Ottawa says it's awarding more federal contracts to Indigenous businesses than ever before, but the Assembly of First Nations told a House of Commons committee it worries some of the companies have no ties to Indigenous communities. Ottawa says it's awarding more federal contracts to Indigenous businesses than ever before, but the Assembly of First Nations worries some of the companies have no ties to Indigenous communities.
"The AFN had concerns with the lack of transparency on business definitions and eligible criterias for the types of businesses who qualify as Indigenous," said Bernard. The worry among some leaders like Bernard is that many businesses getting federal contracts are Indigenous-fronted shells for non-Indigenous companies.
"I think anything that's going to help a marginalized group such as Indigenous peoples … is a benefit."