Give aboriginals fair say in natural resource talks, CEOs urge Ottawa, provinces

OTTAWA – Canada’s aboriginal peoples aren’t the only ones insisting they be treated as equal partners at the natural resources negotiating table.

Big business wants them there too — and is urging the federal and provincial governments to give them a helping hand.

A new report due Monday from the Canadian Council of Chief Executives calls on governments to make aboriginal communities full partners in developing energy and mining projects.

A copy of the report, which comes in advance of the annual meeting of premiers later this month, was obtained by The Canadian Press.

John Manley, the council’s chief executive, says the viability of billions of dollars in natural resource investment is at stake, since no company wants to invest in a project that could be disrupted.

The report calls on Ottawa and the provinces to help train a growing aboriginal workforce, and develop new ways to allow aboriginal communities to participate in business initiatives and wealth-sharing negotiations.