Our Reconciliation Strategy
FortisBC is proud to share its first Reconciliation Strategy. We are committed to providing updates as we advance this important work. Informed by valuable feedback and with Reconciliation as a core priority, our approach is built around four strategic pillars. Each pillar includes clear actions and measures to guide our progress and ensure accountability throughout this journey.
At the heart of our Strategy is a commitment to collaboration with Indigenous communities and organizations—building relationships grounded in trust, respect, and reciprocity. We will engage in open dialogue, co-create solutions, and support initiatives that reflect Indigenous perspectives, priorities, and leadership.
Our four pillars of Reconciliation
- Understanding and respecting Indigenous environmental stewardship
- Honouring and supporting cultural practices
- Advancing economic Reconciliation through inclusion
- Supporting employment, culture of belonging and social well-being
Looking ahead, we are committed to engaging, listening, and learning from Nations on their unique processes concerning Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). We recognize that each community may have a dynamic and evolving approach to FPIC, rooted in traditional customs, protocols, and cultures. Our role is to collaborate and learn so we can work together with a shared understanding.
As a critical energy provider serving a large and diverse region, we recognize that progress will look different across communities and may advance at different paces. What remains constant is our understanding that Reconciliation is a continuous journey —one that calls for learning, growth, and sustained effort over time. This Strategy reflects that understanding. It will continue to develop though ongoing reflection, collaboration, and shared learning as we move forward together.
Reconciliation Strategy pillars
FortisBC recognizes the connection to land that Indigenous Peoples have held since time immemorial and their stewardship of the land.
We seek to understand and respect stewardship and land rights through the following:
- Engage early and meaningfully to gather local Indigenous knowledge and build joint understanding, trust, and shared predictability.
- Learn about applicable Indigenous protocols around water, lands, environment, cultural and heritage resources which intersect with FortisBC business and operations.
- Listen to Indigenous communities on what initiatives support land restoration efforts.
- Collaborate with First Nations on archaeological discoveries unearthed by FortisBC or our Contractors.
We acknowledge and respect the diversity of First Nations and the deep connection between Indigenous peoples, the land and their cultural identity and expression.
We seek to honour and support cultural practices through the following:
- Build and maintain respectful and mutually beneficial relationships.
- Host and support events and activities for FortisBC employees and contractors that center on Indigenous worldviews and cultural expressions, led by Indigenous leaders, speakers and teachers.
- Respectfully incorporate Indigenous languages and place names, artwork, signage, and ceremony into new and existing FortisBC facilities.
- Celebrate and honour Indigenous days of significance across the organization.
- Through our community investment program3, provide funding for programming which promotes cultural and socio-economic priorities of Indigenous communities and peoples.
FortisBC believes in standing with Indigenous communities to build respectful relationships. By listening and working together, we can develop opportunities that reflect Indigenous energy priorities, support economic growth and create business certainty for FortisBC and its customers.
We seek to advance economic Reconciliation through the following:
- Seek opportunities to collaborate with First Nation communities on projects or programs that create shared economic benefits for the communities and our customers.
- Engage on the capacity, resources and support required for the successful negotiation and implementation of project agreements.
- Collaborate with First Nations and Indigenous organizations to work to meet communities’ energy needs, support of economic development and jointly explore opportunities to reduce barriers to connect or expand service to interested First Nation communities.
- Advance FortisBC’s socio-economic impact and Indigenous supply chain initiatives to promote transparent access to opportunities and actively participate in FortisBC’s supply chain.
- Provide dedicated energy efficiency and conservation programs and funding5 to Indigenous communities and organizations to take steps to enhance community infrastructure and reduce energy costs for these FortisBC gas and electric customers.
FortisBC’s Culture of Belonging is our commitment to an organizational culture that promotes an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. We recognize the importance of Indigenous awareness training and cultural awareness training to support cultural competency and Reconciliation.
We seek to support Indigenous employment and belonging through the following:
- Strengthen and expand Indigenous employment initiatives at FortisBC. Support fair and equitable access to employment and career development within FortisBC companies for Indigenous Peoples.
- Support the Indigenous Employee Circle (IEC), a group of FortisBC employees who identify as Indigenous or allies. The mission of the IEC is to foster inclusion, connectivity, and knowledge sharing and to support unique experiences of Indigenous employees.
- Prioritize the need for awareness and education for our employees about the history and past and current experiences of Indigenous Peoples. Ensure Indigenous awareness and Indigenous-led training is ongoing throughout the careers of FortisBC employees and provide Nation-led training for employees and contractors working throughout FortisBC’s service area.
- Specifically include training and awareness on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice and the steps that can be taken in order to combat violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people as outlined in Section 15 of the Calls to Justice.
Moving forward together toward Reconciliation
As a provider of critical energy services for nearly 1.3 million homes and businesses in British Columbia, FortisBC acknowledges its responsibility not only to meet the critical energy needs of our customers, but also to actively contribute to Reconciliation. The commitments outlined in this Reconciliation Strategy reflect our dedication to building respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and advancing equity through meaningful action.
We understand that each Nation has unique histories, priorities, and needs. While we may not be able to meet every expectation, we are committed to working collaboratively and continuously toward meaningful progress. Successful implementation of this Reconciliation Strategy will require coordinated efforts across the organization. Senior leadership, supported by a cross-functional working group, will play a key role in driving execution, monitoring progress, and ensuring accountability. Reporting to executive leadership, this team will oversee governance, reporting, and conduct regular evaluations to keep our actions aligned with our Reconciliation goals.
Collaboration and continuous progress
Recognizing that Reconciliation is a continuous journey, this Strategy is designed to evolve through reflection, collaboration, and learning. The committee will track progress, assess outcomes, identify gaps, and recommend improvements to maintain its relevance and effectiveness over time.
FortisBC remains committed to sharing progress through periodic updates on our website and engaging meaningfully with Indigenous Nations. Through continued collaboration, open communication, and sustained effort, we aim to build strong, long-term partnerships that support shared goals and mutual progress.
1UN Declaration Articles 4, 9, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32 and 40
2UN Declaration Articles 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 24, 25 and 32
3Funding is subject to periodic review and approval by the British
Columbia Utilities Commission.
4UN Declaration Articles 4, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 26, 32 and 40, and TRC Recommendation 92.
5Funding is subject to periodic review and approval by the British Columbia Utilities
Commission.
6UN Declaration Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, 21, 22 and 34, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice, and TRC Recommendation 92.
