Infrastructure Investment Can Unlock Economic Reconciliation: Ontario Chamber Report

(TORONTO – November 27, 2025) – Ontario’s Indigenous communities face an infrastructure gap that threatens economic reconciliation, according to a new report from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB).

The fourth and final report in the A Way Forward series, titled Lands and Infrastructure: Ontario’s Path Towards Economic Reconciliation, Equity, and Inclusive Growth, highlights the urgent needs for housing, clean water, roads, healthcare, and broadband, and provides actionable solutions for governments and businesses.

“Building infrastructure in Indigenous communities is both an obligation and an opportunity,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “The right investments can enable full economic participation, strengthen community resilience, and foster inclusive growth that benefits all Ontarians.”

Key recommendations include:

• Embed Indigenous leadership in infrastructure planning to respect community values and ensure long-term sustainability.
• Support community-led environmental oversight to build trust and promote responsible development.
• Expand access to housing, clean water, roads, and high-speed internet through inclusive funding and public-private partnerships.
• Apply the Four R’s—Respect, Responsibility, Reciprocity, Renewal—as principles for ethical engagement.
• Leverage resources such as UNDRIP, FPIC, the Duty to Consult, and Impact Benefit Agreements to guide collaboration and reduce project risk.

A Way Forward series builds on the foundational work of Sharing Prosperity: An Introduction to Building Relationships for Economic Reconciliation in Ontario, and aligns with the National Indigenous Economic Strategy and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92.

OCC and CCIB thank their Indigenous Advisory Committee, the CCIB Research team, and lead partners Hydro One, BMO, Bruce Power, CN, and Meridian, along with presenting partner Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and supporting partners BDC and Ontario Power Generation.

To read A Way Forward: Lands and Infrastructure, visit here.

-30-

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC convenes, mobilizes, and empowers business and local chambers in pursuit of its purpose: to bring inclusive and sustainable prosperity to Ontario’s businesses, workers, and communities.

About Canadian Council for Indigenous Business

CCIB is committed to the full participation of Indigenous peoples in Canada’s economy. As a national, non-partisan association, its mission is to promote, strengthen and enhance a prosperous Indigenous economy through the fostering of business relationships, opportunities, and awareness. CCIB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to its members to cultivate economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples and businesses across Canada. For more information, visit www.ccib.ca

For more information, please contact:

Andrea Carmona
Senior Manager of Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 234-0255