New practice to lead transformational change alongside Indigenous Peoples and Nations, governments, and corporations on the path to nation-building and economic empowerment

Nationtalk: Toronto – Today, Deloitte Canada is launching Nation Building, a new capability to create an equitable, prosperous, and thriving economy nationwide. The Nation Building group at Deloitte will serve Indigenous Peoples and Nations on their journey to economic empowerment and self-governance, and act as integrators, facilitators, and advisors to governments and corporations, which play a critical role in advancing nation-building.

Deloitte’s new Indigenous-led approach will support First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in developing innovative solutions focusing on governance, economic development, natural resources, and community infrastructure. It will ensure Indigenous Peoples and Nations have a leading role in the economy, propelling Indigenous businesses forward, while advancing reconciliation efforts.

“At Deloitte, through our Reconciliation Action Plan, we are committed to enhancing reconciliation through inclusivity and by empowering Indigenous Peoples and Nations to create economic diversity and achieve equity,” says Anthony Viel, CEO, Deloitte Canada. “We encourage all Canadian corporations to get involved and seize the opportunity to embark on this impactful journey together to catalyse change nationwide and transform our country for generations to come, more specifically by taking targeted action to address labour market barriers for underrepresented and underemployed groups.”

Deloitte’s research shows that by 2030 Indigenous workers will make up 7 percent of the labour force, however they remain systematically underrepresented. Additionally, increased labour participation from underrepresented talent, such as Indigenous Peoples, would increase average real GDP growth by 0.8 percent annually. Indigenous Peoples continue to face systemic barriers on the road to economic independence and in various critical areas such as developing adequate infrastructure, access to healthcare, achieving climate targets, and employment. Despite those challenges, Indigenous Peoples and businesses continue to lead, innovate, and implement Indigenous-led solutions.

Nation Building brings together leaders and change makers across organizations and the public sector to support Indigenous Peoples’ self-governance and economic empowerment objectives. Practice offerings include strategies, solutions, and tailored advisory services to help address key areas of impact, including: Jurisdiction – Governance and Operations; Economic Empowerment – Economic Development & Natural Resources; and Basic Needs – Community Infrastructure. Services include:

• Nations:
  • Governance Assessment and Establishment
  • Administration Advisory
  • Grassroots Solutions to Healthcare, Commercial Development and Strategy, and
  • Infrastructure Advisory
• Governments:
  • Program Design
  • Implementation and Transfer Advisory
  • Funding Strategies, and
  • Contracting, Procurement, and Indigenous Engagement Strategy
• Corporations:
  • Indigenous Partnership and Engagement Strategy and
  • Reconciliation Advancement

“We must be deliberate in our actions to restore trust and repair relationships with Indigenous Peoples and Nations as it is through these relationships that we will be able to support transformational change—both socially and economically,” says Jolain Foster, Managing Partner, Nation Building at Deloitte Canada. “Across the country, prominent Indigenous organizations are seeking investment in infrastructure and require critical support for continued economic growth and development. Only by coming together, we can shift perspective, modernize governance structures, create access to critical funding and grow Nation wealth. This is an unprecedented opportunity to build on our collective reconciliation efforts and move closer toward intergenerational healing and empowerment for all communities.”

Over the past 30 years, Deloitte has served over 250 Nations and worked with more than 270 Indigenous communities, businesses, and organizations across Canada. The firm has taken concrete steps to strengthen trust and rebuild relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples through various initiatives such as the Reconciliation Action Plan, another first in Corporate Canada. The firm’s continued commitment rests on three pillars that are foundational to Nation Building:

• Serving Indigenous Peoples and Nations directly—Offering services to help navigate challenges and harness opportunities related to jurisdiction (governance and operations), economic empowerment (economic development and natural resources), and basic needs (community infrastructure and health).
• Serving Indigenous Peoples and Nations through others—Supporting governments and corporate Canada on their Indigenous priorities and working with them to build relationships and transform the public and private sectors.
• Serving with Indigenous Peoples and Nations—Partnering with Indigenous Peoples and Nations in new ways by creating new Indigenous-led opportunities to support capacity building.

To build on the progress made, Deloitte will leverage existing services and capabilities across the firm to launch Nation Building. Visit deloitte.ca/nation-building for more information.

About Deloitte Canada
Deloitte provides audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax, and related services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Deloitte serves four out of five Fortune Global 500® companies through a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories bringing world-class capabilities, insights, and service to address clients’ most complex business challenges. Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.

Our global Purpose is making an impact that matters. At Deloitte Canada, that translates into building a better future by accelerating and expanding access to knowledge. We believe we can achieve this Purpose by living our shared values to lead the way, serve with integrity, take care of each other, foster inclusion, and collaborate for measurable impact.

To learn more about Deloitte’s approximately 330,000 professionals, over 11,000 of whom are part of the Canadian firm, please connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

Marilyne Plouffe 

Manager, Public Relations 

mplouffe@deloitte.ca
514-393-5471

Marilyne is a manager on Deloitte’s national public relations team. Based in Montreal, she leads the firm’s media relations for the Quebec region. She also supports public relations campaigns for all … More

Lama Nicolas 

Senior Manager, Public Relations

lnicolas@deloitte.ca
437-993-4245

Lama is the Senior Manager on Deloitte’s national public relations team. Lama has more than 15 years of experience as a digital and broadcast journalist and anchor. Based in Toronto, Lama leads the PR… More