Let me first say that I will work with you to see, with the translation bureau, how we can always support the needs you have legitimately expressed earlier. We recognize that speaking in our preferred language is always better when it comes to providing a voice to those people whom we have the fortune and the responsibility to represent.
Second, I am closely working with Minister Hajdu in many different ways. When it comes to the indigenous business directory, we're supportive of their work in the development of guidance on how it can support the broader indigenous procurement strategy, because there is obviously a key link between the directory and the strategy.
We are also working with them to coordinate outreach and to raise awareness to indigenous businesses so that they can fully participate in the federal government's procurement. That comes with coordinating the standing offers and the supply arrangements that can stimulate indigenous business development.
We are also working with Indigenous Services Canada to draft and update contract clauses, based on ISC's guidance.
Finally, we are working together to identify, reduce and sometimes eliminate barriers to federal procurement activities that are hitting indigenous businesses and workers.
I will end by saying, as Minister Hajdu said—and as you at every opportunity also support—that reconciliation comes with the recognition that for too many years colonialism has created those barriers and those gaps. That creates social and economic costs, obviously, but also broader costs for Canada, which we always should recognize and try to reduce as much as possible.
