Journey towards reconciliation
Our commitment
to building a strong shared future
For more than 40 years, we have actively participated in the evolution of the relationship between Indigenous communities and industry. In that time, we have learned a great deal from the relationships we have built and the conversations we have had. We are so grateful to the Indigenous communities and their leaders who have been generous with their time, open with their perspectives and respectful when these perspectives differ.
We recognize that we must do our part in advancing reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous people to support the growth of resilient Indigenous communities and the development a strong shared future. It is a journey requiring a thoughtful approach, long-term commitment and openness to listen and learn.
In our 2021 Reconciliation Action Plan, we outlined our commitment and need to build better relationships and strengthen partnerships with Indigenous Peoples. Six measurable goals were included in the plan of action to help advance reconciliation, both internally and in the communities where we operate.
A year after publishing our Reconciliation Action Plan, we continue to listen and learn and have made progress on our goals. The Reconciliation Action Plan Update provides transparency on progress and reflection on what we have learned since the release of the inaugural report.
Embedded in the lands on which we operate are the histories, cultures and traditions of Indigenous groups across North America.
We thank the original stewards of these lands – generations past, present and future – for sharing these homelands with us.
François Poirier
President and CEO
François Poirier
President and CEO
François Poirier
President and CEO
Our vision
for reconciliation
TC Energy’s vision is to be an industry leader in advancing reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous people.
By ensuring early and honest communication with our partners, and listening to understand priorities of Indigenous Peoples and businesses, together we will find alignment and pursue opportunities that help us continually build stronger, mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships.
Progress in 2021-2022
Our plan in action
Our Reconciliation Action Plan includes six commitments. Our progress on each goal is outlined below; for full details, including stories and learnings about each goal, read the full report.
Indigenous Advisory Council
Our goal and target:
We will work with Indigenous leaders across our footprint to establish an Indigenous Advisory Council that will provide advice to our executive leadership team and help guide our reconciliation efforts. We targeted having an approach for an advisory council in place by Q4 of 2021.
Our progress:
Complete: An Indigenous Advisory Council (the Council) was established in December 2021 with leaders representing Indigenous interests across Canada. Currently, the Council includes three Indigenous leaders who bring diverse perspectives and extensive experience to the table. Recruitment continues for additional members to complement the skills and accomplishments of the Council. The Council meets with our executive leadership team twice a year and provides guidance on initiatives and co-creates solutions to progress reconciliation priorities with Indigenous groups.
The members of the Council, as of May 2023, include:
- Krystal Abotossaway, Senior HR Manager at TD Bank and President of the Indigenous Professional Association of Canada
- Robert Louie, Chief of Westbank First Nation in British Columbia
- Raylene Whitford, Director, Canative Energy and member of the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board
- Bill Namagoose – Former long-time Executive Director of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) and Cree Nation Government
- Karen Restoule – Vice President at Crestview Strategy and co-founder of BOLD Realities
- Lee Ahenakew – Interim CEO of the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food and Principal of Lee Ahenakew and Associates Consulting
Learn more about the members of the Council.
Board of Directors cultural awareness training
Our goal and target:
We committed to delivering tailored training to our Board of Directors focused on the history and cultures of Indigenous Peoples across North America. We targeted developing the training by Q3 of 2021 and initiating it before the end of 2021.
Our progress:
Complete: Tailored training on the history and cultures of Indigenous Peoples in North America was delivered to our Board of Directors in November 2021. Learn more.
Cultural awareness training
Our goal and target:
We committed to implementing a corporate-wide training module to provide mandatory cultural awareness training on the history and cultures of Indigenous peoples across North America to all employees and internal contractors. We targeted developing the training by Q3 of 2021 and initiating it in 2021.
Our progress:
In progress and behind schedule: We developed an online cultural awareness training module, which was rolled out to all Canadian employees and internal contractors in 2021. Further training is under development. Learn more.
Investment in communities
Our goal and target:
We committed to partnering with Indigenous groups to identify and support community-led reconciliation initiatives.
Our progress:
In progress: We’ve continued our support for community-led initiatives, with more than C$7.3 million provided to Indigenous-related causes and initiatives in 2021. Learn more.
Indigenous hiring and contracting
Our goal and target:
We committed to setting Indigenous contracting targets to enhance participation of Indigenous businesses in the execution of our projects and operational activities. We aimed to have the targets set by Q3 of 2021.
Our progress:
In progress and behind schedule: We’re conducting a comprehensive review process to understand previous spend data with Indigenous vendors, reviewing forecasts to understand how expenditures may shift over the next five years, and reviewing our contracting and hiring processes. We expect to implement new changes in 2023. Learn more.
Project equity
Our goal and target:
We committed to developing a framework to identify project equity opportunities with Indigenous groups across our footprint. We targeted having the framework developed by Q4 of 2021.
Our progress:
Complete: We are pleased to share the company’s inaugural Canadian Indigenous Equity Framework.
Listening to feedback
We are committed to listening to feedback with an open mind. The feedback and interest we’ve received from Indigenous groups, partners, employees and the Indigenous Advisory Council is informing how we measure progress, identify other areas for improvement and shape new goals.
For more information on our current Indigenous engagement program, explore our webpages on our approach to Indigenous relations, project participation, people and contracting and community legacy.
Email us at Indigenous_Relations@TCEnergy.com, call us at 1-855-895-8754 or visit our Contact us page for more information.