As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That, as required by section 6(1) of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, the Government of Canada ensure that the preparation and implementation of the action plan to achieve the objectives of the Declaration is done in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples and organizations that represent Indigenous businesses; and that the Government of Canada update the committee about progress on the action plan within six months.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada review and consider different options and partnerships to finance home mortgages, such as an Indigenous Housing Fund or long-term loan guarantees.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada work with the First Nations Finance Authority, the First Nations Tax Commission, and the First Nations Financial Management Board to test monetization through a pilot project on replacing diesel generation in remote communities.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada prioritize the creation of a navigator position in consultation with National Indigenous Economic Organizations, to help Indigenous entrepreneurs find programs relevant to their businesses.

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada address the impact of the administrative burdens of its economic development programs on Indigenous peoples; and that it put measures in place to increase resources available to Indigenous peoples to ensure they do not miss economic development opportunities as a result of administrative delays and long wait times for obtaining funding.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada clarify the exceptions for Indigenous beneficiaries under the Jobs and Growth Fund; and that it commit to being clear and transparent with respect to any arbitrary and discriminatory exceptions that may prevent Indigenous peoples from benefiting from the Jobs and Growth Fund.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with Indigenous organizations, consider options for improving access to capital for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities; and that options to consider include:

• establishing a pure equity fund for use by First Nations and regional development corporations;
• making the 10-year grant for First Nations available to qualified Indigenous institutions; and
• mirroring the Government of Quebec’s Indigenous Initiatives Fund III, which gives Indigenous communities flexibility and stability in terms of funding.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada improve and refine its requirement that a minimum of 5% of the value of federal contracts are awarded to Indigenous businesses by:

• requiring that at least 5% of all federal contracts valued over $5 million come from Indigenous suppliers;
• developing guidelines to ensure that First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations all have the opportunity to benefit from the requirement that 5% of the value of their contracts are awarded to Indigenous-owned businesses; and
• ensuring transparency with respect to how the federal departments are meeting the requirement that 5% of the value of their contracts are awarded to Indigenous-owned businesses.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada create a registry of Indigenous businesses and distribute it to federal departments in order to identify possible suppliers for federal procurement. The distribution of this registry will raise awareness of the services and products offered by Indigenous businesses and ensure better communications between departments and businesses.

Recommendation 10

That the Government of Canada work with the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, as well as other Indigenous organizations and education organizations that partner with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to support literacy, such as the Martin Family Initiative, to explore the possibility of establishing a National Indigenous Education Institution or Centre of Excellence.

Recommendation 11

That the Government of Canada implement the national Indigenous economic strategy that will soon be put forward by the National Indigenous Economic Development Board.

Recommendation 12

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with First Nations partners (including the First Nations Finance Authority, the First Nations Tax Commission and the First Nations Financial Management Board), co-develop amendments to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act to establish a legislative basis for a First Nations Infrastructure Institute.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada increase the resources available to the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA), the First Nations Tax Commission and the First Nations Financial Management Board to ensure that they can fulfill their mandates under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FNFMA), specifically:

• a) supporting the work of the FNFA that grants loans;
• b) increasing the upper limit of loans that FNFA can grant, for greater flexibility to engage in capital projects with high up-front costs; and
• c) working towards full recognition of FNFMA by credit unions and banks.

Recommendation 14

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with First Nations partners (including the First Nations Tax Commission), explore the possibility of expanding First Nations fiscal powers, including with respect to taxation.

Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada expand the mandate of the First Nations Finance Authority to enable it to provide its services to tribal councils, self-governing Indigenous governments and economic development corporations; and that the Government of Canada ensure that the First Nations Finance Authority has the resources necessary to fulfill this expanded mandate.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada work with First Nations to eliminate all barriers to economic development arising from the discriminatory and constraining provisions of the Indian Act.

Recommendation 17

That the Government of Canada continue working with First Nations partners, including the First Nations Lands Advisory Board, to prepare amendments that would clarify any confusion with respect to the interpretation of the First Nations Land Management Act; and that the Government of Canada report to the committee on the progress made to date.

Recommendation 18

That the Government of Canada establish, with the Department of Justice, a Federal Advisor on the Enforcement of First Nations Laws and By-Laws; and that the position be adequately funded and empowered to work with all relevant federal departments and agencies.

Recommendation 19

That the Government of Canada continue the work announced in Budget 2021 to redesign the Additions to Reserve policy with the overarching goal of accelerating and improving community access to land and resources, as well as increasing First Nations economic development opportunities.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada ensure that Indigenous communities are not penalized by their geographic location when postal rates are being determined; and that it ensure that postal rates are fair and do not undermine economic development in all communities, whether urban, rural or remote.

Recommendation 21

That the Government of Canada increase ways to support those Indigenous peoples who want to actively seize opportunities arising from the natural resources extraction industry; and that the Government of Canada explore with Indigenous partners how to best reconcile the need to act on climate change with the need to ensure Indigenous peoples can pursue economic opportunities in the energy sector while ensuring a transition toward a low emitting future.

Recommendation 22

That the government of Canada take into account the impact of remoteness and isolation on the funding mechanisms and the level of funding provided when designing and offering economic development programs and services to Indigenous peoples.

Recommendation 23

That the Government of Canada consider amending funding formulas to include local salaries in an attempt to address community economic leakage.

Recommendation 24

That the Government of Canada ensure that infrastructure funding reflects the realities of northern and remote Indigenous communities, as well as the importance of critical infrastructure in opening economic development opportunities; and that the Government of Canada find ways to meaningfully engage Indigenous businesses and communities on major infrastructure projects in the North.

Recommendation 25

That the Government of Canada work with all Métis leaders to ensure that Métis businesses and entrepreneurs have access to economic development programs such as the Aboriginal Business Entrepreneurship Program and the Canada Small Business Financing Program; and that the Government of Canada work with Métis leaders to co‑develop programs and institutions to provide the Métis with economic development supports equivalent to those provided to First Nations and Inuit.

Recommendation 26

That the Government of Canada work with Métis leaders to re-establish the Métis Economic Development Strategy; that it recognizes and provides for the distinct and specific challenges the eight Metis Settlements of Alberta face; and that it be accompanied by sufficient capital and financing.