The removal follows years of concern raised by Indigenous leaders about gaps in oversight that allowed non-Indigenous companies to access billions of dollars of federal procurement opportunities intended for Indigenous Peoples. The Indigenous Business Directory is used by federal departments to identify eligible Indigenous-owned and controlled businesses for contracts under the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous […]
The removal follows years of concern raised by Indigenous leaders about gaps in oversight that allowed non-Indigenous companies to access billions of dollars of federal procurement opportunities intended for Indigenous Peoples. The Indigenous Business Directory is used by federal departments to identify eligible Indigenous-owned and controlled businesses for contracts under the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business.
Federal officials have stated that strengthening verification is necessary to ensure the integrity of the directory and to confirm that businesses meet the requirement of being at least 51 per cent Indigenous-owned and controlled. Registered businesses are subject to ongoing reviews and audits, and those that no longer meet eligibility criteria are removed.
Indigenous leaders have emphasized that trust in the directory depends on Indigenous involvement in determining which businesses qualify. Discussions are ongoing regarding the potential transfer of administration of the Indigenous Business Directory to Indigenous partners.
The federal government has stated that continued verification of eligibility is required to ensure the five per cent Indigenous procurement target benefits eligible Indigenous-owned and led businesses.
