Indigenous Advisory Committee

The Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) was established in August 2020. Its inaugural meeting was held in September 2020.

Mandate

Under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) must establish an advisory committee for the purpose of enhancing involvement of the Indigenous peoples of Canada and Indigenous organizations in respect of CER-regulated pipelines, power lines and offshore renewable energy projects as well as abandoned pipelines.

The Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) is an integral part of the CER’s formal governance structure and works directly with the Board of Directors. The establishment of the IAC is a key part of the CER’s commitment to advance reconciliation. The overarching mandate of the IAC is to advise the Board on how the CER can build a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples.

The IAC plays a key advisory role to the Board on how best to enhance the involvement of Indigenous peoples and organizations in respect of CER-regulated infrastructure and other matters. The IAC advises on the integration of Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, teachings, values, use of the land and water, oral traditions, and worldviews , throughout the regulatory lifecycle. The IAC helps the Board “raise the bar” when shaping the organization’s strategy related to integrating Indigenous rights, interests and values into the CER’s work and processes

Role

The IAC provides advice, from the diversity of its Members’ Indigenous perspectives, to the Board of Directors. IAC Members:

• Contribute strategic advice and perspective on how the CER can make meaningful progress towards reconciliation in Canada;
• Promote opportunities for positive systemic change through building and strengthening new relationships with the Board and CER staff;
• Leverage their experience with the energy and/or natural resource sector in providing advice; and
• Share Indigenous values and teachings as a respected voice of their communities, so the IAC and CER can learn from each other and integrate Indigenous perspectives in the CER’s strategies, plans and actions.

The IAC does not deal with specific CER-regulated projects, detailed operational matters or regulatory decision-making, nor does it provide advice on any particular decision, order or recommendation that is made by the CER Commission.

In accordance with the IAC’s foundation statement, as set out in the Terms of Reference, all of the work and advice of the IAC will be grounded in advancing reconciliation by helping to transform the relationship between the CER and the Indigenous peoples of Canada and bring a broader perspective to the CER reflecting the worldviews of First Nations, the Métis Nation and Inuit. The UN Declaration, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action, and the Principles Respecting the Government of Canada's Relationship with Indigenous peoples will form the foundation and provide the roadmap for this work.

Additional details on the guiding principles, goals and mandate of the IAC, as well as its governance and operations, can be found in the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

Membership

The IAC is led by a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson selected by the IAC. Three IAC Members are directly nominated by national Indigenous organizations: the Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. For the remaining IAC members, the CER put out an invitation for expressions of interest. The Board selected these members, taking into account Canada’s diversity of Indigenous Nations and communities, languages, genders, geographies, skills and expertise.

Date modified:

2023-03-29