The Calgary-based energy company announced it is putting $10 million per year for five years towards building housing for six First Nations and Metis communities located near the company’s oil sands operations in northern Alberta.
The housing initiative is the largest in the company’s history and was developed as part of Cenovus’s recent tenth anniversary celebration. Cenovus has met with leaders from Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Chard Métis (Local 218), Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation, Cold Lake First Nations, Conklin Métis (Local 193) and Heart Lake First Nation to begin planning the implementation of the housing program starting this year.
“Investing in Indigenous communities near our operations and ensuring they share in the benefits of resource development has always been part of how we do business. Today, we see an opportunity to step up and do more. We can’t solve the Indigenous housing crisis by ourselves, but through this initiative, we have the opportunity to significantly improve the lives of many families currently living in overcrowded and unsafe conditions,” Cenovus president and CEO Alex Pourbaix said.
Cenovus plans to work with leaders from the six communities to find the most effective ways to deliver homes based on the specific needs of each community, a release stated. The company anticipates building approximately 200 homes based over five years and plans to develop training programs so local residents can participate in building and maintenance of the homes.
Cenovus may also consider extending the program to ten years and a total investment of $100 million depending on the success of the initiative.
“In addition to creating training and employment opportunities and funding the construction of new houses, Cenovus will also work with communities to raise awareness about the Indigenous housing shortage and help advocate for solutions. Communities have done an admirable job in managing their housing with limited resources. But this is a complex issue that will require new ideas and collaboration among many stakeholders. We hope to inspire other companies, governments and organizations to get involved,” Pourbaix said.
“Beaver Lake Cree Nation has always had housing issues. We’re at a capacity where we are trying to keep up with families’ needs. The most crucial thing is understanding that we have help now. Cenovus is stepping forward and saying: ‘We’re here to help, how do we help your community?’ There is going to be a sigh of relief for us,” Beaver Lake Cree Nation councilor Shirley Paradis said.
“We have about 3,000 band members and only 300 homes. So, the crisis is always there and is always ongoing. The relationship has always been a great one with Cenovus; they have always listened and try to do the best they can to help us along the way,” Cold Lake First Nations Chief Roger Marten said.
Separately Cenovus has instructed its Indigenous Inclusion Advisory Committee to help increase Indigenous inclusion in the company’s business and on Jan. 9 Cenovus committed to spending an additional $1.5 billion with Indigenous businesses through 2030.
source:journal of commerce
