BC Works community

BC Works communities

There are a total of 4 First Nations in the Kitimat/Terrace area, and twelve First Nations’ traditional territories in the watershed near our operations.

In 2010, we signed the Haisla Legacy Agreement, establishing a collaborative working arrangement with the Haisla Nation for the next 30 years. Current focus areas include procurement, environmental protocols and employment, including contracts and permitting related to the Kemano T2 Project. We work closely with the Haisla community to ensure these focus areas remain relevant, continuing to define how we work together including prioritising First Nation businesses for contracting and employment opportunities.

Since 2000, we have been collaborating with the Cheslatta Carrier Nation on initiatives ranging from land and forest management, to competitive contracting and reservoir stewardship projects. In 2017, with our support, the Cheslatta opened the Remote Industry Training Centre, to build a workforce to work on projects across a range of industries. In 2012, we returned 12,000 acres of land to the Cheslatta Nation which has led to a renewed protocol agreement. 

The geographical size of the Nechako reservoir touches many First Nations including those who are not directly adjacent to it. Currently we also have protocol agreements with the Nee Tai Buhn and Skin Tyee communities.

BC Works Communities and Social Performance report

We are committed to reporting community operational indicators annually to stakeholders through our annual BC Works Communities and Social Performance report (replacing the Sustainability Report).

The BC Works Communities and Social Performance report focuses on the Communities and Social Performance Standard (2022), with the detailed version available online or as a high level downloadable 2-page summary report. The links can be found below. 

We welcome your feedback to help us adapt future reports to ensure we are meeting your interests and enquiries on communities and social performance work.

BC Works Communities and Social Performance report 2023
BC Works Communities and Social Performance Report 2023 - summary report
PDF
1.03 MB

We recognise and respect the significance of the cultural heritage of our host communities, and ensure cultural heritage management systems are incorporated into all of our business activities and operations. For example, both the Cheslatta Nation and Haisla Nation have shared cultural awareness training with our employees. These interactive sessions aim to strengthen the partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, and to teach our employees about the people who lived on the territory before our operations existed. An example of this learning process is the use of blankets arranged on the floor to represent the land. As employees step across the blankets, they take on the roles of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people – and explore their history, language and stories of Canada's Indigenous people.

Finally, the Kitimat Public Advisory Committee (KPAC), which comprises more than 20 community organisations, including the District of Kitimat, Haisla Nation, Unifor 2301, Kitimat Chamber of Commerce and Ministry of Environment, serves as a source of community information on our operations, and conversely, ensures that community voices are heard and considered in BC Works decision making. Access KPAC meeting minutes and presentations.

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Rio Tinto Aluminium Canada Fund

The Rio Tinto Aluminium Canada Fund was set up in 2008 to support the communities where we operate. We have contributed over C$10 million annually through First Nations initiatives, as well as health, education, youth, and environment programmes. For instance, since 2011, as partners with the Breakfast Club of Canada, we have contributed nearly C$1 million to support breakfast programmes for schools in Kitimat and Nechako watershed regions. There are now 14 breakfast programmes feeding almost 1,000 students every school morning in our communities in the region.

Sourcing locally 

In 2023, we spent C$281 million in British Columbia towards contracts and services, and contributed over C$517 million to the provincial economy. We work with local and Indigenous communities to ensure community members and affiliated businesses benefit from project opportunities.

Community feedback process

We believe that by listening to our communities and considering their feedback, our operations and relationships can be improved. Whether it is a concern you have, or important feedback or suggestions for us, we encourage you to share it with us by contacting one of our local offices or emailing us.

Any feedback requiring action will be investigated internally to determine the appropriate resolution. We are also committed to maintaining open channels of communication, and will ensure that all those that provide feedback receive a response as to how it has been considered. 

We will respond to feedback within 48 hours of receipt.

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Have your say about Rio Tinto BC Works

We are working with global research company, Voconiq, to deliver a community engagement initiative called Local Voices. If you are aged 18 years or older and live or work near the Rio Tinto BC Works operations, we would love for you to provide your feedback through the 100% confidential Local Voices survey that Voconiq is conducting on our behalf.  

Your feedback will help us engage with the issues that matter most to you and your community. You will also be supporting your local community as every survey completed earns donations for local community groups.

Local Voices is open from 7 October through to 8 November 2024.
Nechako Reservoir, BC Works

Nechako Reservoir

The Nechako Reservoir provides stable, low cost, green hydro-electric power to energise the Kitimat smelter
Photo of employee talking to the chief in the Mafindou community near Beyla, Guinea

Communities

We know our operations can have far-reaching impacts on society

Contact Kitimat community office

PO Box 1800

1 Smeltersite Road

Kitimat BC V8C 2H2, Canada

E: BC Works Enquiries

T: +1 250 639 8383