Transformative Indigenous Procurement Strategy: dialogue with Indigenous partners
Engaging with Indigenous partners on the co-development of a Transformative Indigenous Procurement Strategy.
Current status: Closed
The dialogue sessions started in Fall 2022 ending in spring-summer 2024. Feedback is welcome via the following email address: staa-tips@sac-isc.gc.ca
On this page
What
In August 2021, the Government of Canada recommitted to renewing and strengthening its economic relationship with Indigenous entrepreneurs by providing increased economic opportunities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis businesses through the federal procurement process.
As a result of past engagement with Indigenous partners, the Government of Canada implemented a mandatory requirement for federal departments and agencies to ensure that a minimum of 5% of the total value of contracts are held by Indigenous businesses. This requirement includes public reporting and was phased in over 3 years, beginning in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, with full implementation as of the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
In addition, preliminary changes to the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Businesses (PSIB, formerly known as the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business) were introduced including:
- a broadened definition of "Indigenous business"
- an expansion of the size and number of geographic areas where federal organizations must first consider procuring with Indigenous businesses
Funding was also announced to:
- continue meaningful engagement to co-develop a longer-term transformative approach to Indigenous procurement
- increase the capacity of Indigenous-owned businesses to compete and receive more federal procurement contracts
Why
The goal of this engagement was to:
- validate past feedback received from Indigenous partners
- create awareness of the latest changes to Indigenous procurement
- identify areas where Indigenous businesses can develop capacity to provide goods and services needed by federal departments and agencies
- gather information and build the foundation for a co-developed Transformative Indigenous Procurement Strategy which supports economic reconciliation
Who
The Government of Canada sought the views of key stakeholders, for example:
- representatives from Modern Treaty rights holders
- representatives of National Indigenous Organizations
- representatives of Indigenous organizations with technical expertise in economic development
- interested Indigenous leaders (or their delegates or representatives)
- Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs
When and where
Indigenous Services Canada organized engagement sessions across the country both in-person and virtually. For information on how to participate, people were asked to contact the Transformative Indigenous Procurement Strategy engagement team at contact us.
What we learned
Through more than 50 engagement sessions, over 20 conferences and tradeshows, and several co-development table meetings, approximately five hundred and fifty Indigenous participants contributed their insights, experiences, and ideas. Conversations spanned all regions, economic sectors, and governance structures, ensuring an inclusive and representative foundation for a transformative Indigenous procurement strategy.
While the voices gathered through the engagements were diverse, they echoed shared priorities and a common call for systemic change, underscoring the need for procurement policies that are inclusive, transparent, and rooted in Indigenous self-determination. Participants and co-development table members were clear, a distinction-based procurement policy grounded in equity, accountability, and Indigenous governance is needed.
Key insights shared by participants and co-development table members are included in the "Transformative Indigenous Procurement Strategy What We Learned Report: 2022-2024 Engagement Summary". They identify policy levers and co-development opportunities needed for a renewed strategy that not only meets economic targets but also supports reconciliation, and equity for Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous Services Canada would like to acknowledge the various organizations and partners who directly supported the engagement sessions:
- Aboriginal Financial Officers Association (AFOA)
- Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB)
- Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO)
- First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC)
- Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – Manitoba
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)
- Joint Economic Development Initiatives (JEDI)
- Kativik Regional Government (KRG)
- Mi'kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association (MAMKA)
- Ontario First Nation Economic Development Association (OFNEDA)
Contact us
For more information, please send an email to: staa-tips@sac-isc.gc.ca