Trans Mountain deeply respects Aboriginal rights and title in Canada and we remain committed to building and maintaining meaningful, long-term relationships with all Aboriginal communities that have an interest in the Project.

Over the past six years, Aboriginal engagement has included more than 133 Aboriginal communities and groups who have an interest in the Project or have interests potentially affected by the Project. While governments provide consultation lists to project proponents, we took a very inclusive approach to engagement and met with any Aboriginal group that requested to share or receive information. 

As a result of this engagement, Trans Mountain has signed 43 Mutual Benefit Agreements with Aboriginal groups in BC and Alberta, 33 of which are located in BC. The Mutual Benefit Agreements that have been signed will see Trans Mountain share in excess of $400 million with those communities. We continue to work with groups and the number and form of Agreements may evolve over time.

In total, we have entered into approximately 100 agreements to date including Letters of Memorandum or Understanding, capacity funding agreements, integrated cultural assessments, Relationship Agreements and Mutual Benefit Agreements. More than 45 communities have participated in Traditional Land Use and Traditional Marine Use studies, and more than 25 communities have participated in Traditional Ecological Knowledge studies.

We have support from First Nations communities whose Reserve lands we intend to cross with the Project and we're confident that we will build and operate this Project in a way that respects the values and priorities of the communities touched by our activities and reflects the shared value of all Canadians in respect of the environment.

The approvals granted for the Expansion Project followed many years of engagement and consultation with Aboriginal groups and individuals. In addition to one-on-one dialogue, communities were given the opportunity to express their views and concerns to the National Energy Board, during the multi-year regulatory review of the Project.

Prior to issuing it’s final decision to approve the Project, the Federal government also supplemented the NEB process with a Special Ministerial Panel to hear from Canadians and local communities and Aboriginal groups along the pipeline and shipping route to hear views that may not have been considered as part of the NEB review.

Trans Mountain is working to identify Aboriginal, regional and local capacity, and our primary objective is to maximize economic opportunities that will arise from the Project. We’ve created an Aboriginal Procurement Policy, Training Policy for Aboriginal Peoples and Aboriginal Employment Policy and we will work in partnership with Aboriginal communities and our construction contractors to achieve our commitments.

The partnerships we are creating support economic and community development initiatives and are based on trust, respect and collaboration. As the Project moves forward, we will have ongoing conversations to further understand and address the concerns of Aboriginal communities, and ensure their members are able to share in the success of the Project.

The Agreements we’ve signed with Aboriginal groups are confidential, although some groups have chosen to be public in their support. The news releases and stories below provide more details about the Agreements and partnerships we’ve entered into: 

  • Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and Trans Mountain ensure significant economic opportunities for community: News Release
  • Simpcw First Nation Signs Agreement with Trans Mountain; Mutual Benefits Agreement will bring opportunities and shared economic benefits: News Release
  • Métis Nation BC “satisfied” with mitigation measures for Trans Mountain Expansion Project: News Release
  • Paul First Nation and Kinder Morgan Canada Sign Mutual Benefits Agreement: News Release
  • Paying Homage to the Spirit of the Land with the Foothills Ojibway First Nation: Story
  • Aboriginal Monitor Training Program Provides Opportunity to Recent Graduates: Story
  • Aboriginal Monitors: Incorporating Traditional Knowledge in our Environmental Inspection Teams: Story
  • Working with the Simpcw First Nation to protect sensitive areas: Story
  • Students are Taking the First Step to a Welding Career at a Unique Program at Seabird College: Story
  • Métis Nation BC and Trans Mountain Discuss the Significance of Their Signed Mutual Benefits Agreement: Story
  • Meet Dion Arnouse, Emergency Management Specialist: Story
  • Focus on conditions: Geographic Response Plans: Story
  • Partnering with the Aboriginal Human Resource Council on cross-cultural training program: Story
  • Graduates of a hands-on program introducing Aboriginal women to Red Seal trades are feeling confident about training for vocations: Story
  • Meet Tyrone McNeil, Manager, Stqó:ya Construction: Story