MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co. has released a new Indigenous relations policy for the railway.

CN chief legal officer Olivier Chouc says by acknowledging its past and embracing its responsibilities, the railway is laying a stronger foundation to continue to develop respectful, sustainable, and mutually beneficial relationships.

The policy includes principles on cultural awareness and employee engagement, people and employment, community engagement and relationships, economic reconciliation and environmental stewardship and safety.

The railway’s advisory council of prominent Indigenous leaders resigned at the end of last year after co-chairs of the council said the company failed to acknowledge past wrongs and follow its recommendations for reconciliation.

The new policy follows CN’s acknowledgment of the historical role railways have played as part of colonial policies which was published in December on the heels of the council’s mass resignation.

CN says its network operates within or adjacent to nearly 230 reserve lands of more than 120 First Nations and Métis communities in Canada and seven Tribal reservations in the United States.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 26, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:CNR)

The Canadian Press