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Issue # 19                                                                       September 2012
 Greetings! 

Did you know that there are more than 37,000 Aboriginal people in Canada who have their own business?

 

With 72% of these businesses located on reserve, they are often within the vicinity of electricity and renewable energy projects across the country.  Aboriginal businesses offer a full range of products and services from construction and primary sectors to knowledge and service-based sectors.  This makes them prime candidates for participation in the electricity and renewable energy industry as goods and services suppliers.

There is growing evidence for a positive correlation between supplier diversity and increases in shareholder value. With a strong internal commitment to supplier diversity, successful companies are building a new type of competitive advantage which will enable them to more effectively leverage the value of a diverse supply base and compete more effectively in their marketplace. By embracing small minority owned companies with potential, it helps minority companies realize their full potential and be of even greater benefit to a major corporation.
 

Building Relationships 

 

Through partnering with Aboriginal businesses, electricity companies can develop and increase their long term capacity. Capacity can be defined as a set of abilities, skills, understandings and resources that enable organizations to function profitably and effectively. The objective of capacity development is to help an organization enhance its existing skill sets as well as add additional competencies that strengthen and improve business relationships. Through partnering with Aboriginal businesses, electricity companies help to increase the competencies of the Aboriginal businesses. These competencies ensure a state of readiness within Aboriginal businesses that leads to successful partnerships and economic opportunities that benefit both sides.

 

Aboriginal businesses, especially those on reserve or in remote areas, are often important suppliers of local and imported products and services to Canadian companies. Many corporations, especially those in the natural resource sectors (e.g. mining, forestry), have to import materials at high cost to remote project locations. Aboriginal entrepreneurs are stepping in and supplying products and services. For both Aboriginal businesses and corporate customers, these initiatives present win-win opportunities, as Aboriginal firms often have comparative advantages based on location, cost, and proximity to customers.

 

Aboriginal Procurement Strategies

 

Through the Electricity Sector Council's Diagnostic of Aboriginal Procurement Strategies project, there are several tools and resources available to industry stakeholders.
 
To find out more or to read about case studies of organizations who have Aboriginal procurement strategies in place, contact [email protected] or visit www.brightfutures.ca/aboriginal/DAPS
 

  

Supporting Line Trade Development

 

The Supporting Line Trade Development project is a two-year initiative that began in January 2011.  The objective of the research is to support and enhance the work of the line trade as it moves through a period of extensive technological change and growth in electrical grid operations. Effective training directly affects the ability of powerline technicians (PLT) to do their job safely and to more effectively adopt new technologies.  The project is working on identifying the gap between training needs and availability across Canada for powerline technicians, and is also in the process of creating National Occupational Standards (NOS) for two key support roles: cable splicer and utility arborist. 

  

A web-based toolkit is being developed and associated resources to support the industry and provincial authorities in building effective refresher training for post-journey powerline technicians.

  

The research for all aspects of this project was accomplished through focus group meetings with industry experts.  The day-long meetings have been held from Halifax to Vancouver.  It sounds like a clich� these days when you say someone has passion for their job, but all the participants want the electricity industry to be the best and are willing to share their time and experience to help that happen.

  

Participants included experienced professionals, industry trainers, and human resource experts.  The full involvement of these dedicated professionals allowed us to have the very best information to build a practical and current web-based toolkit for post-journey PLT refresher training and to develop two very robust NOS for Utility Arborist and Cable Splicer.  All of the participants found the networking aspect to be the most beneficial to them and some are still staying in touch and sharing best practices or getting opinions on safety clothing or other issues of interest. The findings will be released early in 2013 - stay tuned.

  

  

Bright Futures Aboriginal Youth Camps

 

 

 Bright Futures Aboriginal Youth Camp - Agassiz, BC

 

 

Bright Futures Aboriginal Youth Camp - Wikwemikong, ON

 

Summer of 2012 saw two more Bright Futures Aboriginal Youth Camps. The first was held in Agassiz, BC from July 16th to 20th. The second was in Wikwemikong, ON from August 20th to 24th. 

 

We would like to thank the following sponsors without whom the camps would not have been possible: Engineers Canada, BC Hydro, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, Ontario Power Authority, Power Workers' Union, and Brookfield Renewable Energy Group. 

 

 

The ESC Goes International

 

The Electricity Sector Council's Senior Project Manager Diane Obam Dallaire will present an overview of the Council's renewable energy project Renewing Futures during a by invitation only workshop organized by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

 

The workshop titled, International Energy Agency (IEA's) Implementing Agreement on Renewable Energy Technology Deployment (IEA-RETD): Capitalizing on Renewables- Short- and Medium-term Opportunities and Economic & Employment Benefits" will be hosted by Natural Resources Canada during the last week of September in Ottawa.

 

According to the IEA, "this renewable energy workshop will provide an overview of how different countries aim to capitalise on renewable energy." Further, different IEA-RETD policy cases will be presented by leading international researchers, as well as presentation on the employment and economic benefits of renewable energy technology deployment.

 

In addition to the Council's Chair Norm Fraser, several members of the Renewing Futures Steering Committee and consulting team will also attend the event and meet with IEA's Executive Committee.
  

 

Canadian Energy Person of the Year

 

The Canadian Energy Person of the Year serves as an ambassador of Canada's energy sector, demonstrating a clear vision and commitment to fostering the sustainable use and development of energy. At this year's Canadian Energy Person of the Year award celebration the Energy Council of Canada will be honouring Thierry Vandal, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydro Qu�bec. It will take place in Montreal at  the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel on October 10th, 2012.

 
To purchase single tickets, a table or to become a sponsor, please contact Brigitte Svarich at [email protected] or at (613) 232-5544.


ESC On The Move


Michelle Branigan (Executive Director) will be speaking at the Electricity Distributors Association Georgian Bay District Annual Meeting

September 21,2012

Muskoka, Ontario

 

Kevin Joseph (Project Manager) will be speaking at the CEA Aboriginal Relations Task Group

September 26, 2012

Vancouver, BC

 

Norm Fraser (Chair) and Michelle Branigan (Executive Director) will be speaking at the Smart Grid Canada Conference

October 15-16th

Toronto, Ontario

Contact Us
 
Address: 130 Slater Street, Suite 600, Ottawa, ON  K1P 6E2
Phone: (613) 235-5540
Fax: (613) 235-6922