Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee.

Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered today on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe nation.

My name is Joëlle Paquette, and I am the acting associate assistant deputy minister of the procurement branch. Joining me today is Clinton Lawrence-Whyte, the director general of Procurement Assistance Canada, which offers direct support to businesses on how to participate in federal procurement.

The Government of Canada is committed to economic reconciliation with indigenous peoples, and, as part of this commitment, will continue to promote increased opportunities for first nations, Inuit, and Métis participation and inclusion through the federal procurement process.

I would like to thank the committee for inviting us today to speak to Public Services and Procurement Canada's efforts to deliver on its indigenous procurement commitment to award a minimum of 5% of the total value of PSPC contracts to indigenous businesses by the end of fiscal year 2024-25. I want to highlight that this is a government target toward which the Treasury Board Secretariat, or the TBS, and Indigenous Services Canada, or ISC, play essential and distinct roles. It is essential for PSPC to follow the rules set by both organizations in its effort to meet the 5% target.

The TBS is responsible for setting Government of Canada policies. On this file, it has provided clear direction that what counts toward the 5% are contracts with firms that are included in the indigenous business directory.

Indigenous Services Canada is responsible for implementing and advising on the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business program, including verifying the eligibility of businesses receiving contracts under the strategy—