How APS Helps You Navigate a Changing Construction Market

Metro Vancouver’s construction and development industry is undergoing a profound transformation — and Indigenous leadership is at the center of it.

With government policy evolving, Indigenous Nations becoming major landowners, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) rising to the forefront of procurement, contractors and developers are facing a new reality: success in this market increasingly depends on meaningful Indigenous engagement.

That’s where APS comes in.

What is APS?

APS — Approved Partner of Swákwel — is a contractor-focused certification program formally endorsed by the Squamish Nation. Designed to position your business as a trusted Indigenous partner, APS helps you meet government procurement requirements, win Nation-led projects, and strengthen your CSR commitments — all without the heavy administrative load.

Why APS Matters Now

Governments at all levels are integrating Indigenous engagement mandates into development and infrastructure projects. These mandates are no longer optional — they’re embedded in procurement processes and funding requirements. Meanwhile, large developers are racing to align their supply chains with these values.

This creates a “trickle-down” effect:

• Public sector agencies are enforcing Indigenous participation plans.

• Prime contractors need reliable partners to meet their CSR objectives.

• Subcontractors must show readiness to participate meaningfully or risk missing out.

APS gives you that edge.

What You Get with APS

As an APS-certified partner, your business receives:

• A formal certificate of recognition by Swákwel and the Squamish Nation

• Reference materials for tenders, bids, and Indigenous participation plans

• CSR and procurement tools for your marketing, reports, and documentation

• Expert consultation to help structure Indigenous engagement strategies

• Joint bidding opportunities on Nation-led and set-aside projects

• APS-branded marketing materials to display your partnership

• Annual impact statements that measure and validate your contributions

  
  

The Strategic Advantage

The Squamish Nation — along with MST Development — is reshaping Vancouver’s development future. Projects like Sen̓áḵw, a 6,000-unit high-density development on Squamish Nation land, are just the beginning. Over $5 billion in projects are planned over the next decade.

Indigenous Nations are now the largest landowners in Metro Vancouver. And here’s the kicker: once land is in the hands of a Nation, it never re-enters the general public market. Profits are reinvested into more land, more housing, and more infrastructure.

This cycle of growth creates enormous opportunities for businesses ready to align with the future.

Why Forward-Thinking Contractors Are Joining Now

Getting APS-certified isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s about getting ahead — aligning your business with the values, people, and projects that will define the next era of construction in British Columbia.

• Want to win more government work?

• Looking to build credibility with top-tier developers?

• Trying to stand out in a crowded market?

APS gives you that foundation.

Final Word: The Time to Align is Now

The door is open. Swákwel is inviting early partners to be part of a generational shift. APS offers more than compliance — it offers connection, credibility, and access to the real work shaping our region.

Think your business qualifies? We’d love to talk.

Get in touch and let’s explore how you can become an Approved Partner of Swákwel.