Minority supplier development program gains ground in Canada

Mirroring a trend in the U.S. automotive industry, a new non-profit organization called the Canadian Aboriginal Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) has been created to promote purchasing from Aboriginal and minority enterprises by large corporations. DaimlerChrysler has announced that it will participate on the council.
“With the creation of CAMSC, the practice of minority supplier development is taking root in Canada,” said Jethro Joseph, Senior Manager of Diversity Supplier Development, Chrysler Group.
CAMSC aims to help Aboriginal and minority-owned businesses of all sizes gain access to new procurement opportunities. It will also assist major corporations to form links with smaller, enterprising suppliers. CAMSC has been established with assistance from the U.S.-based National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).
“The Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council will help DaimlerChrysler ensure that all suppliers are given fair and equal consideration,” Joseph added. Since 1983, the DaimlerChrysler has sourced about $24 billion with minority suppliers. Last year, it was among industry leaders in diversity procurement. Eleven percent ($3 billion) of the company’s domestic spend went to minority-owned suppliers.