Progress slowly being made
After many generations on the economic periphery, British Columbia’s
Aboriginal people are beginning to play a more integral role in the
province’s industrial and economic development.1 Rising education
rates and a new sense of empowerment in BC’s political environment
are coinciding with new economic opportunities.
In the past, government and industry consultation with Aboriginal
communities was regarded as an afterthought in resource extraction
projects. Now, however, progress is being made to better engage
Aboriginal communities as partners and economic beneficiaries of
new land-based commercial initiatives.2 The array of proposed new
LNG projects in northern BC is a prime example: The Gitxaala,
Kitselas, and Yekooche First Nations have all signed agreements to
share economic benefits that will arise from LNG development on
their territorial lands—benefits such as one-time payments, skills
training, and project employment.3
How will labour market engagement
benefit Aboriginal businesses,
workers, and their communities?
These new projects should help to reduce high unemployment rates
in northern First Nations communities and generate further employment
and business opportunities for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
residents of BC. For example, the $34-billion Pacific NorthWest LNG
facility proposed on the North Coast would not only generate immense
economic benefits for the province, but would also deliver training to
locals and generate 330 permanent operational jobs and another 300
indirect local jobs.4
There are still major obstacles, however, as many Aboriginal communities remain hampered by poverty and social and geographic barriers.
How will government and industry engagement benefit Aboriginal
businesses, workers, and their communities? And what will this
engagement, or the lack thereof, mean for British Columbia’s economy?
Aboriginal employment and outlook
The Aboriginal population in BC and Western Canada is growing at
a faster rate than the general population. Between 2006 and 2011,
BC’s Aboriginal population rose by 18.5%,5 compared to an increase
Perrin, Thorau & Associates Ltd. for the Business Council of British Columbia Outlook 2020 Project, First Nations and Economic Prosperity in
1
the Coming Decade, September 2009. (bcbc.com/content/550/2020_2009