Canadian Forces housing build to benefit Indigenous business through mandatory procurement targets, says minister

National Defence Minister David McGuinty today announced Canada’s plan to build 7,500 new residential housing units across the country, and as part of that plan made the commitment to direct “at least, five per cent of contracting value to Indigenous businesses, creating meaningful economic opportunities for First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across the country.”

The construction of, primarily, one and two-bedroom unit apartment buildings will be at 25 locations, 280 in Ottawa, 1,000 each in Valcartier, Que., Petawawa, Ont. and Edmonton, Alta., 900-plus in Kingston, Ont. and 500 units in Gagetown, N.B.

Defence Construction Canada issued an advanced procurement notice for potential projects valued at approximately $3.74 billion, reads a press statement. The notice will inform contractors of the opportunities for construction. The opportunities will “support Indigenous employment, business growth and long‑term economic reconciliation through mandatory procurement targets and site‑specific Indigenous Benefits Plans,” reads the statement.