Feds reviewing Indigenous procurement policies as they grapple with ArriveCan revelations [Video]

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said Tuesday the federal government is reviewing its procurement policies to determine who can claim to be Indigenous when bidding for federal contracts set aside for First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.

“It’s really complicated, actually. Defining who is Indigenous is challenging in some cases,” Hajdu said.

Hajdu’s department is responsible for auditing some Indigenous companies contracted to provide services to the federal government. 

Her comments come as questions continue to swirl around the COVID-era ArriveCan app that tracked travellers in an era of pandemic restrictions.

“We’re working with Indigenous partners to think through a better way, perhaps even at some point turning over maintenance of the list to Indigenous partners,” the minister said, referring to the Indigenous Business Directory.

That directory includes a list of Indigenous companies eligible for special consideration when bidding on some federal contracts.

As part of a reconciliation push, the government has been …