Forging stronger bonds with Indigenous communities in Québec

In the wake of Hydro-Québec’s Declaration of Commitment to the First Nations and the Inuit Nation and the adoption of the Strategic Plan 2022–2026, Hydro-Québec intends to strengthen its relations with Indigenous communities over the coming years through different means. Our main objectives are to:

• Maintain an ongoing dialogue and deepen our involvement with Indigenous communities.

• Proactively enter into socioeconomic partnership agreements with Indigenous communities.

• Work with Indigenous partners, develop job offers and key skill-building opportunities adapted to the needs of First Peoples.

Fostering openness and team spirit in the workplace

Procurement strategy

As outlined in Hydro-Québec’s Declaration of Commitment to the First Nations and the Inuit Nation and its policy on relations with Indigenous communities (in French only) , we believe that Indigenous companies represent a major driver of economic development, not just within their own communities and nations, but also for Québec as a whole.

Our procurement strategy is therefore aimed at developing and strengthening our business relations with Indigenous suppliers. In keeping with our recently launched reconciliation initiatives, and informed by the principles of responsible procurement and sustainable development, it will contribute to the collective wealth and development of Indigenous nations and communities.

The main guidelines of the strategy, which seeks to foster Indigenous entrepreneurial potential, are as follows:

• Remain proactive and creative in designing and implementing our business models.

• Work closely with Indigenous businesses and economic development stakeholders.

• Provide Indigenous companies and our internal teams with additional support at every stage of the procurement process.

Under an agreement with the Cree Nation, we’ve set out to foster harmonious, cooperative working relations among Indigenous suppliers through a range of actions. The personalized support offered to Cree employees, managers and teams is undoubtedly the most distinctive element of this agreement. And we’re delighted to say that, together with the recently created Indigenous Workforce team, the expertise developed under the agreement now lets us extend our services to employees from every Indigenous nation—an ambitious goal, since each nation has its own realities and each work team, its own challenges.

On November 23, the Indigenous workforce team held the Plus loin, tous ensemble forum to pool knowledge, learn new practices and obtain a confirmation—by and for the First Nations and Inuit—that Hydro-Québec is heading in the right direction.

The event brought together some 15 Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations—including universities, Cégeps and community organizations—from the education and employment sectors. Discussions provided the participating organizations with opportunities to build stronger ties and to pool strengths with the aim of building lasting relationships benefiting future generations of the 11 Indigenous nations in Québec.