EY welcomes former Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation Kim Baird to team in BC

Firm enhances focus on First Nations relations through partnership 

VANCOUVER, Oct. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - EY is pleased to announce a new partnership with Kim Baird — renowned First Nations leader and recent Order of Canada recipient — to enhance the firm's expertise in supporting corporate and public sector clients better engage and partner with First Nations to promote joint economic development.

"Working closely with First Nations groups from across the province is an important step in defining BC's economic future," says Fiona Macfarlane, EY's British Columbia Managing Partner. "Assisting proponents and public sector bodies pursuing and championing new opportunities in our energy, particularly LNG, mining and real estate sectors requires a deep understanding of our First Nations values and culture. That's where Kim's knowledge is unparalleled. We're excited to work together towards our purpose of building a better working world."   

Together, with EY, Kim will support the collective interests of First Nations and the firm's corporate and public sector clients by engaging with stakeholders to ensure understanding of cultural and governance nuances of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada and BC. She'll provide invaluable insight into how companies and public bodies can best engage First Nations and position issues to achieve financial and partnering success. 

Kim, with the support of EY, will also work to advance the entrepreneurial spirit of First Nations and employment opportunities for youth. Supporting entrepreneurship is an integral part of the firm. EY was recently named the 2014 Professional Services Organization of the Year for Advancing Entrepreneurship by Startup Canada.

About Kim Baird
Kim was elected Chief of the Tsawwassen First Nation for six terms from 1999-2012. During that time she negotiated and implemented BC's first urban treaty in 2009 and up until recently oversaw numerous economic and institutional development projects benefitting the members of the Tsawwassen First Nation community. She was also the first woman, who was not an MLA, to address the BC Legislature.

Kim has received a number of prestigious awards for her work with the First Nations community, including an honorary degree, the National Aboriginal Women in Leadership Distinction Award, Canada's Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award and, more recently, the Order of Canada.

About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY is proudly celebrating 150 years in Canada. For more information, please visit ey.com/ca. Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada.

EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

SOURCE: EY (Ernst & Young)

Sarah Shields, [email protected], 604 648 3607