New Report from EHRC – Lighting the Path: Labour Market Dynamics in the Energy Transition of Indigenous Communities
February 24, 2025
Released as part of EHRC’s Award of Excellence event this month, Lighting the Path is a labour market study that aims to collaborate with and learn from Indigenous communities to create a sustainable and inclusive energy future that aligns with their traditional values and aspirations. This study focuses on understanding the workforce capacity in rural and remote Indigenous communities to participate in zero to low-carbon energy transition activities.
Indigenous Peoples, especially those in remote areas reliant on diesel fuel, are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. For decades, they have been on the frontlines of this crisis, raising alarms to their respective governments. Achieving Canada’s net-zero objectives necessitates effective collaboration with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in northern and rural regions. One of the key challenges in achieving energy transition objectives in these areas is addressing the significant structural issues in the labour market.
Purpose and Goals
In addition to carrying out extensive secondary research, this important study involves conducting focus groups and administering surveys in Indigenous communities.
The information acquired in the research will enable EHRC to:
- Learn about the nature, scope and economics of energy infrastructure (i.e., generation, transmission, distribution) within Indigenous communities
- Better understand the communities’ historical consumption and production of power, focusing on usage patterns, fuel sources and cost structures
- Understand the current economic and labour market impacts and the distributional implications of the communities’ electricity market, as it currently operates
- Examine the communities’ past efforts and current level of interest in transitioning away from the use of fossil fuels to cleaner forms of power
- Assess the capacity of the local/regional educational system, communal structures and labour market to support such an energy transition
- Identify the most impactful sustainable energy initiatives that closely align with Indigenous values and practices
Go HERE for more information and download the report
