Land acknowledgment
PwC Canada acknowledges that we work and live across Turtle Island, on the land that is now known as Canada, which are the lands of the ancestral, treaty and unceded territories of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
We recognize the systemic racism, colonialism and oppression that Indigenous Peoples have experienced and still go through, and we commit to allyship and solidarity.
Our Reconciliation commitment
With Call to Action #92, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada called on corporate Canada to address the historical injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
As we work towards Reconciliation at PwC Canada, it’s critical for all of us to continue to develop our understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures and peoples and increase our knowledge of past and present relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. We acknowledge that each of us comes to this work from different places of awareness, bringing diverse skills, experiences and understandings.
Truth and Reconciliation is a collective responsibility and a shared journey. We all have a role to play.
“Our purpose at PwC Canada is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We see this purpose reflected in our Indigenous Reconciliation efforts and our commitment to the PAR program. We are determined to fulfill our responsibility as a business leader to make our firm and Canada a place where Indigenous Peoples can thrive for generations to come. It is not just the right thing to do; it is something that we strongly believe in.”
Nicolas Marcoux,CEO and Senior Partner, PwC Canada
Our commitment
At PwC Canada, Indigenous Reconciliation is inherent to our purpose of building trust in society and solving important problems. We commit to fostering mutual respect and driving sustainable change to empower Indigenous communities and citizens. We strive to amplify Indigenous perspectives and contribute meaningfully to a future where our community of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples thrive.
Guiding principles
Guided by the principles of respect, reciprocity and trust—gained through our journey in understanding Indigenous history—PwC Canada will leverage its position in the Canadian economy to contribute positively to a more just and equitable future. We will collaborate with Indigenous Peoples by understanding their historical context, actively recruiting and promoting Indigenous talent, partnering with Indigenous-owned businesses and building strong relationships with Indigenous communities.
A message from the Chair of our Indigenous Reconciliation Advisory Committee
“It is an honour to serve as the Chair of PwC Canada’s Indigenous Reconciliation Advisory Committee. I am a member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, situated in the Outaouais region in the province of Québec. I was born and raised in a Montréal suburb, but I spent most of my summers in my community with my aunts and kokom (Algonquin word for grandmother) learning about traditional food, culture, crafts, stories and language.
It is with great pride that I take on this leadership role, and I am proud of the work we are doing at PwC Canada to advance Reconciliation. I am honoured and grateful for the opportunity to share my insights, and I am looking forward to the contributions we will make and the impact we will have for future generations.”
Jessica Paul
Assurance Partner and Chair, PwC Canada’s Indigenous Reconciliation Advisory Committee
Our Indigenous Reconciliation Advisory Committee
To support this initiative, PwC Canada has established the Indigenous Reconciliation Advisory Committee (IRAC), an internal working group comprised of members from various service lines and regions across Canada and which includes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous representatives. The mandate of the IRAC is to advance the PwC Canada Indigenous Reconciliation Strategy through fostering trusted, collaborative and respectful relations between the PwC Canada community and Indigenous Peoples.
The IRAC contributes subject matter expertise and knowledge of the firm’s working environment, as well as understanding and experience of working with Indigenous communities, organizations and businesses.
The mandate of the IRAC is separate and distinct from that of the Indigenous Inclusion Network (IIN), which is a key stakeholder in the work performed by the IRAC. PwC Canada's Inclusion Networks are employee-driven communities for members and allies to learn about and celebrate diverse cultures.
PwC Canada’s journey towards Truth and Reconciliation
PwC Canada has achieved Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Committed status with the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business.
PwC Canada has shown its commitment to advancing Indigenous economic development, fostering Indigenous employment and learning about Indigenous cultures and traditions by achieving PAR Committed status. Companies that join PAR indicate to communities that they’re reliable business partners, excellent employers and supportive of Indigenous communities' prosperity. Committed companies have their performance verified by an external party. PwC Canada’s PAR Committed status shows our dedication to improving our relations with Indigenous Peoples.
PwC Canada is proud to support the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) through a five-year commitment to host a legacy space in our Vancouver office.
Legacy spaces are safe, welcoming spaces where conversations and education happen about Canada’s history and our collective journey towards Reconciliation. This initiative underscores our dedication to educating our employees and Partners about Canada's full history and our shared path towards Reconciliation. The space serves as a platform for Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals to come together to foster connections and mutual understanding. It also ensures Indigenous perspectives are not only acknowledged but actively celebrated within our workplace environment.
The PwC Canada Indigenous Inclusion Network (IIN) aims to create a community of Indigenous Peoples and allies to share experiences that bring everyday inclusion to life, raise awareness about the rich, diverse and inclusive cultures of Inuit, Métis and First Nation Peoples and be a positive influence on individuals, clients, the firm as a whole and the communities in which we operate and serve.
This employee resource group was formed in 2020 and has been the incubator of many great initiatives, notably:
- Sharing Circles, which provide a safe space for discussion of Indigenous-related topics, such as Indigenous identity, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People, nation building and celebrating allyship
- Annual celebrations during National Indigenous History Month
- Internal mentorship program for Indigenous employees
- Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund legacy space
- Naming select PwC Canada meeting rooms with locally inspired Indigenous names
- Educational and cultural events throughout the year to mark significant days in the calendar, such as Indigenous Veterans Day and Red Dress Day
- Monthly newsletters to celebrate internal and external events and highlight employee profiles and other topics of interest, such as reading lists
PwC Canada understands the importance of addressing the need for financial assistance among Indigenous students while recognizing that this is only one way of supporting the future success of Indigenous youth.
As part of the firm’s journey towards Truth and Reconciliation, PwC Canada is passionate about providing guidance, mentorship and resources to support Indigenous students in reaching their full potential. In addition to providing financial resources, PwC Canada curates one-to-one professional relationships between PwC Canada mentors and Indigenous students.
The purpose is to:
- Create the opportunity for Indigenous youth and students to gain real-world experience in the corporate environment
- Generate alignment to personal goals achieved through mentorship
- Inspire personal and professional growth in mentees
- Align with PwC Canada’s workforce representation commitments and opportunities to support Indigenous career advancement
