Highlights
The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation (JEDI) continues to collaborate with First Nation partners in the development and implementation of the 10 JEDI-led flagship initiatives from the StrongerBC Economic Plan that was released in 2022. This collaboration occurs on an initiative-by-initiative basis in recognition that the StrongerBC Economic Plan involves a diverse range of industries, sectors, and initiatives that each contribute to clean and inclusive economic growth.
An important step taken to support continued collaboration this past year was the successful launch of the new First Nations Centre of Excellence for Economic Development. The creation of a Centre of Excellence is identified as a flagship initiative in the StrongerBC Economic Plan and is being supported by the Province through an initial investment of $1.2 million. Established under the leadership of the BC Assembly of First Nations, this new Centre of Excellence is an independent, non-political, First Nations-led institution that will provide services and supports to First Nations as they pursue their economic development priorities. A key focus for the Province and the Centre of Excellence in 2023/24 was strategic planning, securing long-term funding, and setting a strong foundation for ongoing dialogue on the long-term direction of the economy.
A sector-specific example of strong collaboration in the implementation of the StrongerBC Economic Plan is the implementation of the Mass Timber Action Plan. Through a collaborative effort with the First Nations Forestry Council, there has been regular engagement this past year with First Nations to explore, activate, or expand opportunities for greater participation in the mass timber supply chain and manufacturing.
How are we working together?
Engagement with First Nation partners is ongoing across flagship initiatives from the StrongerBC Economic Plan. This includes:
- JEDI, through the Office of Mass Timber Implementation, continues to collaborate with First Nations communities, the BC Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Summit, and the First Nations Forestry Council on the implementation of the Mass Timber Action Plan. As an example, JEDI hosted a series of “Mass Timber Manufacturing & Funding Opportunities” information sessions in Fall 2023 for First Nations. The information sessions were specifically designed to center the issues identified by First Nation partners as most important, specifically the federal and provincial funding programs available to First Nations to explore, activate, or expand opportunities in the mass timber supply chain and manufacturing.
- JEDI has been advancing dialogue with the First Nations Business Development Association on policy issues related to the identification of lands that can support sustainable industrial activity. These policy discussions have led to a larger opportunity to partner with the First Nations Business Development Association through a new Collaborative Consultative Working Agreement. This proposed agreement is meant to create new channels to support an ongoing dialogue with First Nation Development Corporations about economic opportunities across BC.
- The Province launched a new Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Centre of Excellence to provide business owners with additional tools to attract new markets and investments. The ESG Centre of Excellence was developed through engagement with First Nation organizations and business leaders with a view to incorporate Indigenous priorities and perspectives.
JEDI continues to establish relationships with Indigenous partners consistent with commitments made in the StrongerBC Economic Plan to create forums for ongoing dialogue with Indigenous Peoples on the long-term direction of the economy.
Are there challenges?
JEDI is still in the early stages of engagement with First Nation partners on some flagship initiatives that are identified in the StrongerBC Economic Plan. In part, this is due to the diverse range of industries, sectors, and initiatives in the StrongerBC Economic Plan. A key focus for JEDI is working with First Nation partners to determine high-priority areas that will benefit from deeper and ongoing dialogue. The new First Nations Centre of Excellence for Economic Development will be an important partner in the identification of sectors and initiatives that are of highest priority and interest to First Nations.
From the Mass Timber Action Plan, there is a risk that First Nation governments and organizations may not have the capacity to consider and fully activate opportunities in the mass timber sector. To help mitigate this risk, the Office of Mass Timber Implementation aligns JEDI’s work along existing relationships and tables between government and Indigenous peoples, with a focus on wayfinding and introducing suitable funding programs to Indigenous partners. JEDI also develops and implements approaches and resources that centre the interests and needs of Indigenous partners.