FortisBC Bridges Corporate and Community Needs Through Equitable Partnerships
By working collaboratively with Indigenous communities and leaders, FortisBC supports economic reconciliation and strengthens project efficacy.
As economic reconciliation goes beyond theory and becomes practice, more and more business leaders across Corporate Canada are making good on their commitments to respectfully collaborate with Indigenous Peoples and develop mutually beneficial projects. FortisBC is a leader in this regard through its reconciliation efforts, promotion of Indigenous entrepreneurship and ongoing commitment to community dialogue.
Accountability and respectful collaboration are at the centre of what FortisBC does. According to its public statement on Indigenous relationships and reconciliation, the organization values "building authentic, mutually respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples” and “continually listening and learning," to the diverse perspectives of Indigenous leaders. But what exactly does that look like in practice? FortisBC engages in meaningful dialogue with Indigenous communities throughout the collaboration process on their various clean energy projects. The company makes every effort to “incorporate Indigenous perspectives into the work [they] do and ensure [they] have the internal structures in place to build genuine relationships and act on [their] commitments,” explains Vanessa Connolly, Director of Community and Indigenous Relations at FortisBC. Cultural awareness is paramount, and FortisBC fosters a corporate attitude of respect towards the diverse cultural practices, histories and values of Indigenous Peoples.
With the growing demand for natural gas, FortisBC is proud to serve 58 First Nations communities across the province of British Columbia. As part of their ongoing reconciliation efforts, the company also has an impressive history of building strong Indigenous partnerships which are guided by the FortisBC Statement of Indigenous Principles.
Developed over twenty years ago, FortisBC’s Statement of Indigenous Principles outlines nine corporate commitments and values which the company continually prioritizes. The statement was written under the guidance and direction of Indigenous leaders from across the province of British Columbia. Some of the key points included in the statement are a commitment to ongoing employee education, respectful interactions with Indigenous Peoples, and inclusive hiring practices. Furthermore, the company prioritizes open and honest communication with Indigenous leaders and communities, with the goal of reciprocity and shared success.
In 2019, FortisBC became a Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Committed member through the Canada Council for Aboriginal Business. The certification is meaningful because it demonstrates that the organization is eager to engage with Indigenous communities, supporting economic reconciliation through equitable partnerships.
FortisBC regularly partners with Indigenous communities as part of its ongoing efforts toward reconciliation and Indigenous economic success. Some of their most impactful collaborations include the Mount Hayes LNG facility and the expansion of their electric vehicle charging network, and the Squamish Environmental Assessment.
Currently, FortisBC shares joint ownership of the Mount Hayes LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) facility with the Stz’uminus First Nation and Cowichan Tribes. The Vancouver Island natural gas storage facility was constructed in 2011 and both the Stz’uminus First Nation and Cowichan Tribes contributed $5.7 million to the project. This lead to an overall $70 million investment in the region. The contribution paved the way for local supplier contracts and the creation of numerous construction jobs and permanent operations jobs at the facility.
More recently, FortisBC partnered with the Osoyoos Indian Band on the expansion of an electric vehicle charging network in British Columbia. In the summer of 2020, two new stations were opened in Oliver and Osoyoos to encourage more environmentally friendly travel. In a press release about the expansion, Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band reflected on the significance of the expansion and what it means for his community. “Hosting these two stations helps make our region accessible for electric vehicle drivers and reflects our forward-thinking approach to economic development,” he explained. The stations also feature artwork by Taylor Baptiste of the Osoyoos Indian Band Youth Council. Her artwork is "a permanent reminder of the value of partnership in driving forward [the] shared goal of a cleaner energy future," explains Connolly.
Another example of early engagement with Indigenous Peoples is through FortisBC’s work with the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). By engaging with the community in an effort to understand their concerns and interests relating to the Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline (EGP) project, FortisBC supported the Squamish Nation to conduct an independent environmental assessment. Early engagement lead to the Squamish Nation Environmental Assessment Agreement, an Indigenous-led assessment process which was the first of its kind in Canada. The agreement gives the Squamish Nation full environmental oversight over the work being done on their traditional territory.
Since then, a number of project changes were proposed to reflect local feedback and technical advancements identified during detailed design. The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and the Squamish Nation reviewed and approved these changes through a harmonized process.
By working together, FortisBC and the Squamish Nation were able to improve the design of the EGP project by minimizing impacts and rerouting an eight-kilometre section of the new gas pipeline through the Stá7mes (Stawamus) Valley.
“It’s through listening and engagement that we’ve strengthened and refined this project,” explains EGP Project Director Darrin Marshall in a recent development update from FortisBC. “We’re grateful for the input we’ve received.”
The above partnerships illustrate how collaboration with Indigenous communities is an absolute must for Corporate Canada. By embracing economic reconciliation and engaging in respectful partnerships, more companies can pave the way for shared success with Indigenous communities and leaders.
Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to collaboration and dialogue facilitation, FortisBC returned as a gold sponsor for the 2022 Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase (IPSS), which was held on May 26th and 27th in Vancouver and online. The showcase reflected increased corporate demand for practical guidance on how business leaders across the country can foster strong, respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities, working toward a common goal of shared success. Sponsoring the event demonstrated clear accountability and action on behalf of FortisBC, making good on the commitment to support dialogue and reconciliation efforts.
“We look forward to the opportunity to connect with Indigenous business leaders, and to learn more about their specific interests and how we can work together to advance clean energy projects,” remarks Connolly.
Moving forward, FortisBC hopes to see more businesses and industry leaders stepping up to facilitate reconciliation through strong Indigenous partnerships. “We encourage other businesses to examine their structure and business practices to make space for Indigenous perspectives,” states Connolly. “This is an ongoing journey and commitment for us, and we invite other businesses to join us on that journey.”
Readers can also find out more about the annual Indigenous Partnership Success Showcase by visiting www.Indigenoussucess.ca. IPSS will return in 2023.
