Item - 2024.EX19.19

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, in consultation with the Chief Procurement Officer and the Procurement Advisory Circle, to work to accelerate the work plan where possible.

At its meeting on May 10, 11 and 12, 2023, City Council directed the Chief Procurement Officer to co-develop an Indigenous Procurement Strategy with Indigenous businesses and communities and present to City Council on progress towards developing the Strategy no later than the third quarter of 2024. This report provides an update on this work.

Purchasing and Materials Management Division (PMMD) was approved through the 2023 Operating Budget process to hire a Policy Development Officer dedicated to co-developing the Indigenous Procurement Strategy with Indigenous businesses and communities. The recruitment was completed and the position was filled in April 2024. Since that time, PMMD has developed a work plan to guide the co-development of a First Nations, Inuit and Métis Procurement Policy (this is an updated working title reflective of work to-date).

Since PMMD has never engaged with the Indigenous community, the goal for 2024 has been to build relationships and to foster connections with Indigenous partners, agencies and businesses. PMMD has completed two engagement sessions with First Nations, Inuit and Métis businesses, one session with Indigenous agencies and partners, and one planning session to complete the Terms of Reference for an Advisory Circle. The first meeting of the Advisory Circle is planned in December. PMMD also sponsored three community conferences on First Nations, Inuit and Métis economic development.

2025 will be a year of engagement, and national engagement with Indigenous businesses, agencies and partners is being planned. The policy will be drafted in 2026, with the goal of circulating to Indigenous businesses, agencies and partners in 2027 for feedback and revisions. In 2028, the policy will be presented to City Council for approval, followed by implementation and monitoring, and an education campaign for both businesses and staff.