WaterPower Canada (WPC) has released a new collection of success stories titled Paths Forward 2022: Celebrating Indigenous businesses in Canadian hydropower. The publication celebrates partnerships in the waterpower sector between utilities, energy companies, Indigenous businesses and organizations affiliated with First Nations.
“Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples and communities presents both profound opportunities and challenges as we journey together to address the increasing demand for energy,” said Carolina Rinfret, WPC president and chief executive officer. “We are all taking a reconciliation journey together and are committed to collaborating with Indigenous peoples, Communities and Governments to build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships founded upon the shared values of recognition, respect, inclusion and openness.”
Paths Forward publications were also released in 2015 and 2018 to showcase progress and reconciliation stories in the clean energy sector.
Paths Forward 2022 contains stories of growing relationships, new partnerships and reconciliation initiatives across Canada, featuring WPC members and stakeholders such as Hydro-Québec, Tlingit Homeland Energy, Yukon Energy, Ontario Power Generation, TC Energy, BC Hydro, Manitoba Hydro and SaskPower. These stories were prepared in consultation with representatives of local Indigenous communities to be strong examples of what can be achieved through collaboration.
WPC has developed a Statement of Reconciliation and Commitment to Indigenous Communities and Peoples in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Call to Action 92. The Statement affirms WPC’s commitment to building new paths forward to achieve sustainable long-term relationships founded upon the shared values of recognition, respect, inclusion and openness.
Founded in 1998, WPC is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to representing the Canadian waterpower industry. WPC members represent more than 95% of the waterpower installed capacity in Canada, advocating for the responsible development and use of waterpower to meet our present and future electricity needs in a sustainable manner.
