76 per cent of Canadians think supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs is important for healing: survey
A new survey shows there is strong support for Indigenous entrepreneurs to develop and grow their businesses, with more than three quarters saying it's an important step in healing relationships.
The survey results, which were released in the week before National Indigenous Peoples Day, suggest 79 per cent of Canadians believe Indigenous participation in the economy helps "strengthen the country's social fabric."
The online poll was conducted by Leger on behalf of Sodexo Canada. Results also show 76 per cent believe supporting Indigenous business is an important part in repairing Canada's relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.
Part of that, the survey's results suggest, includes Canadian corporations helping Indigenous entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level and providing on-going support like training for Indigenous companies. Of those polled, 71 per cent are in favour of those actions.
"The success of Indigenous businesses clearly matters to Canadians," said Tabatha Bull, president and CEO, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, in a news release.
"The fact that Canadians expect the private sector to step up with action to help Indigenous entrepreneurs sends a powerful message to decision makers."
Fifty-nine per cent of those surveyed said they think having robust Indigenous participation in Canada's economy should be prioritized more by governments and the private sector.
Jonathan Kruger, director of Indigenous relations for Sodexo Canada, told CTV News Vancouver the survey results were "a really nice surprise."
"As an Indigenous person it makes me feel really good to see something like this … it shows that we're willing to work together again," he said.
"There's many successful business leaders out there, nations, and I'm very proud of them. There (are) other nations that want to become successful as well and we need to help them."
A survey of 1,589 Canadians was conducted online between May 28 and May 30, 2021. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.