In November, ATB Financial and MNP partnered to release a report titled, “Opening the door to opportunity: reporting on the economic contribution of Indigenous Peoples in Alberta.”

The report showcases the economic impact of Indigenous governments, businesses and households across the province.

Key takeaways from the report include:

• The GDP generated by the Indigenous economy was equivalent to approximately two percent of Alberta’s total GDP in 2019.
• Indigenous Peoples are the fastest growing population in Alberta with a total combined household income of $7.5 billion.
• In 2019, spending by Indigenous governments in Alberta was estimated to be approximately $1.72 billion, of which $510 million was paid to households as wages, salaries and benefits. The remaining $1.07 billion was spent on goods and services.
• In 2019 there were estimated to be more than 1,700 Indigenous-owned businesses located on-reserve and 1,350 Indigenous-owned businesses were estimated to be located off-reserve. The top three sectors of Indigenous-owned businesses were construction; professional, scientific and technical services; and mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction.

The report concludes that “increasing Indigenous participation in the labour market, increasing Indigenous entrepreneurship and supporting the growth of Indigenous-owned businesses” in an effort to close the employment and income gap for Indigenous Peoples “would make a significant contribution to the long-term growth and prosperity of Alberta.”

For more information or to download the full report, click here.