Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

First Nations Major Projects Coalition’s policy concept for a revolving loan facility receives endorsements by the BC Chamber and Vancouver Board of Trade


As part of a response to the economic impacts of COVID-19, the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) submitted a policy paper to the BC Government calling on the province to establish a revolving loan facility to foster greater access to capital for equity investment in major projects by Indigenous communities. 
 
This week, FNMPC’s policy concept received endorsements from the Vancouver Board of Trade and the BC Chamber of Commerce as part of their independent recommendations to the BC Government on economic recovery.
 
Vancouver Board of Trade 
The First Nations Major Projects Coalition has proposed a Revolving Loan Facility, which would utilize the existing strength and safeguards of the First Nations Finance Authority to provide low-cost capital for equity participation in projects affecting First Nations’ traditional territory.

We recommend that the Province consider this proposal, in conjunction with the private sector and other orders of government, to provide greater access to affordable capital to enable broader Indigenous participation in the economy. 

Click here to read the full report


BC Chamber of Commerce 

Indigenous economic reconciliation is an important part of the overall reconciliation conversation. Economic reconciliation will provide wealth and opportunity – which in turn, provides greater security for Indigenous peoples and their communities.

While there are many paths forward that can achieve greater economic reconciliation, the BC Chamber wants to lend its voice to one idea in particular: The First Nations Major Project Coalition’s ‘Revolving Loan Facility to Support Increased First Nation Participation in Major Resource Projects.’
 
The BC Chamber believes the loan facility will:

  • Support immediate economic recovery by helping First Nations finance shovel-ready and investment worthy, profitable projects;
  • Create short term regional economic ‘spin off’ benefits as First Nations invest the revenues generated into local needs;
  • Establish, for the first time in BC, broad-based financing support for First Nations’ equity participation in major resource and infrastructure projects;
  • Contribute to the BC Government’s established commitments to the implementation of initiatives consistent with the spirit and intent of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act;
  • Require minimal administrative burden.

Click here to read the full report
 

“We are pleased to have the support of the BC Chamber and the Vancouver Board of Trade with respect to this important policy initiative. The revolving loan facility proposal is a First Nation led concept designed to efficiently and effectively address historic barriers faced by our communities in accessing capital for equity participation in major projects taking place on our lands”.  

“Our proposal builds on the frameworks that are already in place through the First Nations Finance Authority, providing greater access to low-cost capital for our communities,” stated Chief Sharleen Gale, Chair of FNMPC’s Board of Directors  
 
To obtain a copy of First Nations Major Projects Coalition’s revolving loan facility, please email executivedirector@fnmpc.ca


 

Chief Sharleen Gale
Chair of the FNMPC

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BC cannot regulate, redesign, and reinterpret its way to a stable forestry sector. Communities need clear rules, predictable timelines, and accountability for results.

Photo credit:  Atli Resources LP   BC’s Forestry Crisis Continues with Closure of Beaver Cove Chip Facility   As industry leaders, Indigenous partners, and contractors gather this week at the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George, the gap between government rhetoric and reality could not be clearer. Just hours after the Eby government once again touted reconciliation, certainty, and economic opportunity under DRIPA, Atli Chip Ltd, a company wholly owned by the ’Na̱mg̱is First Nation, announced it is managing the orderly closure of its Beaver Cove chip facility. The closure comes despite public tax dollars, repeated government announcements, and assurances that new policy frameworks would stabilize forestry employment and create long-term opportunity in rural and coastal British Columbia. “British Columbians are being told one story, while communities are living another,” said Ward Stamer, Critic for Forests. “This closure makes it clear that announcement...
Post a Comment
Read more

Stamer: Hope for Forestry Completely Shattered After Another Provincial Review Driven by DRIPA

IMAGE CREDIT:  Provincial Forestry Advisory Council Conservative Critic for Forests Ward Stamer says the final report from the Provincial Forestry Advisory Council confirms the worst fears of forestry workers and communities; instead of addressing the real issues driving mill closures and job losses, the NDP has produced a report that ignores industry realities and doubles down on governance restructuring. Despite years of warnings from forestry workers, contractors, and industry organizations about permitting delays, regulatory costs, fibre access, and the failure of BC Timber Sales, the PFAC report offers no urgency, no timelines, and no concrete action to stop the ongoing decline of the sector. “ This report completely shatters any remaining hope that the government is serious about saving forestry ,” said Stamer.  “ We didn’t need another study to tell us what industry has been saying for years. While mills close and workers lose their livelihoods, the NDP is focused on re...
Post a Comment
Read more

FORSETH – My question is, ‘How do we decide who is blue enough to be called a Conservative?’

How do we decide who’s blue enough to be a Conservative? AS OF TODAY (Friday January 30 th ), there are now eight individuals who have put their names forward to lead the Conservative Party of British Columbia. Having been involved with BC’s Conservatives since 2010, and having seen MANY ups and downs, having 8 people say “I want to lead the party” is to me, an incredible turn-around from the past. Sadly, however, it seems that our party cannot seem to shake what I, and others, call a purity test of ‘what is a Conservative’. And that seems to have already come to the forefront of the campaign by a couple of candidates. Let me just say as a Conservative Party of BC member, and as someone active in the party, that frustrates me to no end. Conservatives, more than any other political philosophy or belief, at least to me, seems to have the widest and broadest spectrum of ideals.   For the most part, they are anchored by these central thoughts --- smaller and less intru...
1 comment
Read more

Labels

Show more