AFOA, CIB and TD partner on Indigenous infrastructure

OTTAWA — The Canada Infrastructure Bank, AFOA Canada and TD Bank Group have partnered on a new initiative to boost Indigenous communities’ ability to manage large infrastructure projects.

The three organizations will develop a project financing certification program, a news release states.

The program was developed by AFOA and will be sponsored by CIB and TD.

“Many Indigenous communities are on a journey from the management of poverty to the management of socio-economic prosperity and that requires the development of new knowledge and skills,” said Terry Goodtrack, president and chief executive of AFOA Canada, in the release.

“Our organization supports the professionals overseeing that journey and the certification will provide the development of those skills.”

The infrastructure deficit across First Nations in Canada is between $25 to $30 billion, according to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships.

AFOA is a 23-year-old organization that focuses on the development and needs of Indigenous professionals working in all areas of management, finance, band administration, leadership and program management.