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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]4. A NEW ERA OF POSITIVE INDIGENOUS-CANADIAN RELATIONS IS UPON US: At GLOBE, I had the great opportunity to moderate a panel of dynamic leaders working towards a new Indigenous-business accord. The new young dynamic leaders coming from Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities are impressive. Specifically, I’d like to give a shout out to Carol Ann Hilton, CEO of Transformation, and Caleb Behn, Lands Director for West Moberly First Nations, and Executive Director of Keeper of the Water Society.
The courts as well as the Truth and Reconciliation Council Report Recommendations—which are being fully adopted by the federal government—have made it abundantly clear that we are in a new era of Indigenous-Canadian partnership. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau statement that “it is time for a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations peoples, one that understands that the constitutionally guaranteed rights of First Nations in Canada are not an inconvenience but rather a sacred obligation,” gives us a good sense of where we are headed—and it is about time. Innovative businesses, like ATCO, have realized that their energy projects are better planned and more profitable when they have meaningful and equitable partnerships with First Nations communities. Understanding and acknowledging free, prior and informed consent will be a critical piece of Canada’s resource development agenda. As a non-Indigenous Canadian, I am committed to help usher in this new era.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″]
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5. LIKE MY MAMA ALWAYS SAID “WASTE NOT WANT NOT”: At GLOBE, I was struck by our energy and material waste. A zero-waste circular economy is valued at $5.9 trillion CAD according to the National Zero Waste Council, and right now this value is being carelessly discarded. It is so important that we refocus our efforts on design, conservation and efficiency—there is so much value there. Many companies already understand this. For example, Interface has seen $500 million in savings from waste efficiency since 1995. Rio Tinto has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the aluminium industry, with almost 80 per cent of its power coming from non-fossil fuel based sources. The company is leveraging this to get price premiums and to gain market advantage over its competitors. CN has found over $10 million in energy and waste savings through their employee engagement and sustainability program.
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This money is being reinvested in employee conservation and efficiency efforts via a $5 million revolving fund. Many progressive companies are starting to understand that sustainability is a profitable endeavour and that waste in their products and services is costing them money. One of the most interesting things I heard at GLOBE was from Nicole Hagerman Miller, Managing Director, Biomimicry, when she said “our ecosystem provides us with 3.8 billion years of free research and development.” We should really take advantage of this to redesign the way we do business and eliminate waste once and for all.
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