Telus launches Indigenous reconciliation plan amid goals for connectivity

Telus Corp. Monday unveiled a program to connect Indigenous communities to its network, in which the company sets out a five-year timeline of goals to be achieved. This year the telecom connected 48 First Nations lands to its broadband network and 382 lands to the 5G grid. The connectivity report lists an aim of connecting 20 additional communities by next year or by 2023. Further goals for 2022 include expansion of the Mobility for Good regime for women at risk; the launch of an Indigenous Community Fund to explore partnerships reflecting First Nations practices; exploring ways to get more Indigenous youth studying technology; set out a procurement policy that allows more support of First Nations business; and a review of policies and practices to better accommodate the unique needs of Indigenous people. To reach its goals, the British Columbia-based firm held 18 sessions with First Nations leaders. The 39-page connectivity report includes the company’s inaugural reconciliation action plan. By 2023, Telus hopes to increase its spending with Indigenous owned businesses by 10 per cent and to develop a regime for attracting and retaining First Nations staff. Goals for 2024 include reaching bronze status for the progressive Aboriginal relations (PAR) program of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and establishing partnerships with five Indigenous communities on agricultural matters. Within five years, the company pledges to contribute a minimum of five per cent of Acts of Good and volunteer hours to First Nations-led events; a minimum of five per cent of social purpose programs supporting Indigenous people and communities; investing seven and a half per cent in First Nations-owned for-profit companies; and developing new agricultural solutions which reflect Aboriginal practices, values and culture. Earlier this month at the Canadian Telecommunications Summit, Telus called for the federal government’s Universal Broadband Fund to separate First Nations connectivity from the broader rural and remote communities goal. Linking the two, as the program now does, does not take into account the distinct nature of Indigenous communities, vice-president of customer network implementation. Shazia Zeb-Sobani said at the summit.

Telus launches Indigenous reconciliation plan amid goals for connectivity

Brief | November 29, 2021

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Telus launches Indigenous reconciliation plan amid goals for connectivity

Brief | November 29, 2021

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