Open letter

CER Commitments on National Indigenous Peoples Day

Open letter: CER Commitments on National Indigenous Peoples Day [PDF 158  KB]

June 21, 2020

Every year on June 21, Canada marks National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

This day was chosen in cooperation with Indigenous organizations in Canada and coincides with the summer solstice. Many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

As leaders of the Canada Energy Regulator, it’s an ideal time to renew our commitment to advance reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Since the first day of the CER, we have been working together to fundamentally transform the way we work with Métis, Inuit and First Nations. Today, we want to clearly reaffirm our commitments to Indigenous peoples:

• We will uphold the commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous people, the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the Principles Respecting the Government of Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples.
• We will listen to Indigenous peoples and incorporate their perspectives into our work at all levels of our organization.
• We will establish an Indigenous Advisory Committee as a key part of the CER’s commitment to reconciliation, with the overarching mandate to advise the Board of Directors on how the CER can build a new relationship with Indigenous peoples.
• We will make it easier for First Nations, Métis and Inuit to meaningfully participate in our hearings in ways that work best for them.
• We will meet with interested Indigenous peoples that could be impacted by an energy project earlier to better understand their concerns.
• We will find more opportunities for Indigenous Monitors to participate in our inspections so projects can benefit from Indigenous knowledge and community perspectives when they are being built, operated and decommissioned.
• We will become a more inclusive and diverse energy regulator and will continue working hard to become an employer of choice for Indigenous peoples in Canada.
• We will educate ourselves to gain a deeper understanding about Indigenous history, culture and contemporary issues facing Indigenous peoples in Canada.
• We will commit to keep listening, learning and forging ahead together.

We know we still have a long way to go. We also know building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples will help us become a better regulator for all people in Canada.

Respectfully,

Date modified:

2020-09-29