October 2012 1 Overview MTOs Aboriginal Relations Branch - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

October 2012 1

Overview • MTO’s Aboriginal Relations Branch • Aboriginal Procurement Pilot Project

ARB’s Mission The Aboriginal Relations Branch fosters the spirit of the Ministry of Transportation’s new relationship with First Nations, Métis and Inuit people that is built on a foundation of respect, fulfilling our obligations and upholding the honour of the Crown. We are committed to supporting and contributing to all facets of MTO business and Ontario’s world -class transportation system by fostering constructive and cooperative relationships, based on both OPS and Aboriginal values. 3

The Strategic Framework 4

Our Four Directions The Aboriginal Relations Branch will support ministerial goals, priorities and business lines through these Four Directions: Building MTO & Aboriginal Capacity (Build) • Takes the lead in educating and sensitizing the ministry on First Nations, Métis and Inuit people; • Builds ministry capacity to work collaboratively with First Nations and Aboriginal organizations by instilling a new way of doing business with Aboriginal people; • Facilitates capacity building among Aboriginal organizations. 5

Our Four Directions Contribute to Broader Goals (Contribute) • Contribute to MTO and OPS Aboriginal goals as well as the mutual goals of Aboriginal communities; • Developing strategies to facilitate Aboriginal economic opportunities in the transportation sector; • Developing of a strategic plan to engage Aboriginal communities in long range planning and transportation infrastructure design; • Leading inter-ministerial participation in broader Aboriginal policy work. 6

Our Four Directions Aboriginal Engagement (Engage) • Develop and implement a new, values- based approach to relationship building by facilitating contact with Aboriginal communities; • Opening doors for MTO staff through positive, respectful and proactive engagement of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Aboriginal communities.

Our Four Directions Strategic Advice and Facilitation (Respond) • To support strategic initiatives and day-to- day MTO business by providing strategic advice and facilitation on specific projects and operational issues. • In areas where there have been difficult relations, we will work to educate and re- establish trust.

Aboriginal Procurement Pilot Project Aboriginal Procurement Pilot approved in February 2012 for a 2-year term  Enables ministries to use Aboriginal procurement measures to:  enhance participation of Aboriginal businesses in public procurement;  advance Aboriginal economic and business development;  promote partnership opportunities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal  businesses . Aboriginal procurement measures can be considered when the goods or  services being procured: significantly impact/benefit for Aboriginal people or communities;  are culturally specific to Aboriginal people; and/or,  are primarily designated for Aboriginal people (i.e. procurements involving  a program/policy for Aboriginal people).

Aboriginal Procurement Methods There are three (3) types of Aboriginal Procurement Methods: Aboriginal Business Set-Aside , Aboriginal Business Participation , and Evaluation Criteria . 1. Aboriginal Business Set-Aside: Set aside a procurement opportunity for competition among only  qualified Aboriginal businesses; or Engaging one Aboriginal business directly  To be used when there is sufficient capacity in the Aboriginal vendor  community to meet the requirements of the procurement 10

Aboriginal Procurement Methods (Cont’d) 2. Aboriginal Business Participation:  Accommodating voluntary or mandatory criteria into procurement opportunities to encourage sub-contracting opportunities with qualified Aboriginal businesses specific allocation of spend – or a percentage of the work to be  completed by an Aboriginal business requirements of the procurement opportunity to be completed by  Aboriginal business to be used when there may be insufficient capacity or lack of  competition within the Aboriginal vendor community 11

Aboriginal Procurement Methods (Cont’d) 3. Evaluation Criteria: Include mandatory or optional rated requirements in procurement documents  for vendors to demonstrate particular experience Ministries can also consider including a provision that would award a contact in  the event of a tie (e.g. favoring Aboriginal consideration as part of the process) Certain criteria could include:  training programs for Aboriginal people  a human resources strategy to increase Aboriginal employment  a significant Aboriginal workforce (e.g., over 1/3 of their workforce)  partnerships with Aboriginal businesses, communities, organizations  sub-contracting opportunities for Aboriginal businesses within general  procurements 12

Potential Examples MTO  Potential examples at MTO include:  construction services (e.g. products/services related to construction/maintenance of a road in or near an Aboriginal community).  environmental and archaeological assessment services (e.g. studies related to a project in or near an Aboriginal community).  land surveying and mapping services (e.g. land surveying and mapping required primarily in or near an Aboriginal community).  mining exploration, development and supplies (e.g. for activity primarily on or near an Aboriginal community).  consulting and management services (e.g. research studies focusing on Aboriginal communities or population).  MTO actively encourages First Nation businesses, and in particular, joint ventures and partnerships willing to bid on provincial highways projects, to ensure they are registered with the MAA Aboriginal Business Directory.

Questions • For questions around the application and scope of the Aboriginal Procurement Pilot please contact Real Bouchard of the Aboriginal Relations Branch at (807) 473-2139