About

Introduction

Indigenous Peoples must be able to share in the benefits of major projects on their lands and on their own terms. Due to the Indian Act and the legacy of colonialism, there are significant challenges in securing capital and leveraging assets. These financial barriers limit Indigenous participation in projects that could generate long term economic benefits for Indigenous Peoples.

The Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation (CILGC) is a subsidiary of Canada Development Investment Corporation (CDEV), a federal Crown corporation that manages critical financial transactions for the Government of Canada. CILGC is responsible for managing the $10-billion Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program (ILGP), whose mandate is to issue loan guarantees that empower Indigenous groups to take part in economic opportunities and fully participate in Canada’s growing economy. CILGC is responsible for engaging with eligible applicants, conducting due diligence, negotiating agreements, issuing loan guarantees, and monitoring its portfolio in a commercial manner.

Our first loan guarantee was announced in May 2025 for $400 million of a $736-million investment by 38 First Nations in British Columbia for a 12.5% stake in a natural gas pipeline system.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

CILGC acknowledges that, as a federal Crown corporation, it exercises a mandate across Canada, which is home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. CILGC operates across our country on unceded Indigenous territories with long and rich traditions. We are committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and encourage our employees and directors, and all Canadians, to play a role in learning, understanding, and respecting their history, culture, and contributions to this land called Canada.

Objectives

The strategic objectives of the Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation are to:

Advance Indigenous economic reconciliation and self-determination

Unlock access to affordable capital for Indigenous groups

Facilitate Indigenous partnerships with private sector industry

Deliver better projects guided by Indigenous leadership and knowledge

Build Indigenous business and commercial dealmaking capacity

Team

Established in December 2024, the Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation (CILGC) brings together financial, commercial, and Indigenous sector experts committed to fostering economic reconciliation. Guided by a shared vision of Indigenous economic empowerment, CILGC works collaboratively with Indigenous groups, financial institutions, and key stakeholders to ensure communities across Canada benefit from access to affordable capital and long-term financial growth.

CILGC will be governed by a diverse board of directors and executive team with Indigenous and non-Indigenous representation. Until CILGC is fully staffed, most of the capacity is provided by its parent company, CDEV, and its staff, who have the commercial and financial expertise as well as the proper governance oversight to help carry out the mandate.

Board of Directors

Michael Bonshor

MBA
Board Chair

Elizabeth Wademan

CFA, ICD.D
Director

Dwight Ball

Director

Management

Carlos Gallardo

CPA, CA, CIP, CRM
Treasurer

Sebastien Labelle

B.A., MPA
Vice President

Tess Lofsky

LL.B
Vice President, Legal

Annie Sismanian

CPA, CA
Chief Financial Officer

Russ Wenman

BSc, PgDL, FCA
Vice President, Execution & Advisory

Team Members

Amadeus Domaradzki

Director, Execution & Advisory

Pearl Yuzicappi

MPA, MBA
Director, Development & Stakeholder Relations

Stephen Eddy

J.D.
Senior Legal Counsel

Chris Sheppard

Senior Associate

Murray Gettle

Associate, Outreach and Engagement

Careers

Come join us! Job opportunities to help manage the first-of-its-kind federal Indigenous loan guarantee program are impactful and rewarding career experiences. Regardless of the role, candidates are expected to bring their expertise, strategic thinking, strong commitment to Indigenous prosperity, collaborative approach, and the highest level of integrity and ethics to support CILGC and contribute to the program’s success to advance Indigenous economic reconciliation in the most tangible way.

Available Positions

Available positions are posted below.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, and we will work with you if you require accessibility accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, pending that you let us know of your needs in advance. Note that only qualified candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.