TORONTO (September 16, 2025) — AECOM, the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, is proud to share that it has achieved Bronze Level Certification in Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) from the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB).
The PAIR program, Canada’s premier corporate certification in Indigenous relations, helps organizations build respectful, sustainable, and measurable relationships with Indigenous communities. Certification is built on four key pillars: Leadership Actions, Employment, Business Development (Procurement), and Community Relationships (Engagement & Support). Together, these pillars guide organizations in fostering meaningful and progressive Indigenous relations.
“Achieving Bronze certification in the PAIR program is a meaningful milestone that reflects our commitment to fostering respectful, long-lasting partnerships with Indigenous communities and laying the groundwork for continued reconciliation,” said Richard Barrett, chief executive of AECOM’s Canada region. “This recognition affirms the progress we’ve made and motivates us to continue advancing Indigenous reconciliation across our operations in Canada.”
AECOM received the Bronze certification in the PAIR program after a six-year journey of building foundational practices in Indigenous relations across all four PAIR pillars. Key initiatives included a new Indigenous governance structure strengthening Indigenous voices at the leadership table, identifying a dedicated Indigenous Employee Experience Lead and an Indigenous Procurement/Supply Chain Lead, launching cultural awareness and land-based training programs, developing and launching the Blooming Program supporting Indigenous youth and students, creating an annual Indigenous Procurement Summit, implementing an Indigenous Relations Policy, Indigenous Procurement Policy and an Indigenous hiring-first practice for selected roles.
“This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of many and stands as a powerful reminder of how far we have come,” said Marcel Pelletier, vice president of Indigenous Relations, of AECOM’s Canada region. “It marks a transformative moment for our company—one that will have a lasting impact. Reconciliation is not a destination, but an ongoing journey, especially in our continued commitment to working with and for Indigenous communities.”
This certification demonstrates years of effort to build meaningful partnerships, enhance cultural awareness, and create opportunities for Indigenous employment, business development and community relationships. For AECOM’s clients and Indigenous communities, the certification signals that AECOM is not only a responsible and inclusive employer but also a trusted and respectful partner committed to good practices and long-term collaboration.
About AECOM
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com.