Challenges, Opportunities, and Solutions for Indigenous Participation in Canadian Defence Procurement
This report analyzes Indigenous participation in Canadian defence procurement through defence policy, geopolitics, and technology perspectives. It emphasizes Indigenous inclusion as both an economic reconciliation priority and a strategic requirement for Canada’s defence readiness. Canada’s Defence Procurement Strategy guides DND and PSPC, prioritizing value for money, innovation, and socio-economic benefits. The Industrial and Technology Benefits Policy requires major contractors to reinvest in Canada and support thousands of jobs. Despite a federal 5 percent Indigenous procurement target, defence departments continue to miss participation goals. The report identifies systemic barriers and recommends reforms aligning procurement, ITB implementation, and UNDRIP commitments.

