Message from The Canada Infrastructure Bank on the First National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
The CIB has an important role to play in closing the infrastructure gap that affects the lives of many First Nation, Métis and Inuit people. Investing in local, community-based infrastructure is not only a way to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and improve connectivity of Indigenous communities, but it is also an opportunity to support a more inclusive environment for Indigenous communities to participate in Canada’s economy.
We see great potential to improve infrastructure by collaborating and investing to address priorities through our Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative. As one demonstration of our determination to accelerate Indigenous infrastructure projects, we have reached the important milestone of financial close on the CIB’s investment in the Tshiuetin Rail project. This $50M investment will help to modernize the first Indigenous owned and operated railway in Canada. This is an important example of how we can be flexible and responsive to the interests and priorities of our Indigenous partners.
This is just a start. We have an ambition to invest well over $1B in Indigenous infrastructure across sectors and regions, and to act as a true partner to Indigenous Peoples in the spirit of reconciliation and for the benefit of many generations.
