Expand the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program to enable businesses to access a new, zero-interest loan when a 10% advance is not possible.

Create a navigator position to help Indigenous entrepreneurs find programs that apply to their situation.

Work with all government departments to analyze and, as appropriate, adjust eligibility criteria to ensure that programs are as inclusive as possible.

— Forward. For Everyone., retrieved 2021-09-02

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• Provide $4 million over three years in targeted funding for the hiring and training of local and regional economic development officers.

• In collaboration with municipal and First Nations organizations, promote mechanisms that foster relationships between municipalities and neighbouring First Nations.

• Utilizing the existing infrastructure of Indigenous national organizations (NACCA & CCAB), provide capacity building and business education to enhance and promote Indigenous business success and success stories.

• Develop an Indigenous Business Mentorship Program where Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs can connect with and receive guidance from others who have succeeded.

• Modernize the First Nations Land Management Act to bring it more in line with the Framework Agreement.

• Commit $25 million to a national police support and community training program to reduce the incarceration rates of Canada’s Indigenous communities.

• Working with Indigenous community groups, establish a national working group in the Canadian public service to encourage applications from Canada’s Indigenous communities.

• Improve opportunities for Indigenous businesses to receive government contracts by:

° Setting active targets and accountability mechanisms for departmental procurement officers.

° Ensuring procurement rules don’t unnecessarily exclude legitimate Indigenous businesses.

° Providing constructive feedback to unsuccessful bidders.

° Working with ISED, investigating new measures (or enhancing previous measures) through the Industrial and Technological Benefits policy to increase Indigenous business involvement in the defence and security industries.

— Canada's Recovery Plan, retrieved 2021-08-18

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We believe that the economic recovery from COVID-19 must further reconciliation and economic justice for Indigenous peoples. A New Democrat government will work with Indigenous communities to support locally-driven economic development and create good jobs through infrastructure and public service investments, and expanded access to broadband internet and cell service for rural and remote communities. We commit to working with Indigenous entrepreneurs to find solutions for accessing capital and scale up, investing in Indigenous social enterprise projects and entrepreneurship, and to ensure that the federal government prioritizes procurement from Indigenous companies where possible.

Smaller Indigenous communities left behind by the current funding model need dedicated regional economic development support to help expand economic opportunities in a way that reflects the community’s social and cultural values.

A New Democrat government will also create a Northern Infrastructure Fund to fast-track investment and focus on improving much-needed infrastructure like roads and broadband internet for communities in the north.

— Ready for Better, retrieved 2021-08-27

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