Building “One Canadian Economy” Will Start in Your Backyard
As Canada’s economy transforms into a unified national market, visibility will be critical. ITFC connects historically overlooked Indigenous businesses to major opportunities before they hit the headlines—empowering them to scale, grow, and drive local economic development and national progress.
11 JUNE 2025
Picture this: an Indigenous-owned construction company based in northern Saskatchewan hears about a federal infrastructure project months after the contracts have already been awarded. This isn’t unusual—it’s the norm. Across Canada, many Indigenous businesses are unaware of major opportunities until it’s too late. The “One Canadian Economy” aims to change that. And if the next major project doesn’t happen in your backyard, don’t worry. This new economic vision is going to need you wherever you are. But first, others need to know you exist.
Canada’s interprovincial trade barriers cost the national economy an estimated $80–130 billion annually. These barriers don’t just frustrate entrepreneurs—they fragment opportunity, especially for Indigenous-owned businesses operating across provincial and territorial lines. With over 55,000 Indigenous enterprises nationwide, these restrictions hinder integration, limit growth, and perpetuate exclusion from national supply chains. But the moment for change is now. Projects of national significance are already forming through public and private partnerships—and they’re starting in communities just like yours. But awareness and access remain the missing link.
The time is indeed NOW to implement these much needed changes. — Chief Terry Paul (Chief of Membertou) and Hilda Broomfield Letemplier (President of Pressure Pipe Procurement & Management Services), endorsing the National Indigenous Economic Strategy
Itstimeforchange.ca has recognized this need for years. It’s not just time for change—it’s time to act. Action must go beyond reports and new agencies repeating old studies. So how do we act? The answer is simple: connect. Join the ITFC network. Our platform provides Indigenous businesses with digital tools that increase visibility, streamline supplier discovery, and match local capacities to national needs. Once interprovincial barriers are removed, ITFC will become even more powerful—offering a single, digital ecosystem that brings together suppliers and buyers from across Canada, strengthening the economy from the inside out.
The new “One Canadian Economy” is not a distant concept—it’s already emerging from the collective strength of local, regional, and national players working together. Projects that used to seem out of reach are now opening doors—but only for those ready and visible. If you’re reading about an opportunity in the newspaper, you’re already too late. Don’t miss this one. The 55,000 Indigenous businesses, hundreds of communities, and countless contributors across this land represent not just economic potential—but a new way forward. We’re not waiting for the future. We’re building it. Come join us.