Indigenous Equity Opportunities
We are committed to supporting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in fostering sustainable economic growth and building community wealth that supports essential programs and services for their members while protecting their rights and territories.
Support to build economic development and wealth creation
Navigating investment decisions and business opportunities is complex. It’s not just about finding the right deal — it’s about ensuring strong project management, clear communication, and transparency, backed by the capacity to see it through. Thorough due diligence and background checks are crucial to validate opportunities and safeguard your interests. Understanding tax implications also helps prevent costly surprises. After the deal closes, ongoing support is key to ensuring long-term stability and success. A comprehensive, strategic approach helps drive informed decisions with consistency and efficiency.
MNP provides a full suite of integrated services to help clients navigate the evolving landscape of economic development. With a deep understanding of cultural sensitivities and economic realities, we collaborate with clients to provide value-added insights and guidance at every stage of the project lifecycle — from preliminary due diligence and financial analysis to deal structuring, tax advisory services, and ongoing corporate governance. Through our Capital Markets group, we support clients in accessing capital and navigating government programs. Whether supporting an Indigenous community in structuring a joint venture or guiding a group of communities in acquiring an equity stake in a multi-billion-dollar project, we’re committed to building lasting ventures that drive sustainable success for generations to come.
What’s your challenge?
Capacity constraints
These projects often require significant time, knowledge, and resources — demands that can stretch even the most well-prepared teams. Balancing project management with day-to-day responsibilities leaves little room for strategic focus..
Negotiation support
Securing equitable agreements requires experience in navigating legal, financial, and cultural complexities. Without the right guidance, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most — achieving business terms that create long-term value for all involved.
Ongoing corporate governance
Effective corporate governance is needed to protect your interests and ensure that your investments remain stable and profitable. Building governance frameworks help secure the longevity of your ventures.k.
Access to capital
Indigenous communities may face difficulty accessing capital to buy into partnerships for infrastructure opportunities. If you are unable to raise enough capital, your community may need to seek debt financing opportunities, which require additional debt structuring considerations.
How we can help
Financial and technical capacity
Our team provides tailored financial planning, capital strategies, and project management support. Through skilled facilitation, we bring the right people together to solve problems, make informed decisions, and advance opportunities. We proactively manage risks and maintain clear, consistent communication.
Commercial negotiations and creating agreements
From Impact Benefit Agreements (IBAs) to joint ventures and Sovereign Wealth Funds, MNP’s Corporate Finance team provides strategic advice on the business terms of commercial agreements. We help review and structure deals to protect your interests and create long-term value — drawing on deep experience with billions in negotiated transactions.
Corporate governance
Effective corporate governance is key to maintaining stability and profitability in the businesses you invest in. We support Indigenous communities in establishing the right structures to strengthen governance frameworks — from boards to management practices — to help secure the longevity of your ventures and enhance decision-making processes.
Investment evaluation
Identify the right opportunities with a clear understanding of value, risk, and return on investment. Our Corporate Finance team assesses deals to determine how well they align with your community’s goals and support existing businesses secure the capital needed to grow.
There are various loan guarantee programs and navigating them can be tricky. The program announced by the Government of Canada will provide Indigenous governments and communities access to affordable capital. Loans will be provided by financial institutions or other lenders and guaranteed by the Government of Canada. This means that the borrower would benefit from the government's AAA credit ratings, delivering a lower interest rate than is available to most borrowers.
Indigenous equity participation in major infrastructure projects gives communities a seat at the table, enhancing the trust and collaboration that comes with co-ownership and ensuring projects are operated and built with a solid foundation.
The governments of Ontario and Alberta have been supporting Indigenous equity investment and ownership through targeted programs since 2009 and 2019, respectively, with Saskatchewan following suit in 2021.
Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Fund (AIOC)
Ontario Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program (ALGP)
Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation (SIIFC)
The Government of British Columbia announced in its 2024 Budget and Fiscal Plan that it will implement a provincial $1 billion First Nations Equity Financing Framework.
A due diligence process is crucial to ensure the investment is economically viable, commercially sound, and aligns with the community’s priorities. It is also important to verify the partners’ legitimacy and good standing.
Engaging the services of MNP Corporate Finance to perform due diligence activities and financial analysis will be essential to ensuring that communities make informed decisions as they navigate the transaction process.
Before moving forward, it’s important to assess the opportunity carefully to ensure it aligns with your community’s long-term goals. Engaging an advisor like MNP can help you navigate the complexities of these opportunities. Our team will work with you to analyze the deal, evaluate potential partners, and assess risks and returns.
MNP provides a range of services to support our clients as they navigate the complexities of economic development opportunities. This ranges from preliminary due diligence, financial analysis, and deal structuring to tax advisory, explaining the transaction process your community could expect, and ongoing corporate governance.
Our advisory experience includes:
- The Duty to Consult
- Due diligence and background checks
- Corporate Finance:
- Preliminary and in-depth Investment evaluation
- Debt and equity financial modelling
- Access debt and equity
- Corporate structuring
- Negotiation support
- Developing investment strategies to target and pursue equity investments
- Navigating loan guarantee programs
- Financial strategy
- Strategic advice
- Tax structuring
- Corporate governance
- Project managementDebt and equity financial modelling
- Advocacy and government relations
Deal experience
Our team of advisors works closely with you to ensure that each opportunity aligns with your community’s values, goals, and long-term vision. Explore how we’ve helped Indigenous communities achieve success in economic participation through our previous client experiences.
Contact our Indigenous Services Team
Kevin George CPA, CA
Business Advisor, Oil & Gas, Indigenous Services Provincial Director (AB, YT, NT & NU), Indigenous Services
Kevin George, CPA, CA Provincial Director (AB & NWT), Indigenous Services is a Partner in MNP's Assurance Services group in Edmonton. He advises and conducts audits for large organizations and public companies.
Following Canadian Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, Kevin thoroughly reviews financial statements and business records, conducting in-depth analyses to identify irregularities and recommend solutions. Kevin also applies his extensive knowledge to develop, implement and improve internal controls that help his clients successfully achieve growth and operate more efficiently.
Kevin is quick to understand the unique needs of his clients and deliver practical, efficient and effective solutions. He assists large operations in all industries with review engagements, compilation engagements, tax preparation and tax planning and serves as a link to MNP’s many specialty services.
Before joining MNP, Kevin worked as a Chief Financial Officer for a large division of a public company and with another major accounting firm. He was designated a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2003 after completing a Masters of Professional Accounting at the University of Saskatchewan that same year.
Deana Morton CPA, CGA, FEA
National Leader, Indigenous Tax Services
Contact our Indigenous Services Team
You have a vision for your future. We’re here to help you get there. Take the first step and connect with us to learn more.