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ARTICLE · 16 OCTOBER 2026

Procuring An Edge: Inuit Firms And Nunavut Procurement

Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
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Gowling WLG

Gowling WLG

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Article 24 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement creates a treaty-based procurement framework that goes far beyond standard Indigenous business preferences. Businesses seeking to compete in Nunavut must navigate distinct federal and territorial regimes, establish genuine Inuit beneficial ownership, and deliver measurable Inuit benefits throughout contract performance. Understanding how the Nunavut Directive, NNI Policy, and Inuit Firm Registry interact is essential for structuring compliant partnerships and

CanadaGovernment, Public Sector

Procurement in Nunavut is not ordinary federal Indigenous procurement with a northern label. It operates within a treaty-based framework created by Article 24 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (the “Nunavut Agreement”), with distinct rules for federal and territorial buyers and a central role for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI).

For businesses, the practical questions are broader than whether 51% of the shares are held by Inuit. The parties must identify the right procurement regime, establish and maintain Inuit firm status, preserve genuine Inuit ownership and participation across the full commercial arrangement, and deliver the Inuit benefits promised in the bid.

The 51% threshold matters, but it is only the first step.

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