Evaluation of the Indigenous Business Development Services (IBDS) – Management Response and Action Plan (MRAP)

What follows is a list of recommended possible options, prepared by PrairiesCan, of how to respond to the Evaluation of the Indigenous Business Development Services.


The recommendations aim to acknowledge that there is a need for support to Indigenous entrepreneurs in the early stages of their development. The evaluation provided three recommendations for IBDS, as well as two options. The options were developed by the Evaluator to provide alternatives to continue support to Indigenous entrepreneurs by other means, however these options do not align with the needs and demand addressed in the evaluation. The MRAP will respond to the recommendations and options and provide a corresponding action plan to approach the IBDS.

Management Response and Action Plan (MRAP)
Recommendations of IBDS evaluation Management response Planned action on the recommendation Responsibility/lead Expected completion date
Strategically restructure IBDS and increase investment.
Prairies Economic Development Canada would restructure the program to align with Indigenous entrepreneur ecosystem needs, government priorities, and fill gaps in the ecosystem, including seeking an increase in funding for IBDS.
Agree Establish a cross functional team to do a deep dive into the recommended options, to better understand the service gaps and needs of Indigenous entrepreneurs in each region, and to better define IBDS’ objective and role in ecosystem. Director General of Program Policy - PSD April 2026
IBDS should continue to use an RFP process to select the most appropriate delivery organization. Partially agree Develop a specific set of business services to be delivered by the delivery organizations that fill the most need for Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses, as well as a desired criteria for delivery organizations. Develop a targeted approach to select appropriate delivery organizations. n/a n/a
Once objective and design of the program have been finalized, update program logic model and develop a performance measurement strategy. Agree In collaboration with Performance Measurement team, review program measurement strategy,  develop indicators aligned with IBDS objectives and reflect unique regional circumstances, and update  logic model with the revised program performance indicators. n/a n/a
Making incremental improvements.
This option is to continue to operate the IBDS at status quo with refinements to existing program structure and delivery, preferably combined with an increase in funding.
Disagree n/a n/a n/a
Sunset the program.
This option is to eliminate the legacy program and stop funding the Indigenous business development services program but have the needs of Indigenous entrepreneurs met through other means (other projects or programming).
Disagree n/a n/a n/a

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