Indigenous businesses, organizations, and communities in Canada can now benefit from a new service offered by Indigenous Services Canada called the Indigenous Business Navigator. This service provides a single point of contact that connects Indigenous organizations and businesses to services and programs from over 20 Government of Canada departments, including Health Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, among others. This service is designed to help make the process of applying for funding or business supports easier for Indigenous businesses, organizations, and communities.

The Indigenous Business Navigator was recently used by a First Nations tourism business in Quebec that needed funding for renovations, successfully connecting them to Canada Economic Development for Quebec (CEDQ) Regions, which helped the business secure funding for its project.

By connecting Indigenous businesses and organizations with the right services and programs that fit for them, the Indigenous Business Navigator helps to make various Government of Canada departments more accessible, strengthening economic development options and opening more windows of opportunity.

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, emphasized the importance of the new Indigenous Business Navigator service, stating, "Through Indigenous Services Canada, the requestor can simply email navigator@sac-isc.gc.ca with their information and the type of help needed, and a representative will respond and help connect the client with the appropriate service or program."

Indigenous businesses and organizations interested in utilizing the Indigenous Business Navigator service can connect with over 20 Government of Canada departments and agencies by emailing navigator@sac-isc.gc.ca. For more information on this service and its benefits, please visit the Indigenous Business Navigator website.

Learn more about the Indigenous Business Navigator at Indigenous Services Canada.