Abitibi River Forest Management Inc.
Promoting First Nation Businesses Policy

September 17, 2025

1. Introduction:

Abitibi River Forest Management Inc. (ARFMI) is the holder of the Sustainable Forest Licence for the Abitibi River Forest. ARFMI has the responsibility of undertaking forest management planning and renewal activities on ARF as required under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act (CFSA) and to meet other commitments (i.e. forest certification) as determined by the Board.

2. Purpose and scope of the policy:

The purpose of the policy is to ensure that when ARFMI is procuring goods and services as required to fulfill its mandate, it grants preferred access to First Nation businesses to provide such services, consistent with reasonable commercial conditions. The policy outlines the types of services required and describes the mechanism for implementation.

3. Definitions:

First Nation Business
A business that is owned in whole or in part by an ARFMI First Nation Shareholder (Band-owned business) or a community member business, recognized by the First Nation.
Management Contractor
The entity hired by ARFMI to provide Management Services including forest management planning, silviculture and administration on the ARF as directed by the Board.
Other Contractors
Businesses that provide services directly to ARFMI (ie legal, financial audit, forestry audit, catering) and subcontractors who provide services directed by the Management Contractor (tree planting, site preparation, tending, surveys and assessments, reporting, compliance, forest inventory, GIS).

4. Process and Policy Details:

Management Services Contract
a. Current Contract
A management service contract is in place for the period April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2028. At any time during the contract period, a First Nation or First Nation Business, may express interest in providing a service, within the scope of the management contract.
The interest may be expressed directly to the Management Contractor and services provided consistent with Management Contract or interest may be expressed in writing to the Secretary of ARFMI to review the interest and determine next steps.
b. Future Contract
The Board of ARFMI shall give notice to First Nation shareholders 18 months prior to the expiry of the Management Services contract (October 1, 2026). At 12 months prior to the expiry of the current contract, if no expressions of interest are received to provide services (in whole or in part), the Board shall proceed to secure a new Management Contract.

Other Contracts
a. Renewal Activities
The Management Contractor is directed to grant preferred access to First Nation Business for goods and services related to renewal activities.
First Nations shall receive notice of opportunity to express interest in services required by the Management Contractor.
Services shall be provided consistent with project schedules, quality requirements and reasonable commercial conditions.
b. Other Board Services
First Nations are invited to advise the Board at any time of the availability of a First Nation business, or business partner to provide services to ARFMI (financial, certification, auditing, training) for consideration by the Board.

5. Communication:

A subcommittee of the Board (minimum 2 Directors), shall meet bi-annually with leadership of each First Nation to exchange information in support of the policy and identify potential opportunities for collaboration.

6. Policy Owner:

The President is accountable to ensure the Board fulfils the requirements of the policy associated with services contracted by the Board.
The General Manager is accountable to ensure the Management Contract fulfils its duties associated with services contracted in the fulfilment of the Management services contract.

7. Appeals:

Any concern associated with implementation of the Policy shall be communicated with the President of ARFMI in writing, for review and follow up within 30 days of receipt of a complaint.

8. Review History:

Version	Date	Author	Purpose
1.0	21/8/2018	Paul Fantin	First released version
2.0	10/09/2024	Chris McDonell	Expand scope to include opportunities for provision of Management Services

Annual Re-endorsement Resolution:

The Directors and Shareholders of the Corporation will review this Promoting First Nation Businesses Policy each year in preparation for the final quarterly meeting and that any proposed changes will be tabled at the last quarterly meeting of the year where the Policy will be annually re-endorsed by the Directors of the Corporation through a formal resolution.
THE FOREGOING RESOLUTIONS are hereby consented to by the Directors of the Corporation.