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 going forward,” Metatawabin told a House of Commons committee.
“Indigenous identity fraud won’t happen if (the program) is handed to an Indigenous community.”
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The hearings came after a Global News investigation, in partnership with researchers at First …