ANNUAL REPORT | 2013 The Resource Sector: Engine of Opportunity powered by ENGAGEMENT & EQUITABLE PARTNERSHIPS 2 MISSION BOARD OF DIRECTORS To foster sustainable business relations between First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and Co-Chair, Ron Jamieson, Corporate Director Co-Chair, Erin Meehan, ESS North America Canadian Business. Treasurer, John Dutschek, Dutschek & Company Chartered Accountants Secretary, Kara Flynn, Syncrude Canada Ltd. VISION To be the recognized source on commercial James Blackman (incoming), Primco Dene Group of Companies opportunities between First Nations, Inuit and Scott Bonikowsky, Tim Hortons Inc. Métis people and Canadian Business. Bonnie Boretsky, Canada Post Corporation Arden Buskell (outgoing), First Nations Bank Tammy Charland-McLaughlin (outgoing), Primco Dene Group of Companies CORE VALUES Stephen Fay, BMO Bank of Montreal • Respect for First Nation, Inuit and Métis cultures Maxime Faille (incoming), Gowlings Michael Fox, Fox High Consulting • Maintain a high standard of business ethics Leanne Hall (incoming), Noront Resources Ltd. • Develop open, honest and transparent Candice Holmstrom, CH Designs Pat Horgan, IBM Canada Ltd. relationships with all stakeholders Dean Johnson, Sodexo Canada Michael Ledgett (incoming), Dentons Canada LLP Stephen Lindley, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) was founded Gary Merasty (outgoing), Cameco Corporation in 1984 by a small group of visionary business and community leaders Randy Moore (incoming), committed to the full participation of Aboriginal peoples in the Bee-Clean Building Maintenance Canadian economy. A national non-profit organization, CCAB offers Howard L. Morry, Pitblado Law Clayton Norris, MNP LLP knowledge, resources, and programs to both Aboriginal owned Jacques Plante, Nasittuq Corporation member companies and Canadian Business that foster economic Paul Summers, SteelCraft Inc. opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and businesses across Canada. Sean Willy (incoming), Cameco Corporation www.ccab.com Marta Young, Shaw Media 3 ANNUAL TABLE OF REPORT CONTENTS 2013 Message Message from the 2013 Events Programs from the Chairs President & Sponsors CEO Page 6 Page 16 Page 4 Page 15 Page 5 2013 Aboriginal Awards Research Financials Members Vendors Page 25 Page 28 Page 36 Page 30 Page 35 4 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRS Dear Friends of CCAB: Now in our 30th year the Canadian Council for Aboriginal In 2013, CCAB saw a year of expediential growth of Business (CCAB) has much to reflect on and much to new membership across all industry sectors. This growth celebrate. The enormous growth of the entrepreneurial is a result of CCAB’s continuous engagement with all spirit of Aboriginal peoples is a testament to the businesses in Canada, and its mission to provide a space determination of both Aboriginal business and Business for premium business forums. Canada to level the playing field to obtain equitable prosperity for all Canadians. The diversity of the resource sector is a strong example Ron Jamieson of potential that truly is an engine of opportunity for CCAB Co-Chair This year CCAB was honoured to induct two new Aboriginal peoples in Canada. laureates, C.T. Manny Jules and Jim Thunder into the Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame. These laureates CCAB remains committed to engaging business Canada demonstrate the resourcefulness and commitment to and promoting equitable partnerships in the years ahead. furthering equitable partnerships that strengthen socio- economic capacity and demonstrate the resilience of Sincerely, First Nations, Inuit and Métis people across the nation. This year’s Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations recognized Phil Fontaine, a former National Chief of Ron Jamieson Erin Meehan the Assembly of First Nations. Mr. Fontaine is truly CCAB Co-Chair CCAB Co-Chair an exceptional leader on the national stage whose eloquence and foresight have propelled positive Erin Meehan change for all Canadians. President, ESS North America (a division of Compass Group Canada) and CCAB Co-Chair 5 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO Dear Members, Patrons and Supporters: I would like to start by thanking all Members, Patrons Understanding community values is paramount when it and Supporters for their continued commitment to the comes to health, safety, environment, economic aspirations Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business in our quest and cultural concerns. Aligning these concerns with to be that vital link between Aboriginal peoples and corporate approaches to sustainable development creates Business Canada. certainty by building mutual trust and understanding. The acceleration of Business Canada’s participation at There is a significant opportunity to create stronger all levels of the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) business pathways through resource development. program strengthens the ability of this program to connect JP Gladu Meaningful relationships will not only strengthen long-term the Aboriginal community to the national stage. I am President and CEO certainty for business, but also create new platforms from confident in stating that our Certified Aboriginal Business which Aboriginal communities can thrive. (CAB) program, which was launched in 2013, has become an effective tool that is re-shaping the business landscape Business Canada continues to deepen their understanding of the Canadian resource sector. of the positive impact that business development within the Aboriginal community can have on the I strongly believe that when Canadian business can easily Canadian economy. Business Canada also continues to and efficiently identify access points to Aboriginal business demonstrate best practices in engagement with Aboriginal and its accompanying labour pool and business certainty, communities, understanding community values, and growth will follow. working to align corporate and community perspectives. Actively pursuing mutually beneficial opportunities is no longer a nicety, it is the business norm. Having a solid strategy in engaging Aboriginal communities is crucially important when developing resource projects in Canada. Sincerely, JP Gladu, President and CEO 6 2013 EVENTS THE FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK TORONTO 15th ANNUAL FEB52013 Toronto Gala The Canadian Council The evening’s highlight for Aboriginal Business was the induction of two (CCAB) welcomed guests new laureates, C.T. Manny to our 15th Annual Toronto Jules, Chief Commissioner Gala at the Fairmont Royal and CEO of the First Métis Fiddler Quartet York hotel Toronto. Social Nations Tax Commission, entrepreneur, author and Kamloops, BC and Jim television broadcaster Thunder, former Chief of Rudyard Griffiths served Buffalo Point First Nation as Master of Ceremonies into CCAB’s Aboriginal with the award winning Business Hall of Fame. Métis Fiddler Quartet providing the cultural Members and guests entertainment for the welcomed Duncan evening. Hawthorne, President and Rudyard Griffiths Chief Executive Officer, Duncan Hawthorne Bruce Power as the keynote speaker. Elder Pauline Shirt 7 2013 EVENTS OTTAWA CCAB would like to CCAB MEMBER thank guest panelists: FEB222013 Roundtable The Daniels Decision and the Implications for Aboriginal business Gary Lipinski, President & CEO, Métis Nation of Ontario Recently, the Federal Court As the relationship Special thanks to ruled that Métis and non- between First Nations, Gowlings for hosting the status Indians are “Indians” Métis, non-status Indians, roundtable followed by a within the meaning of and Business Canada networking reception. s.91(24) of the Constitution, continues to evolve; guest and that Métis and non- panelists addressed the Stephen Lindley, Vice President, status Indians therefore issues around consultation, Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, fall within exclusive federal accommodation and SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. jurisdiction. resource development, with roundtable CCAB members and participants sharing their invited guests participated views on the opportunities, in a member roundtable challenges and impacts to explore the implications to Aboriginal business for Aboriginal business in development and Canada, as a result of the relationships. Max Faille, Partner, National Leader, Aboriginal Law, Gowlings Daniels Decision released on January 8, 2013. 8 2013 EVENTS DELTA VALHALLA INN BESSBOROUGH MAR 2013 APR 2013 THUNDER BAY 22 SASKATOON 5 Re-inventing CCAB welcomed members ABORIGINAL BUSINESS and guests to our Aboriginal and investing Business Luncheon at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay. in forestry: Forestry has been a major Luncheons: New paths and industry player and employer in the Thunder Bay region challenges facing Aboriginal partnerships Aboriginal for decades. Despite the businesses and where the downturn and many mill priorities lay for the FNBC. closures over the past five Luncheon room business and years, forestry is reinventing FNBC is committed to being banking: Trends itself with the interest of a leader in providing financial global investors and users of and priorities services to the ever expanding forest resources. Aboriginal economy. With a focus on Aboriginal Keynote speaker KK The bank is currently business and banking Maheshwari, Group President, transitioning to a fully CCAB welcomed members Aditya Birla Group shared independent, Aboriginal and invited guests to his perspectives around the controlled bank as they our Aboriginal Business opportunities and challenges prepare for their next stage of KK Maheshwari Luncheon in Saskatoon in re-establishing a traditional development