b'FLY-IN, FLY-OUTOne of the most rewarding aspects ofDenise Gairdner, the companys directorprovides job seekers throughout Canada working in a FIFO position in the Farof people and culture, says there iswith far more work opportunities. FIFO North is the sense of accomplishmenttremendous interest in the jobs that entailallows us to source talent across the nation that comes from successfully completingthis type of work, which speaks volumes[and] we are able to recruit team members challenging projects in remote locations,about its attraction to workers. Recruiting,from a much broader geographic area, says Mayner. The opportunity to workshe stresses, is not a problem: Many ofwhich is fantastic, because we can provide in breathtaking natural landscapes andour FIFO postings generate hundreds ofcareer opportunities both inside and collaborate with diverse teams is alsoapplications per positionoften moreoutside our region, Gairdner says.a huge positive. On the flip side, beingthan we can screenespecially when away from home for extended periods,searching for labourers and operators. More room is being made for women as the isolation and distance from lovedwell. While FIFO workers are still predom-ones, harsh weather conditions, andFIFO allows Bouchier to source talentinantly men, Gairdner notes that 15 per maintaining a work-life balance can beacross the country, and conversely, itcent of our team members are women emotionally taxing at times. Yet a conversation with Mayner and Morgan leaves you with the sense that the FIFO lifestyleeven with its inherent challengeshas ultimately proved an overwhelmingly positive experience for their family. Morgan attributes this mainly to two things: the culture at the firm Mayner works for and their own family dynamic. One of the important aspects is we [each] selected companies that support our ethics and our well-being, and we have a strong sense of family, Morgan says. This is why weve stayed with these companies for a very long time. When you have that as a foundation, the positive aspects become really healthy.When Wayne is home, says Morgan, he isWho We Servereally home and fully present, which bene-fits the family immensely. It makes for aCommercialConstructionvery healthy relationship. We miss eachGovernmentIndustrialother completely when hes gone, and I dont think everybody has that oppor- Indigenous Organizations Miningtunity in a relationship to continue to miss somebody and then to value the time [when theyre] home, Morgan says,Competitive Pricingadding that if Wayne didnt really loveThrough competitive pricing strategies and harnessing the what he does, and wasnt incredibly goodbenefits of bulk buying power, we offer over 50,000 branded at it, that would be a deeper challengeproducts at an exceptional value & savings to our customers.for us. Product DiversityPOPULARITY OF FIFO Strategic partnerships with leading manufacturers enables us to The Canadian government doesnt keep,provide a diverse portfolio of high-quality products.or at least doesnt release, statistics onGovernment Procurementthe numbers of FIFO workers in Canada, but one report indicates that more thanProud member of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business half55 per centof the mining work- (CCIB). Registered under the Federal Government Procurement force in the Northwest Territories is flownStrategy for Aboriginal Business (PSAB).in. One can conclude that in a resource-rich country like Canada, the numberASUBSIDARYOFTHEMUSHKEGOWUK of workers who live the FIFO lifestyleREGIONALECONOMICDEVELOPMENTLPis significant.Bouchier, an Indigenous civil contractor1052 Riverside Dr, Timmins, ON38 First St, Moosonee, ON headquartered in Fort McKay, the heart of Albertas Athabasca oil sands region,www.mushkegowukdc.ca mdcsupply@mushkegowuk.causes FIFO workers on many of its projects. Indigenous BUSINESS REPORT47'