Nuclear Supply Chain Readiness Survey For First Nations-Owned Businesses in Saskatchewan

Nuclear Supply Chain Readiness Survey For First Nations-Owned Businesses in Saskatchewan
SURVEY PURPOSE
The Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence (the Centre) is conducting this survey to understand the capabilities, experience, and interest of Saskatchewan-based First Nations–owned businesses in participating in the nuclear supply chain. The results will be used to support the identification of near- and long-term business opportunities, assess supplier readiness and capacity gaps, and inform practical recommendations to industry and governments to improve access to procurement, partnerships, workforce pathways, and supplychain inclusion.
WHY PARTICIPATE
Saskatchewan’s nuclear sector represents a long-duration, high-value supply chain with
opportunities across manufacturing, deployment & construction, operations & maintenance, and fuel supply. Your participation will help:
- Improve visibility of First Nations business capacity to industry and project proponents,
- Shape procurement and partnership approaches to better align with First Nations suppliers,
- Identify supports needed to compete and scale (certifications, workforce, financing), and
- Position First Nations businesses for future nuclear-related contracts and partnerships.
Survey results will be reported in aggregate and used to inform industry engagement and market-readiness initiatives aimed at expanding First Nations business participation in the nuclear sector.
SURVEY PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
Contact Person*

First NameLast Name
Contact Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Contact Email*
example@example.com
All information collected through this survey will be treated as confidential by the Centre. Individualparticipant identities will not be disclosed. Only aggregated and anonymized responses to survey questions will be shared for reporting and analysis purposes.
Please do not include personal, sensitive, or commercially confidential information (including names, contact details, or proprietary business information) in any open-ended responses.

Section 4 – Challenges and Barriers
What are the biggest barriers preventing your business from entering the nuclear supply chain? (Select all that apply)*

Lack of awareness about opportunitiesHigh cost of certification/standardsLimited access to financing/capitalDifficulty connecting with utilities and prime vendorsWorkforce/training gapsOther
On a scale of 1–6, how significant are the following barriers for your business? On a scale of 1–6, how significant are the following barriers for your business? (1 = Not a barrier, 6 = Major barrier)
Cost of certification/standards*
Workforce readiness*
Access to financing/capital*
Information about opportunities*
Building partnerships with larger suppliers*
Please enter other barriers here (please include a ranking number)*

Section 5 – Opportunities in the Supply Chain
Which areas of the nuclear supply chain do you see the most opportunity for your business? (Select all that apply)*

Manufacturing/FabricationCivil construction & tradesOperations & MaintenanceEnvironmental monitoring & servicesTransportation & logisticsIT, cybersecurity, or digital toolsOther
Please rank the following areas of the nuclear supply chain by perceived opportunity for First Nations businesses (1 = greatest opportunity, 5 = least opportunity)
Manufacturing & Fabrication*
Construction & Trades*
Operations & Maintenance*
Fuel Cycle (mining, transport, storage)*
Professional/Technical Services*

Section 6 – Recommendations and Support
What specific recommendations would you provide to governments to better support First Nation business participation in the nuclear supply chain?
What specific recommendations would you provide to utilities (e.g., SaskPower) or major vendors (e.g., GE Hitachi, Westinghouse)?
How valuable would the following supports be in enabling your business to participate in the nuclear supply chain? (1 = Not valuable, 5 = Extremely valuable)
Dedicated First Nations procurement targets and policies
First Nations equity/ownership opportunities in projects
Training programs designed for First Nations businesses and workers
Expanded use of First Nation-led platforms (e.g., Exportdata.ca) for procurement matching
Dedicated engagement sessions with vendors/utilities
Would your business be interested in participating in future workshops, roundtables, or training sessions organized by the Centre on nuclear supply chain opportunities?

YesNo

Section 7 – Final Input
In your view, what is the single most important action needed to ensure First Nations businesses benefit from nuclear development in Saskatchewan and across Canada?
Should be Empty:

Nuclear Supply Chain Readiness Survey For First Nations-Owned Businesses in Saskatchewan

SURVEY PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

Section 1 – Business Profile

Section 2 – Awareness of Opportunities

Section 3 – Readiness to Participate

Section 4 – Challenges and Barriers

Section 5 – Opportunities in the Supply Chain

Section 6 – Recommendations and Support

Section 7 – Final Input