy at FNMPC. “Solar farms, geothermal plants, biomass projects, transmission lines and mining for critical minerals will all occur in Indigenous territories. Thus, Indigenous equity ownership and benefit, as well as leadership spearheading these initiatives, will be central to the success of Canadian net zero commitments.”