Enhancing procurement opportunities for Indigenous businesses

Goal

Contribute to the government’s social and economic objectives, including increasing the participation of businesses from Indigenous groups in the procurement system, and increasing their capacity.

Description

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is fostering the participation of businesses owned or led by Indigenous groups in its contracts.

Status

Ongoing. PSPC is leveraging federal procurement to support Indigenous businesses by providing them with increased opportunities to access the federal government market. To further help stimulate Indigenous economic development, PSPC is increasingly incorporating requirements for benefits for Indigenous Peoples and businesses into federal procurement, such as through Indigenous Benefits Plans. Indigenous Benefits Plans enhance economic opportunities for Indigenous Peoples and businesses through increased possibilities of competing successfully for contracts or of participating in employment, training or subcontracting opportunities. The contract for the administration of the Canada Student Loans Program, for example, awarded by PSPC on behalf of Employment and Social Development Canada, stipulated that a portion of the services needed to be delivered by an Indigenous sub-contractor.

In collaboration with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, PSPC is also encouraging departments that procure more than $1 million annually to find ways to increase the value of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses. Departments have been asked to aspire to an Indigenous procurement objective of 5% by the end of the next 5 years.

Finally, the department is partnering with professional organizations that support Indigenous businesses to help encourage their participation in government procurement. These organizations include the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) and the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO).