Ottawa ends ‘political accord’ with controversial Indigenous group
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) says they will challenge Ottawa’s decision to cut ties with the organization, which claims to represent off-reserve Indigenous people.
The federal government has severed ties with the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP), a group that represents Indigenous peoples living off-reserve in Canada, ending a political accord signed in 2018. CAP, founded in the 1970s, has faced criticism from some Indigenous voices for affiliations with groups claiming to represent Eastern Métis and Southern Inuit.
Despite this, membership in the organization provided companies access to billions of dollars in federal contracting opportunities through the Indigenous Procurement Program. CAP denounced the federal decision, stating that Indigenous identity does not depend on living on-reserve, federal registration, or adherence to specific administrative structures.
The organization vowed to challenge the government's action, demanding accountability. Indigenous governments have maintained their authority over their communities, rendering groups like CAP unnecessary. Experts have warned that non-Section 35 rights-holding groups claiming Indigeneity can divert crucial resources and support from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
A 2024 Global News investigation found that companies with questionable claims of Indigeneity had gained access to contracts meant for Indigenous-owned businesses, raising concerns about fraud and exploitation.
Written by urgent.news from Global News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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