Maximizing Indigenous

participation in construction

projects in southern Quebec

Integrating Indigenous workers in our projects offers great

opportunities as well as many challenges The demo

graphic and geographic reality of Indigenous peoples in

southern Quebec and the administrative processes of our

industry can sometimes make it diff icult for these com

munities to take part in construction projects in keeping

with the current requirement of 5 of the value of con

struction costs for federal projects

And were sparing no efforts in attaining this objective

We worked with the f irm Aviseo Conseil in 2022 to esti

mate the capacity of Indigenous businesses and workers

to contribute to construction projects located in southern

Quebec

1

in the coming years

Based on the conclusions of the study we know that we

must work hard to attain the 5 objective in southern

Quebec and that all industry players First Nations and In

digenous organizations clients governments the Com

mission de la construction du Québec trade schools de

signers and builders must work together to help develop

the capacity of Indigenous businesses and workers to play

a role in the construction industry

1 Southern Quebec was limited to a territory roughly corresponding to the St Lawrence Valley from

Quebec City in the east to Gatineau in the west As such six First Nations representing 20 communi

ties are included in this def inition since their ancestral land covers this territory Abenaki Algonquin

Atikamekw HuronWendat Innu Mashteuiatsh Essipit and Pessamit and Mohawk

Capacitybuilding for future generations through the

power of sports is an essential part of this Indigenous

youth development program An initial workshop on the

development of Indigenous youth was held bringing

together some 80 Indigenous youth between the ages of

13 and 16 Some of our employees took part in this initiative

by sharing their ideas experiences and business values

Partnership with the BC Lions

to support Indigenous youth

in the region

Were so thrilled about this partnership that aims to build a

strong relationship with the local community An opportunity

like this to create ties in such a natural way with local First

Nations and Indigenous youth in terms of education and

athletics is something weve been waiting for for a long

time Thanks to our association with the Lions well be able

to make a real difference

Bradley Gunnlaugson Regional Director

Civil and Infrastructure Vancouvert