We believe the construction industry, and our company, can be even better by fostering a more diverse talent pool. We aim to strengthen our ties through employee and partner relations as well as community initiatives, fostering prosperity, supporting local Indigenous economies, and honoring local cultures.
Our strategy
We have built our strategy on the foundation of the Truth and Reconciliation Report, specifically focusing on Call to Action 92. This call directly urges Canadian businesses to commit to consulting and obtaining informed consent from Indigenous peoples, providing equal job opportunities, training, education, and fostering an anti-racist workplace. We are implementing change through:
Cultural awareness
Building respectful relationships on our projects with open communication and collaboration. We connect all team members with an understanding and knowledge of the history of Indigenous people in Canada with cultural awareness training sessions.
Wealth and capacity within nations
Ensuring that Indigenous business owners, whether individually owned or community owned, will be invited to participate on all of our projects, across Canada. We are partnering with impact organizations that help us increase Indigenous vendor and employee participation.
Indigenous procurement
We are focusing on investing dollars into Nations through Indigenous procurement, making a direct and positive social contribution to their economy through the supply chain. Indigenous procurement is how we as an industry can support Indigenous owned communities reach sovereignty and self-determination.
Hire local
Partnering with the communities we build in. Creating employment opportunities for local Indigenous community members, we plan to hit our goal to have 10 per cent Indigenous employees by 2024.
PROJECTS
Our projects
We work with Indigenous communities, consultants, and construction partners nationwide to help deliver important civil infrastructure, community spaces, and schools. We're always looking for partners who can challenge us to build better.
Bigstone Cree Nation High School
The new 77,500 sq. ft. highschool at Bigstone Cree Nation will feature two Teepees, both inside and outside of the building, an industrial kitchen, a gymnasium and 14 classrooms. We partnered with Nation leaders to create a list of local vendors and qualified candidates to facilitate local involvement.
okimaw peyesew kamik | Boyle Street Community Services
The new centre will be a solution-oriented and purpose built facility that will expand Boyle Street Community Services reach in serving vulnerable communities in Edmonton. The project consists of a redevelopment of a two-and-a-half-acre parcel of land, transforming a former commercial site into a staff and community centre.
National Center for Indigenous Law (NCIL)
The NCIL is dedicated to the study and practice of Canadian law and Indigenous legal order. This project will be the first ever Indigenous law program in the world. During construction of this project our team engaged the Khowutzun Development Corporation (KDC) owned by the Cowichan First Nation for significant scope of work. As of November 15, 2023 we have spent 19 per cent of the total project value with KDC.
OKIB Cultural Immersion School
We partnered with the Okanagan Indian Band to build a new 26,200 sq. ft. elementary school to serve the surrounding 2000+ person community, complete with 12 classrooms, kitchen and cafeteria, gymnasium, administration offices, outdoor amenities including a sports field and play area, a library, and a dedicated drumming and cultural area.
Tim Laronde | National Indigenous strategies director
Proud member of Nipissing First Nation
Tim has worked in business and financial services industry for more than 25 years. His passion for projects is contagious, he looks to share his knowledge with teams and clients helping build a bridge toward reconciliation. He enjoys giving back and empowering Indigenous communities to provide support on their journey toward self-determination.