Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Businesses
Highlights
This program is a great opportunity for your business to gain visibility and access to federal contracts. By registering in the Indigenous Business Directory (IBD), your business profile will be available to all levels of government and the private sector. This can lead to increased business opportunities and potential growth.
Why Apply?
- Increased Visibility: Your business will be more visible to potential clients and partners.
- Access to Federal Contracts: You will be eligible for federal contracts under the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB).
- Enhanced Credibility: Being listed in the IBD confirms your business's eligibility and credibility.
Benefits
- Public Profile: Your business will have a public profile that can attract new opportunities.
- Government Backing: The program is supported by Indigenous Services Canada, ensuring reliability and trust.
- Easy Qualification: If your business meets the ownership and control criteria, qualifying is straightforward.
Registering in the IBD can open doors to new contracts and partnerships, helping your business grow and succeed.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Repayment Terms:
- No repayment required.
- No interest rates apply.
Eligible Expenses:
- Equipment purchases
- Leasehold improvements
- Intangible assets
- Working capital
- Training and development programs
- Marketing and promotional activities
Ineligible Expenses:
- Personal expenses
- Debt refinancing
- Real estate purchases
- Salaries for existing staff
Fees:
- No application fees
- No administrative fees
Qualifications
- Must be at least 51% owned and controlled by Indigenous peoples.
- Business types that qualify:
- A band as defined by the Indian Act
- A sole proprietorship
- A limited company
- A co-operative
- A partnership
- A not-for-profit organization with at least 51% Indigenous ownership and control
- A joint venture with at least 51% Indigenous ownership and control
- Business owners must be First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.
- Business owners must be ordinarily resident in Canada.
- Evidence of being an Indigenous person includes:
- Indian registration in Canada
- Citizenship with the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, or a Governing Member of the Métis National Council
- Membership in an affiliate of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, or other recognized Indigenous organization in Canada
- Acceptance as an Indigenous person by an established Indigenous community in Canada
- Enrolment or entitlement to be enrolled pursuant to a comprehensive land claim agreement
- Membership or entitlement to membership in a group with an accepted comprehensive claim
Evidence of being resident in Canada includes:
- A provincial or territorial driver's license
- A lease or other appropriate document
Disqualifications:
- Businesses not at least 51% owned and controlled by Indigenous peoples.
- Business owners not ordinarily resident in Canada.
Description
The Indigenous Business Directory (IBD) is a valuable tool for your business. By registering, your business can gain visibility and access to federal contracts. This can open up new opportunities for growth.
All levels of government and the private sector use this directory to find Indigenous businesses for their needs. Your profile in the IBD confirms your eligibility for contracts under the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB).
Increased visibility can lead to more business opportunities. Being listed means your business is recognized as a reliable partner for government and private sector projects. This can help you secure more contracts and grow your business.
Program Steps
Register/Log In: Visit the Indigenous Business Directory (IBD) website and create an account or log in if you already have one.
Enter Basic Information: Provide your email address and phone number in the required fields.
Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documents to prove eligibility and ownership. These include:
- Proof of Indigenous identity (e.g., Indian registration, Métis citizenship, membership in a recognized Indigenous organization)
- Proof of Canadian residency (e.g., provincial or territorial driver's license, lease agreement)
- Evidence of business ownership and control (e.g., incorporation documents, shareholders' register, partnership agreements, business name registration, banking arrangements, governance documents, minutes of meetings, other legal documents)
Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form with accurate and detailed information about your business.
Submit Documentation: Upload the prepared documents as part of your application.
Consent to Information Sharing: By submitting your application, you consent to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) sharing your information with relevant government bodies, organizations, or communities for verification purposes.
Review and Submit: Double-check all the information and documents for accuracy. Once confirmed, submit your application.
Await Confirmation: After submission, wait for confirmation from ISC regarding the status of your application. They may contact you for additional information or clarification if needed.
Update Your Profile: Once approved, ensure your business profile is up-to-date to maximize visibility and opportunities for federal contracts and other business prospects.