Call 5 asks that Indigenous entrepreneurs in Canada have meaningful access to the capital and support programs needed to start, grow, and sustain businesses. There is substantial and growing activity in this area. The federal government, Crown corporations, Indigenous-led financial institutions, and private sector partners have all made significant investments toward closing the capital gap for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit entrepreneurs. Budget 2024 allocated $350 million to the Indigenous Financial Institution (IFI) network through the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), and a $150 million injection into the Indigenous Growth Fund aims to create a sustainable reservoir of capital for Indigenous enterprises.
Despite this activity, persistent gaps remain. Access to capital continues to be identified as the single greatest barrier to Indigenous entrepreneurship, particularly for women, youth, and entrepreneurs in remote and northern communities. The IFI network does not cover all regions of the country, and many Indigenous entrepreneurs still face systemic barriers when approaching mainstream financial institutions. Academic literature on this topic tends to be contextual and theoretical (examining frameworks around colonialism, self-determination, and the structural design of financial programs) rather than documenting specific active programs.
