Canada/PEI Business Service Centres
Aboriginal Business Guide
Last Verified:
2006-08-22
The following Info-Guide is a document designed to help you navigate through the different government programs, services and regulations pertaining to specific business topics, and to identify those of interest. Although most of the questions will be answered in the Info-Guide, the list is by no means exhaustive. The selected items provide a helpful overview of programs, services and regulations in a related area. This blended product of both federal and provincial information is developed to answer a growing demand for strategic information by business people. Municipal and other non-government information could be included, depending on the content and region. Further information on these programs, services and regulations can be obtained through any of the following:
- calling the telephone numbers listed under the program descriptions;
- using the links listed in the program descriptions to visit Web sites and CBSC documents;
- calling the CBSC and speaking with one of the Information Agents; or
- visiting the CBSC Web site at http://www.cbsc.org/pe
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Financial Assistance
Aboriginal Business Canada - Industry Canada
Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) provides support to Aboriginal entrepreneurs for a range of activities including business planning, start-up, expansion and marketing. They provide eligible majority-owned Aboriginal enterprises with financial assistance; business information and resource materials; and, referrals to other possible sources of financing or business support.
Telephone: (902) 426-2018
Web site: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inabc-eac.nsf/en/home
Growth Capital for Aboriginal Business - Business Development Bank of Canada
Growth Capital for Aboriginal Business aims to increase access to capital for Aboriginal entrepreneurs who want to start a small business or expand an existing business operating on or off a reserve in Canada. BDC's program offers financing of up to $100 000 for existing businesses and up to $25 000 for start-ups.
Telephone: (902) 566-7454
Web site: http://www.bdc.ca/en/i_am/aboriginal_entrepreneur/default.htm
First Nations and Inuit Youth Work Experience Program - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)
The objectives of this program are to support the provision of opportunities for mentored work experience and support the development and enhancement of essential employability skills, such as communication, problem solving, and working with others. Eligible participants are First Nations and Inuit youth aged 15 to 30 ordinarily resident on reserve or in recognized communities who are out of school, unemployed or underemployed. The non-profit sector is eligible to receive a contribution of up to 100% of the applicable minimum wage plus mandatory employment related costs and the private sector up to 50% of the applicable minimum wage only.
Telephone: 1-800-299-8750
Web site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/ys/yth5_e.html
National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association
The National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association (NACCA) is a growing network of Aboriginal Financial Institutions dedicated to promoting economic growth across Canada through the Aboriginal communities it serves. Owned by 59 lending institutions known as Aboriginal Financial Institutes (AFI's), NACCA provides programs, products and services designed to promote and stimulate growth of Aboriginal business in Canada. Business loans, Aboriginal financial consulting services, and youth business programs are just some of the services NACCA supports through its member AFI's.
Web site: http://www.nacca.net
Peace Hill Trust
Serves the financial needs of the First Nations and their members, corporations, institutions, and associations both on and off reserve and also provides financial services to non-native clientele.
Telephone: (506) 455-3430
Web site: http://www.peacehills.com
ABC Aboriginal Youth Business Loan
Ulnooweg provides loans and business services to aboriginal entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada. This program is geared towards Aboriginal business owners in Atlantic Canada, aged 35 or younger. Loans can be up to $15,000 and may be used for any business activity except refinancing.
Telephone: 1-888-766-2376 (Truro)
Web site: http://www.ulnooweg.ca
Information Services
Journey to Success Aboriginal Women's Business Planning Guide - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)
INAC has developed a practical and easy-to-use business planning guide specifically for Aboriginal women.
Telephone: 1-800-567-9604
Web site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/ecd/js/journ_e.html
Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)
The government launched the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business (PSAB) to help Aboriginal firms do more contracting with all the federal departments and agencies.
Telephone: 1-800-567-9604
Web site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/saea-psab/index_e.html
Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI) : AWPI Employer Toolkit - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)
The Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative was designed to help employers recruit, retain and promote Aboriginal employees. The toolkit has been designed to help employers increase their awareness and understanding of issues related to Aboriginal employment.
Web site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ai/awpi/index_e.html
Aboriginal Resource Guide - Government of Canada
This user-friendly tool is designed to help Aboriginal people search for information they require to develop or enhance administrative and financial skills in order to increase their capacity to use the services of financial institutions successfully.
Web site: http://www.aboriginalresourcenet.com/Eng/index.htm
Aboriginal Peoples Survey - Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada maintains files from 1991 that provide a social and economic profile of aboriginal people.
Telephone: 1-800-263-1136
Web site: http://www.statcan.ca/start.html
Aboriginal Planet - Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC)
Aboriginal Planet is an online magazine that provides resources for people to learn more about the Aboriginal dimension of Canada's international relations. The site also provides tools for Aboriginal Canadians to get onto the world stage with its "International Opportunities" and the "Business Centre" sections.
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/aboriginalplanet/
Directory of Aboriginal Exporters - International Trade Canada (ITCan)
A directory of Aboriginal small and medium enterprises that are:
- exporting;
- export-prepared; or
- export-oriented.
Telephone: 1-800-267-8376
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/aboriginalplanet/750/business/directory2002-en.asp
CIDA's Aboriginal Procurement Strategy (CAPS) - Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
The Aboriginal peoples procurement strategy (CAPS) is an initiative aimed at promoting Aboriginal business development through the procurement process at CIDA.
Telephone: 1-800-230-6349
Web site: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca
E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Métis National Council
Promotes and encourages entrepreneurship within Métis communities.
Telephone: 1-800-928-6330
Web site: http://metisnation.ca
Native Investment and Trade Association
Has Aboriginal business directories for each region as well as the document called The Road Less Travelled: Aboriginal Entrepreneurs Building Economic Independence for the New Millennium.
Telephone: 1-800-337-7443
Web site: http://www.native-invest-trade.com
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business at http://www.ccab-canada.com or contact (416) 961-8663
Connects Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people and companies with the opportunities they require to achieve personal and business success.
Assembly of First Nations at http://www.afn.ca/article.asp?id=3 or contact (613) 241-6789
Presents the views of the various First Nations through their leaders in areas such as: Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, Economic Development, Education, Languages and Literacy, Health, Housing, Social Development, Justice, Taxation, Land Claims, Environment, and a whole array of issues that are of common concern which arise from time to time.
Management Services
CESO Aboriginal Services at http://www.ceso-saco.com/english/national/aboriginal/index.php or contact 1-800-268-9052
Has volunteer advisers for Aboriginal, Métis and Inuit businesses, communities and organizations.
Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO) at http://www.edo.ca or contact 1-800-463-9300 or (780) 990-0303
Supports Aboriginal economic development officers (EDOs) through networking, information, publications, support services and special initiatives or projects.
Taxation
GST/HST and Indians
Under section 87 of the Indian Act, the personal property of an Indian or Indian band situated on a reserve and their interests in reserve lands are not subject to tax. The application of the GST is consistent with the provisions of that Act.
For further information, see the document GST/HST and Indians or contact Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-5525; on the Web at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca
Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB) at http://www.itab.ca or contact (613) 954-9769
Provides advice and assistance to First Nations considering real property taxation.
Regulations
Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) at
http://www.cba.ca/en/publication_list.asp or contact the CBA at 1-800-263-0231
Has a document entitled Understanding the Regulatory Environment for On-Reserve Lending.
Canada / Prince Edward Island Business Service Centre
The Canada /Prince Edward Island Business Service Centre is an innovative partnership of federal and provincial government departments. Both levels of government work with key private-sector organizations to support business start-ups, modernization and growth in New Brunswick.
The Canada / Prince Edward Island Business Service Centre is accessible province-wide and free of charge. You may reach us through our toll-free number or visit us with your questions. Our office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. We also provide a 24-hour business information service, seven days a week, through our Internet site.
Canada / Prince Edward Island Business Service Centre
75 Fitzroy Street, Charlottetown, PEI. C1A 7K2
Telephone: (902) 368-0771 or 1- 800-668-1010
Fax: (902) 566-7377
Internet site: http://www.cbsc.org/pe
E-mail: pei@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.
Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.
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