MONTREAL, Nov. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today announced it has been recognized as a Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Committed company by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) in recognition of its enhanced partnerships with Aboriginal communities.

Established in 2001, CCAB's Progressive Aboriginal Relations certification signals to Aboriginal communities that designated companies are good business partners, great places to work, and committed to the prosperity of Aboriginal Communities.

"We are very pleased to have earned the PAR Committed designation and remain dedicated to developing respectful and mutually-beneficial relationships with all Aboriginal people," said Olivier Chouc, vice-president of law at CN. "We look forward to continuing our work with the Aboriginal business community as we expand our relationships. That includes identifying and fostering business opportunities with Aboriginal chambers of commerce, entrepreneurs and businesses across Canada."

CN operates within or adjacent to nearly 200 reserves of more than 110 First Nations and Métis territories.

"The changing relationship between Canada's corporate leaders and Aboriginal businesses continues to strengthen as we welcome CN as our newest PAR Committed member," said JP Gladu, president & CEO of CCAB. "CN, as a business operating across Canada, is truly moving toward addressing the new economic reconciliation that is supporting an Aboriginal business renaissance in Canada today. We applaud CN and look forward to sharing their commitment with all Canadians."

CCAB is committed to the full participation of Aboriginal peoples in Canada's economy, offering knowledge, resources, and programs to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal owned companies that foster economic opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and businesses across Canada. Recipients of the PAR designation are assessed in four key areas: employment, business development, capacity building and community relations.

CN is a true backbone of the economy, transporting more than C$250 billion worth of goods annually for a wide range of business sectors, ranging from resource products to manufactured products to consumer goods, across a rail network of approximately 20,000 route-miles spanning Canada and mid-America. CN – Canadian National Railway Company, along with its operating railway subsidiaries – serves the cities and ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the metropolitan areas of Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Calgary, Chicago, Memphis, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information about CN, visit the Company's website at www.cn.ca. Learn more about CN's Aboriginal Vision at www.cn.ca/aboriginalvision.

SOURCE CN