Toronto, Ontario – April 11, 2023: Cambium Indigenous Professional Services (CIPS), an Indigenous-owned and operated business, and Aecon Group Inc. (Aecon), have formed the Aecon CIPS Seven Generations (AC7G) joint venture to provide an Indigenous-led solution for scaffolding and related maintenance work in southwestern Ontario. CIPS will hold a majority interest in AC7G, initially operating as a subcontractor to Aecon on existing nuclear projects.
Through these initial projects, AC7G will build capacity and experience for future project pursuits, with plans to expand its offering to provide additional maintenance related services to both nuclear and non-nuclear facilities. AC7G will combine the Indigenous employment, training and planning expertise of CIPS with Aecon's construction and project management capabilities.
The joint venture name, AC7G, is derived from the Anishnaabe roots of CIPS and based on the Indigenous Seventh Generation Principle – to think of the seventh generation coming after you in your words, work and actions, and to remember the seventh generation who came before you. CIPS is a Certified Aboriginal Business with 14 First Nation employees and is located at the Curve Lake First Nation, outside of Peterborough, Ontario. CIPS’ tagline, Our Spirit is What Sets us Apart, reflects its desire to incorporate First Nation benefits into every project.
“I’m proud of our origin story. As a growing First Nation business, our team has extensive knowledge of the energy sector and our First Nation team members are well educated in nuclear systems,” said Michael Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer, CIPS. “We look forward to working with Aecon and establishing our company as a reliable, trusted supplier in this space; creating opportunities for seven generations to come while making a difference today.”
“Aecon is committed to collaboratively seeking meaningful ways to work together with Indigenous Peoples and this partnership will support sustainable employment and economic advancement in Indigenous communities,” said Thomas Clochard, Executive Vice President, Nuclear & Civil, Aecon. “We look forward to working with our partner and building on our shared values to help create lasting benefits for future generations – providing an Indigenous-led solution for clients in Ontario’s nuclear sector.”
Aecon’s vision statement in its Reconciliation Action Plan is to help advance reconciliation and co-create opportunities that provide sustainable and beneficial relationships aligned with the priorities and objectives of Indigenous Peoples. Aecon is recognized by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Businesses (CCAB) as an Aboriginal Procurement Champion and is a committed company in the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) certification program.
About Cambium Indigenous Professional Services
Cambium Indigenous Professional Services (CIPS) is an Indigenous-owned and operated corporation, located on the Curve Lake First Nation, outside of Peterborough, Ontario. CIPS works on projects that primarily impact Indigenous clients and associated organizations, bringing extensive experience and involvement in the development of Indigenous and community engagement strategies, community energy plans, supporting First Nation communities in the energy sector, and tying corporate Canada’s reconciliation efforts to meaningful projects and outcomes for First Nation people and communities. CIPS is a Certified Aboriginal Business through the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) and is registered with the federal government’s Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB) Indigenous Business Directory. To connect with CIPS, visit www.indigenousaware.com.
About Aecon
Aecon Group Inc. (TSX: ARE) is a national Canadian construction and infrastructure development company with global experience and is proud to be recognized as one of the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada. Aecon delivers integrated solutions to private and public-sector clients through its Construction segment in the Civil, Urban Transportation, Nuclear, Utility and Industrial sectors, and provides project development, financing, investment and management services through its Concessions segment. Join our online community on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @AeconGroupInc.
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