2023-24 Report on the Supply Chain Act Indigenous Services Canada
Part 1: Identifying Information
April 1st, 2023 – March 31st, 2024
Indicate if this is a revised report
N/A – Original Report
Indicate if this is a report produced by a federal Crown corporation or a subsidiary of a federal Crown corporation
- N/A
Part 2: Report Contents
2.1 Information on the government institution’s structure, activities and supply chains
Which of the following accurately describes the government institution’s activities?
Purchasing goods
- in Canada
- outside Canada
Provide additional information on the government institution’s structure, activities and supply chains.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) works collaboratively with partners to improve access to high quality services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Our vision is to support and empower Indigenous peoples to independently deliver services and address the socio-economic conditions in their communities.
At ISC, approximately 32% of the annual value of our purchases were made through the use of PSPC tools such as Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements. Since November, 2021, PSPC implemented anti-forced labour clauses in all goods contracts to ensure that it can terminate contracts where there is credible information that the goods have been produced in whole or in part by forced labour or human trafficking. Additionally, since November 20, 2023, all PSPC Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements for goods that have been issued, amended, or refreshed include anti-forced labour clauses. As such, all of our contracts for goods resulting from the use of these tools include clauses relating to forced labour which set out, among other things, human rights and labour rights requirements. These clauses can be found in the policy notification 150 – Anti-forced labour requirements.
The table below represents the most common types of goods procured by ISC in the last fiscal year.
| Type of Goods | # of Contracts | $ value |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Data Processing Equipment, System Configuration | 104 | $11,657,305.67 |
| Drugs & Biologicals | 65 | $2,455,856.95 |
| Medical & Surgical | 706 | $13,949,787.51 |
| Office Furniture & Supplies | 268 | $3,857,597.81 |
2.2 Information on the steps taken to prevent and reduce the risk that forced labour or child labour is used at any step of the production of goods produced, purchased or distributed by the government institution
Indicate steps taken in the previous financial year to prevent and reduce the risk that forced labour or child labour is used at any step of the production of goods produced, purchased or distributed by the government institution.
ISC has used PSPC’s tools, including Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements, and integrated PSPC’s Code of Conduct for Procurement in our purchasing activities to prevent and reduce the risk of forced labour or child labour in our procurements. While PSPC supports government institutions in their daily operations by acting as the central purchasing agent for the Government of Canada, ISC undertakes activities under its own procurement authority, independently of the aforementioned PSPC tools. ISC has integrated PSPC’s updated General Conditions for goods contracts and PSPC’s Code of Conduct for Procurement in our purchasing activities to prevent and reduce the risk of forced labour or child labour in our procurements.
During the previous fiscal year ISC purchased goods and services under our own procurement authority in the following areas:
- Communications Equipment
- Electric Wire & Power & Distribution Equipment
- Equipment & Material Testing
- Fueling & Other Petroleum Services
- Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
- Medical & Surgical Instruments, Equipment & Supplies
- Special Dietary Foods & Food Specialty Preparations
- Security Cameras
- Water Quality Support Services
If applicable, please provide additional information describing the steps taken.
2.3 Information on the policies and due diligence processes in relation to forced labour and child labour
Does the government institution currently have policies and due diligence processes in place related to forced labour and/or child labour? (Yes or No)
Indigenous Services Canada does not currently have their own policies. However, effective April 1, 2023, amendments to the Treasury Board Directive on the Management of Procurement require contracting authorities from all departments listed in Schedules I, I.1 and II of the Financial Administration Act (with the exception of the Canada Revenue Agency) and commissions established in accordance with the Inquiries Act and designated as a department for the purposes of the Financial Administration Act to incorporate the Code of Conduct for Procurement ("the Code") into their procurements. Pursuant to the aforementioned amendments, ISC has integrated the Code into our procurements in the General Conditions section of our contracts, with a view to safeguarding federal procurement supply chains from forced labour and child labour. The Code requires that vendors, providing goods and services to the Government of Canada and their sub-contractors, comply with all applicable laws and regulations. In addition, the Code requires vendors and their sub-contractors to comply with Canada's prohibition on the importation of goods produced, in whole or in part, by forced or compulsory labour. This includes forced or compulsory child labour and applies to all goods, regardless of their country of origin. The prohibition on the importation of goods produced wholly or in part by forced labour came into force under the Customs Tariff on July 1, 2020. This amendment implemented a commitment in the Labour Chapter of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and applies to all imports, regardless of origin.
2.4 Information on the parts of its activities and supply chains that carry a risk of forced labour or child labour being used and the steps taken to assess and manage that risk
Has the government institution identified the parts of its activities and supply chains that carry a risk of forced labour or child labour being used?
ISC has not identified any risks. In May 2021, a risk analysis of PSPC’s supply chains was completed by Rights Lab, of the University of Nottingham (U.K.), to determine which goods were at the highest risk of exposure to human trafficking, forced labour, and child labour. The analysis, and subsequent report, elaborated key strategies for PSPC to leverage public spending power to raise awareness about forced labour in supply chains. ISC officials have familiarized ourselves with information on the risk assessment provided by PSPC, and are monitoring related follow-action, including the development of a Policy on Ethical Procurement.
Has the government institution identified forced labour or child labour risks in its activities and supply chains related to any of the following sectors and industries?
ISC has not identified forced labour or child labour risks in its activities and supply chains related to any of the sectors and industries.
2.5 Information on any measures taken to remediate any forced labour or child labour
Has the government institution taken any measures to remediate any forced labour or child labour in its activities and supply chains?
Not applicable, ISC have not identified any forced labour or child labour in our activities and supply chains.
2.6 Information on any measures taken to remediate the loss of income to the most vulnerable families that results from any measure taken to eliminate the use of forced labour or child labour in the institution’s activities and supply chains
Has the government institution taken any measures to remediate the loss of income to the most vulnerable families that results from any measure taken to eliminate the use of forced or child labour in its activities and supply chains?
Not applicable, ISC have not identified any loss of income to vulnerable families resulting from measures taken to eliminate the use of forced labour or child labour in our activities and supply chains.
2.7 Information on the training provided to employees on forced labour and child labour
Does the government institution currently provide training to employees on forced labour and/or child labour?
ISC does not currently have training materials on this subject. ISC is aware that PSPC is currently developing awareness-raising guidance materials (including risk mitigation strategies) for suppliers, targeted towards high-risk sectors. ISC is monitoring the development of these materials and will leverage these resources upon their publication.
2.8 Information on how the government institution assesses its effectiveness in ensuring that forced labour and child labour are not being used in its activities and supply chains
Does the government institution currently have policies and procedures in place to assess its effectiveness in ensuring that forced labour and child labour are not being used in its activities and supply chains? (Yes or No)
ISC does not have its own policies and procedures in place to assess its effectiveness in ensuring that forced labour and child labour are not being used in its activities and supply chains. However, ISC has integrated PSPC’s updated General Conditions for goods contracts and PSPC’s Code of Conduct for Procurement in our purchasing activities to prevent and reduce the risk of forced labour or child labour in our procurements.