TORONTO — International credit rating agency Morningstar DBRS is predicting significant growth in Indigenous-related project finance transactions in Canada.

The agency says Indigenous-related capital markets activity is on a steady upward trend with considerable potential for more.

It says lack of access to capital at reasonable rates has been a key barrier to Indigenous peoples’ ability to participate in the economy, but government financing programs are starting to move the needle.

Morningstar DBRS pegs the value of Indigenous financing activity, including government loan guarantees, at almost $800 million annually over the past five years.

It also points out there are several high-profile transactions involving Indigenous communities on the horizon, including Ottawa’s planned sale of the Trans Mountain pipeline to Indigenous groups, TC Energy Corp.’s planned sale of its NGTL pipeline system to an Indigenous consortium, and the development of the Cedar LNG project by the Haisla Nation and Pembina Pipeline Corp.

The agency says facilitating Indigenous participation in the broader economy has the potential to increase Indigenous support for major project developments, drive increased business investment and spur economic growth.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2024.

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The Canadian Press