Hon. Marty Klyne: Senator Gold, as someone who has inquired about set-aside programs before, not just in these chambers but also at the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, I’m deeply concerned about the recent incident where an Indigenous tribal council allegedly asked Indigenous Services Canada what was required to prove its Indigeneity during a verification process for funding. The answer was that anything would be accepted. You could provide a bunny picture if you wanted.

For the past two decades, Senator Gold, self-determination has been fought through Indigenous businesses taking procurement opportunities very seriously, viewing them as a crucial avenue for economic engagement, wealth creation and — just that — self-determination. This incident suggests a lack of seriousness on the government’s part, damaging hard-won trust. In contrast, provinces like Saskatchewan are known for their strict approach to preventing “Rent-A-Feather” and false indigeneity practices, as have Saskatchewan’s Indigenous nations. Can you provide the number of contracts over $1 million that Indigenous entrepreneurs have participated in since mid-COVID, including contracts initiated during the pandemic?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, senator, and for your continued advocacy on this important issue. As I stated before, but let me repeat, the response that was provided to the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council was, in a word, unacceptable. It did not meet the standards of Indigenous Services Canada.

This is precisely why the government simply needs to get out of the business of determining who is Indigenous and who is not. Thank you for your reference as well to what is done in your home province of Saskatchewan. The Indigenous Business Directory should be managed and controlled by Indigenous peoples for Indigenous peoples. Indeed, the government is actively working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners on this very process.

With regard to the question you asked, I have been informed that initial reports show that government departments exceeded the 5% target in its first reporting year, and that 6.23% of contracts were rewarded to Indigenous businesses.

Senator Klyne: Can you provide the number of contracts over $1 million for personal protective equipment since mid-COVID by province and territory, and for each of those, how many had Indigenous participation?

Senator Gold: Thank you for your supplementary question. I don’t have that specific information, but I will certainly reach out to the minister and pose that to them.