The number of Indigenous suppliers has also grown from 263 in 2017 to 275 in 2019, with cumulative procurement spending in the three-year period totalling about $5.9 billion. The oil sands companies that participated in the survey are responsible for more than 95% of Canadian oil sands production. Indigenous supply chain businesses contribute to oil sands operations in a variety of areas including construction, camps and catering, equipment services, transportation, environmental, drilling, engineering services, and retail among others. In addition, the survey shows oil sands producers are continuing their commitment and engagement in the communities where they operate, increasing the total amount of money put into community investment, consultation funding and other initiatives in Indigenous communities. The total for these activities reached $64.2 million in 2019, compared to $58 million in 2018, and $41.8 million in 2017. Community investment can include things such as education initiatives for Indigenous communities, training programs, physical infrastructure and cultural program funding specific to local communities. Consultation funding applies to ongoing operations in an Indigenous community, but also includes project-specific consultation, site visits, technical reviews, and funding for studies and agreement negotiations. As Indigenous businesses grow their participation in resource development, Indigenous people are […]
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