Fort McKay First Nation Chief Jim Boucher has been named Canadian Energy Person of the Year.
A press release from the Energy Council of Canada says Chief Boucher was picked for being a leader and his hand in the development of the oilsands.
“There couldn’t be a clearer choice for the 2018 Canadian Energy Person of the Year. The Energy Council of Canada’s nominating committee, board of directors and entire membership have long admired Chief Boucher’s tenacity and measured approach to both community and economic development. For over thirty years, he has helped not only his people but also Alberta and the rest of Canada, through intense change toward greater prosperity. No one else knows more about balancing the challenges and opportunities of oil sands development than Chief Jim Boucher,” said Jacob Irving, Energy Council of Canada president.
Chief Boucher is also the Chairman of the Fort McKay Group of Companies-a 100 per cent band-owned operation-that provides heavy equipment operations, warehouse logistics, roads and grounds maintenance, environmental services and land leasing operations throughout Wood Buffalo.
The company has earned $1.7 billion in the last five years.
He also played a key role in a historic investment with the Mikisew Cree First Nation in Suncor’s East Tank Farm, between the two First Nations they own 49 per cent of the development.
The council will honour Chief Boucher on November 15th in Calgary.
