A former auditor for the government’s indigenous procurement program says a $160 million contract meant for indigenous businesses was awarded to a joint venture that served as a front for a non-indigenous company.
Garry Hartle, a former senior compliance auditor for Indigenous Services Canada, told the parliamentary government operations committee on Dec. 10 that Pedabun 35 Nursing Inc. and Canadian Health Care Agency Ltd. were in a joint venture for contracts to deliver nursing care services to remote indigenous communities. He said the joint venture was a “shell” for a non-indigenous company.
