ACCELERATED SITE CLOSURE PROGRAM

The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to ensuring that Indigenous communities and businesses are provided meaningful opportunities to participate in the ASCP. To deliver on its commitment, the Government of Saskatchewan is introducing the First Nations Stewardship Fund and the Indigenous Business Credit Pool. These two initiatives will direct up to $50M of ASCP funding to support Indigenous participation in the program.

​The Export Database is a registration database that has been developed by the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence. It is the online tool being used to identify Indigenous contractors available and eligible for Credit Pool allocation.

How Does it Work?

1. Eligible Indigenous businesses set up their profile in the ASCP Export database.
2. Major Contractors set up a profile and log into the ASCP database to search and connect with eligible Indigenous minor contractors for use on work packages; as well as post job opportunities for Indigenous employees.
3. ASCP Licensee Companies set up a profile and log into the ASCP database to search and connect with eligible Indigenous contractors for inclusion in work packages.

Commitment

The First Nations Stewardship Fund will allocate up to $20M in program funding to conduct abandonment and reclamation activities in First Nations communities across Saskatchewan. Eligible Licensees with oil and gas sites on-Reserve will be able to access the First Nations Stewardship Fund. Eligible Licensees are asked to nominate sites for consideration under the Stewardship Fund. Licensees will engage with First Nations communities in the development of work packages under the Stewardship Fund.

The Indigenous Business Credit Pool will create an incentive for eligible Licensees to work with qualifying Indigenous Major contractors and Minor contractors to complete program work. Eligible Licensees that utilize qualifying Indigenous Major and Minor contractors will earn access to additional ASCP funding for future use. The Indigenous Business Credit Pool will make an additional $15M in ASCP funding available to participating Licensees. If fully utilized, the Indigenous Business Credit Pool will support a $30M spend on qualifying Indigenous businesses.

To support these initiatives, the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) has entered into a collaboration agreement with the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence (COE). The COE will work with the SRC, Licensees, oil and gas service companies, and First Nations communities to administer the First Nations Stewardship Fund and the Indigenous Business Credit Pool.

Learn more about the ASCP program