Business leaders step up for Indigenous entrepreneurs


Toronto, June 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) in partnership with a network of 28 leading corporations has launched an unprecedented multi-year strategy to increase procurement contracts for Indigenous-owned businesses.

Called Supply Change, CCAB’s Aboriginal Procurement Initiative aims to create long-term sustainable opportunities for Aboriginal businesses and a meaningful advance of Indigenous participation in the economy.


CCAB’s Supply Change movement includes:

  • Recruiting business leaders to serve as Aboriginal Procurement Champions
  • Creating Canada’s largest directory of Certified Aboriginal Businesses (CABs), which are independently certified as at least 51 per cent Aboriginal owned and operated
  • Establishing a digital Aboriginal Procurement Marketplace through which corporations and small and medium enterprises (SME’s) with procurement opportunities can easily connect with qualified Aboriginal companies

Participation in CCAB’s Supply Change initiative is open to all corporations and SMEs with the potential to include Indigenous-owned companies in their supplier networks.

Companies who become Aboriginal Procurement Champions commit themselves to increasing procurement opportunities for Aboriginal-owned businesses. They also pledge to motivate companies within their networks to advance Indigenous business inclusion.

Twenty-eight corporations have joined Supply Change as Aboriginal Procurement Champions. They include: Aecon, BC Housing, Bee-Clean Building Maintenance, Bird Construction, Bouchier Group, Bruce Power, Cameco, CIBC, Civeo, CN, E. S. Fox Limited, Fisher Powerline Construction, Fluor Canada Ltd., Hydro One, Imperial, LiUNA, Ontario Power Generation, ORIGIN, RBC, Resolute Forest Products, Simon Fraser University, Sodexo, Stantec, Suncor, Tuccaro Group, Union Gas, Venshore Mechanical and VIP Powerline.

“These inaugural Procurement Champions recognize the business value Indigenous entrepreneurs bring to the table and that everyone wins when supply chains are inclusive.” says JP Gladu, CCAB’s president and CEO. “These champions are showing a viable way forward to economic reconciliation. Our hope is that their example will inspire business leaders from all sectors to step up and join the Supply Change movement.”

There are now an estimated 43,000 Aboriginal-owned businesses in Canada. Indigenous entrepreneurs operate in every province and territory across a range of sectors – including natural resources, construction, manufacturing, retail and services.

“Canada’s Indigenous entrepreneurs have proven time and time again they have the skills, talent and innovative spirit needed to thrive in business,” says Mark Little, chief operating officer, Suncor, and co-chair of CCAB’s Aboriginal Procurement Initiative.  “The capability and diversity of Aboriginal businesses is outstanding and continues to grow. Encouraging greater Indigenous participation in supply chains is not only the right thing to do, it’s smart business.”


About CCAB

CCAB is committed to the full participation of Indigenous peoples in Canada’s economy. A national, non-partisan association, CCAB offers knowledge, resources and programs to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal owned companies that foster economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples and businesses across Canada.


www.ccab.com



            

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