‘This is fraud’: Indigenous leaders sound off on federal procurement program – National
There are growing calls to overhaul a multi-billion dollar procurement program designed to boost Indigenous business that critics warn is open to widespread abuse by “front” companies claiming to be First Nations-, Inuit- or Métis-owned.
The Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB) program sets aside billions of dollars annually in federal contracts for Indigenous-owned and controlled companies.But Shannin Metatawabin, the chief executive officer of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, warned MPs Thursday of multiple cases where Indigenous people were brought onto a project only for others to reap the benefits.“This is fraud. This is criminal behaviour, and (companies misrepresenting themselves) should be barred from doing any business with the government go...










