Advisory: Canadian Energy Centre releases research brief on Indigenous economic opportunity in the oil and gas sector

By CEC Staff

March 4, 2020

Calgary — The Canadian Energy Centre released key findings from a study of First Nations economic involvement in the oil and gas sector.

Using Statistics Canada data, the brief highlights four First Nations communities in the heart of the Alberta oil sands: Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, Fort McKay First Nation, Fort McMurray First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation.

The brief shows that First Nations involvement in oil, natural gas and pipelines has created myriad benefits, including:

  • Allowing First Nations to earn incomes higher than the median incomes for all First Nations across Canada and the general population;
  • One First Nation involved in the oil sands shows median employment income higher than nine of ten provinces;
  • Aboriginal Canadians employed in pipeline transportation and oil and gas extraction show median employment incomes significantly higher than in other industries;
  • First Nations with significant involvement in the oil sands are less dependent on government transfers than residents in most provinces;
  • Aboriginal Canadians are employed in far higher proportions in the energy sector than in other industries.

The full report can be found here.

For more information, please contact the Canadian Energy Centre at:

Ph: 587-391-1589

Email: inbox@canadianenergycentre.ca