Enbridge is committed to doing business with Aboriginal contractors and suppliers as a vital cornerstone in its relationship with Aboriginal and Native American communities across Canada and the United States. Enbridge recognizes the very important contribution that Aboriginal businesses make each year to the overall economy and we have a long history of partnering with businesses that are owned and operated by Aboriginal and Native American people.

Enbridge may offer sole-sourced contracting opportunities to qualified Aboriginal and Native American suppliers and contractors, where appropriate, and encourages collaborative opportunities between Aboriginal businesses and non-Aboriginal businesses when it builds capacity and supports mutual business interests.

The intent of this initiative is to provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Native American owned businesses to take part in and benefit from new Enbridge projects, initially through contracts in the construction phase of our projects. In the long term, Aboriginal and Native American businesses could benefit from this initiative through enhanced capacity to continue to work with Enbridge and others.

To help Aboriginal businesses introduce themselves to Enbridge and begin building valuable, long-term relationships, we have developed registration and pre-qualification processes.

What is an Aboriginal business?

“Aboriginal business” means a business that is at least 51% Aboriginal owned and controlled, meaning majority owned and controlled by Aboriginal people or another Aboriginal business or organization, including First Nations, Tribal Councils, Inuit Communities, Métis Settlements and Locals.

“Aboriginal” means descended from North American Indians (Status Indians, non-Status Indians, Treaty Indians or Native Americans) and includes descendants of the Inuit and descendants of the Métis.

“Business” means sole proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, corporation, joint venture, syndicate, co-operative or society with the legal capacity to enter into and be bound by private contracts.

Exceptions

Businesses that are less than 51% Aboriginal owned and controlled but:

which began as an Aboriginal business, and continue to retain substantial involvement on the part of the original Aboriginal owner(s) and or their family members;
which employ or contract mostly Aboriginal People; or
whose business purpose is primarily for the employment, training and/or economic development of Aboriginal People.

^ top of page