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ARTICLE · 24 FEBRUARY 2021

Procuring An Edge For Indigenous Businesses

Gowling WLG
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The Canadian government implemented the federal Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business ("PSAB") in 1996, aiming to increase the number of Aboriginal businesses participating in...

CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Cam Cameron
Cam Cameron
Heather Lischak (Articling Student)
Heather Lischak (Articling Student)
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1. Diversifying Procurement Market Share

The Canadian government implemented the federal Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business ("PSAB") in 1996, aiming to increase the number of Aboriginal businesses participating in procurement processes. Since its inception, the PASB program has awarded more than $3.3 billion in contracts to Aboriginal businesses.1 Under the PSAB, contracts that serve primarily Indigenous populations or that are subject to a land claim agreement must be set aside for bids from Aboriginal businesses only.2 Further, the federal government encourages Public Works and Government Services Canada ("PWGSC") to set aside additional contracts under the PSAB.3

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