A growing number of construction companies across Canada are putting time and money into starting their own Indigenous relations departments to help improve how they work with Indigenous communities and possibly address a coming labour shortage.    

While the duties of each department vary from company to company, many look to employ Indigenous workers, hire Indigenous subcontractors, and collaborate with Indigenous leaders to plan construction projects.   

There are no hard numbers on how many companies have started these departments, but many large construction firms have, according to Mary Van Buren, president of the Canadian Construction Association.  

“It’s becoming more a part of doing business,” she said. 

Van Buren’s association represents 20,000 construction firms across Canada. 

Construction companies have been gradually building Indigenous relations departments over the last few years, but recently more emphasis has been put on them, according to Duncan Williams, president and CEO of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia.

Hiring staff specifically to work with Indigenous groups impresses Paul Prosper, a regional chief with the Assembly of First Nations. He represents Nova Scotia along with Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Prosper said it’s important that companies understand the dynamics that exist in Indigenous communities and work to establish open and trustworthy relationships with them before they start construction projects on Indigenous land.  

“I think it’s certainly a good thing to see that concerted effort and that emphasis on, you know, engagement within Aboriginal and Mi’kmaw communities. I certainly commend that approach,” he said.

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