Don't exclude oil and gas

The upcoming federal budget is set to unveil a new Indigenous loan guarantee program. However, there are concerns that this program, unlike programs created by the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan, will exclude oil and gas projects.

This would be a huge mistake.

Indigenous leaders have made a strong case that oil and gas projects are a key component in economic reconciliation. If Indigenous communities are to prosper they must be able to use the resources that are available to them. In large parts of Canada that includes oil and gas.

Many Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses lack access to affordable investment capital. So preventing Indigenous communities from getting loans to develop oil and gas closes off one of the surest pathways to prosperity.

It's not too late to make sure oil and gas are included in this program.

Please send a letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland to tell her not to exclude oil and gas from this program which could help create lasting prosperity for Indigenous communities from coast-to-coast.