OPG recertified with top designation from the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business
At a glance
- OPG has received Gold Designation through the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations program.
- The top award recognizes OPG’s progress in developing important relationships with Indigenous communities and demonstrating Reconciliation.
- Through its Reconciliation Action Plan, OPG is working to grow its economic impact on Indigenous communities and businesses by $1 billion by 2031.
OPG has once again been awarded the Gold Designation through the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) program.
The company first received Gold, a three-year designation, in 2021.
PAIR is a certification program that confirms corporate performance in Indigenous relations at the Bronze, Silver, or Gold level. PAIR Gold companies demonstrate sustained leadership in Indigenous relations and a commitment to working with Indigenous businesses and communities through innovative programs and engagement.
“As a company, we continue to make very real progress toward Reconciliation. We are grateful to the CCIB for recognizing our progress on this journey,” said Jennifer Tidmarsh, OPG’s Vice President of Indigenous Relations. “Throughout our operations and across our multiple projects, we are making concerted efforts to include Indigenous participation at all levels – from procurement to employment. As we work to electrify life in one generation, we will continue to build relationships with Indigenous communities, who will be vital to helping realize our vision.”
Throughout our operations and across our multiple projects, we are making concerted efforts to include Indigenous participation at all levels – from procurement to employment. As we work to electrify life in one generation, we will continue to build relationships with Indigenous communities, who will be vital to helping realize our vision.Jennifer TidmarshVice President of Indigenous Relations, OPG
Since OPG’s last PAIR Gold designation, the company released its first-ever Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2021. The plan is now guiding OPG’s work with Indigenous communities, businesses, and organizations, with a primary goal of growing the company’s economic impact by $1 billion by 2031, as well as increasing Indigenous representation at all levels of the company.
In July, OPG released an update on its RAP targets as well as reporting on progress up to 2023. Since 2022, OPG has reached $198 million in Indigenous contract awards and $39.4 million in equity distributions to its Indigenous partners.
Overall, in 2023, OPG invested a total of nearly $600,000 in Indigenous initiatives, including a sponsorship for the annual Indspire Awards, which recognize Indigenous excellence.
| OPG has developed equity partnerships with five First Nations on four low-carbon generation projects – such as the Peter Sutherland Sr. Generating Station, developed in partnership with the Taykwa Tagamou Nation. These partnerships provide stable, long-term revenue streams for Indigenous communities, as well as education, training, employment, and contract opportunities. |
The PAIR Gold designation is determined by a jury of Indigenous businesspeople. The decision is supported by independent and third-party verification of company reports on measurable outcomes and initiatives in four key areas:
- Leadership actions
- Employment
- Business development
- Community relations
As a CCIB member since 2003, OPG strives to demonstrate leadership in Indigenous relations across Ontario using the PAIR program and its RAP as frameworks. Collaboration internally and with communities remains the cornerstone of the company’s Indigenous relations and has led to effective strategy development and mutually beneficial outcomes in the areas of employment, business development, and community investment.
Learn more about how OPG is working to build important relationships with Indigenous Nations and communities for the future here.
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