Indigenous-related capital markets activity set to grow significantly: report – National [Video]

Canada is poised to see significant growth in Indigenous-related project financing, international credit rating agency Morningstar DBRS said Monday.

In a report released on the fourth annual national day for Truth and Reconciliation, the credit rating agency said Indigenous-related capital markets activity is on a steady upward trend with “considerable potential” for more.

“We have seen a gradual increase in capital markets activity by Indigenous-related organizations and we anticipate this segment of financing will grow significantly in the coming years, supported by increased federal and provincial government guarantees and other forms of support,” the Morningstar report states.

Indigenous communities across Canada are showing growing interest in acquiring equity positions in major projects and infrastructure as a way to generate revenue and economic opportunity for their people.

But historically, one of the biggest barriers preventing Indigenous partners from pursuing equity ownership has been a lack of access to capital. Canada’s Indian Act prohibits …