Indigenous Rights and Foreign Oil Companies: evidence from the oil sands industry in Alberta

The thesis intends to analyse the presence of foreign oil sands facilities in Alberta, Canada, and their potential implication on the rights of Aboriginal people living in the area. First, the role of foreign direct investment in the region is analysed, highlighting the inward flow of capital towards the oilsands industry, the development of this sector and the economic spillovers that such investments had on the Canadian Province. Then, there is a focus on the aboriginal-related and human rights issues, with a specific interest on the environmental, health, economic and land property-related impacts that such industry had on the Aboriginal people living nearby the facilities. Thirdly, it is carried out a qualitative analysis which aims to analyse the economic implications, mainly on an employment rate and median income level, of foreign companies on Aboriginal workers, comparing across Alberta the situation of Indigenous people living close to oilsands facilities with the situation of Indigenous workers living in districts without oil reserves. Finally, there is the intention to understand which economic partnerships and agreements can lead and promote equilibrium between Aboriginal rights and Foreign Companies’ goals.