FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION – It didn’t take former MP Greg Rickford long to land a new gig.
The ex-minister of Natural Resources on Thursday was named a strategic advisor at Maawandoon Inc., located on Fort William First Nation.
The company helps bridge the gap between business and Indigenous communities to help facilitate resource development and energy projects across the country.
“I am very pleased and honored to join Maawandoon as a strategic advisor to their executive team. They have an impressive and growing reputation in the resource and major infrastructure project sectors helping businesses and Indigenous communities develop an economic opportunity, embrace environmental processes and make final investment decisions that are a win-win for everyone – that’s my passion too, and the kind of team I want to be a part of,” Rickford said in a release issued by the company.
Maawandoon CEO Darren Harper said Rickford’s political past makes him a perfect fit for the company.
“Now more than ever, indigenous community engagement is at the forefront of responsible and respectful business in Canada. Maawandoon is bringing greater certainty for businesses pursuing natural resource, and major infrastructure projects, by ensuring effective Indigenous consultation and engagement,” Harper said.
“Greg is widely respected for his vast experience with indigenous people, and brings considerable heft to the value proposition we offer our clients.”
A Conservative, the 48-year-old Rickford was ousted in last fall’s provincial election by Liberal Bob Nault, after serving in Parliament since 2008.
He also was minister of state for science and technology as well as FedNor and served as parliamentary secretary to the minister of Aboriginal affairs.
