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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CCAB Proud to Share in Announcement with the Government of Canada on New Measures to Support Indigenous Procurement
Toronto, ON – August 6, 2021 – CCAB President and CEO, Tabatha Bull, joined the Honorable Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement (PSPC), and Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) for today’s announcement of new measures to increase federal procurement opportunities for Indigenous business across Canada.
Measures announced today will include a mandatory requirement, for all federal departments and agencies, to direct a minimum of 5% of the total value of contracts to Indigenous businesses and a mandatory requirement of public reporting of progress against the target. In support of this requirement, Indigenous Services Canada will invest $35.2 million over five years to modernize the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business. Included in this process, is a revision to the definition of “Indigenous business” to broaden the scope of eligibility criteria.
“This is a pivotal moment in harnessing the potential of the Indigenous economy,” said CCAB President and CEO, Tabatha Bull. “CCAB, along with Indigenous leaders past and present, have been advocating for these changes. Today’s announcement shows that we have not only been listened to, but we have been effective in supporting changes that will benefit Indigenous businesses. It is an incredible moment to see the results of our efforts to affect positive change.”
“We thank our Federal partners in Public Services and Procurement Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, and the Treasury Board Secretariat. We look forward to continuing to work with all Departments and Agencies, and the Indigenous Procurement Reference Group, to support the implementation of these important commitments.”
Background Information
In Spring, 2019, CCAB’s research, through their report, Industry and Inclusion: An Analysis of Indigenous Potential in Federal Supply Chains, demonstrated that businesses could supply 24% of the Federal supply chain. This will not only grow the Federal government’s supplier diversity outcome targets, but also put over a billion dollars into the Indigenous economy.
February, 2021 House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) – Click here for submissions from Tabatha Bull of CCAB
May, 2021, Senate of Canada matter of Bill C-30, Budget Implementation Act, 2021 – Click here for submissions from Tabatha Bull of CCAB
June, 2021 House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) – Click here for submissions from Philip Ducharme of CCAB
August, 2021 – Federal Government Press Release – Click here to view
August 6, 2021 – Video footage of Federal Government Announcement – Click here to view
About Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) is committed to the full participation of Indigenous peoples in Canada’s economy. A national, non-partisan association, with a mission to promote, strengthen and enhance a prosperous Indigenous economy through the fostering of business relationships, opportunities, and awareness. CCAB offers knowledge, resources and programs to its members to foster economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples and businesses across Canada. For more information visit www.ccab.com.
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For media enquiries, contact:
Marissa Baecker
Sr. Associate, Communications
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
mbaecker@ccab.com | 250-470-7779