Running pattern detector against the corpus
The dataset shows contracts that started small and grew at least threefold through amendments — surfacing procurement relationships that may have outgrown their original justification.
Glassbox surfaces correlations and observations, not findings of misconduct. Severity is a calibrated read on how strongly the dataset matches the pattern definition — a starting point for review, not a verdict.
The match meets the pattern threshold but the signal is the lower band. Normal review queue.
The match exceeds the routine threshold. Worth a closer look — pull the source rows, walk the citation.
The match is in the highest band of the calibrated scale. Recommend: prioritise for active review.
Severity is computed from the detection signal · agreement_value is cumulative (F-3): original = amendment-0 row ≥ $100K · final = highest-amendment row · final/original ≥ 3.0 AND ≥ p90 of growth ratios among amended agreements in the same program · ≥ 1 amendment row · chains keyed by (ref_number, BN|legal name) per F-1 · signal = growth ratio
The dataset shows record 236-2022-2023-Q1-00473 (Holloway, Alison C · Canadian Institutes of Health Research | Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada) growing from $292,995 initial commitment to $1,464,975 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 5.0× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.1×) of amended agreements in "Investigator-Initiated Research".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
Once a match is identified, the dataset suggests these review actions. Glassbox does not prescribe outcomes — these are calibrated options for funders, auditors, and program officers, framed as correlations to investigate.
Pull the amendment 0 record. If procurement_method indicates competitive, the growth ratio is the signal. If it was sole-source from the start, the pattern is different (and may be normal).
Within the same department + program, what is the median growth ratio? Glassbox can produce that distribution. If this match sits in the top decile of growth, it warrants extra scrutiny.
Each amendment row is a published decision. Read the descriptions for purpose drift (also flagged separately as amendment-purpose-drift). Sustained scope expansion across multiple amendments without re-procurement is the review-worthy signal.
Departments with policies on amendment caps (e.g. 2× original within 5 years) can use this match to surface agreements that crossed the threshold and were not refreshed.
These are calibrated suggestions, not directives. The dataset shows the pattern; the funder decides the response.
Aggregated from the matches below. Severity bands are calibrated per pattern; counts and dollar totals reflect this snapshot only.
The dataset shows record 236-2025-2026-Q1-00705 (Bello, Aminu · Canadian Institutes of Health Research | Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada) growing from $146,880 initial commitment to $734,400 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 5.0× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.1×) of amended agreements in "Investigator-Initiated Research".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 236-2025-2026-Q1-00750 (Lewis, Diana M · Canadian Institutes of Health Research | Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada) growing from $603,432 initial commitment to $3,017,160 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 5.0× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.1×) of amended agreements in "Investigator-Initiated Research".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 236-2025-2026-Q1-01350 (Suddaby, Roy · Canadian Institutes of Health Research | Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada) growing from $420,750 initial commitment to $2,103,750 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 5.0× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.1×) of amended agreements in "Investigator-Initiated Research".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 064-2018-2019-Q3-00326 (PEMBROKE COLLEGE · Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada) growing from $302,442 initial commitment to $1,512,173 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 5.0× expansion, above the 90th percentile (3.4×) of amended agreements in "Peace and Stabilization Operations".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 086-2022-2023-Q3-00236 (SIMPCW FIRST NATION · Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada) growing from $266,000 initial commitment to $1,327,060 current commitment across 5 amendments — a 5.0× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.4×) of amended agreements in "Salmon Enhancement Programming".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 110_2018_2019_Q1_3996 (McPherson, Robert · Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada) growing from $686,000 initial commitment to $3,415,000 current commitment across 2 amendments — a 5.0× expansion, above the 90th percentile (2.0×) of amended agreements in "Discovery Research".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 172-2021-2022-Q1-970166 (The Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology · National Research Council Canada | Conseil national de recherches Canada) growing from $100,000 initial commitment to $491,849 current commitment across 5 amendments — a 4.9× expansion, above the 90th percentile (2.3×) of amended agreements in "Industrial Research Assistance Program – Contributions to Organizations".
The dataset shows record 172-2021-2022-Q1-969532 (Tech-Access Canada · National Research Council Canada | Conseil national de recherches Canada) growing from $1,050,000 initial commitment to $5,155,000 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.9× expansion, above the 90th percentile (2.3×) of amended agreements in "Industrial Research Assistance Program – Contributions to Organizations".
The dataset shows record GC-2018-Q4-00115 (Nuclear Threat Initiative Inc · Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada) growing from $264,000 initial commitment to $1,294,914 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.9× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.9×) of amended agreements in "Weapon Threat Reduction Program".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 172-2020-2021-Q1-951880 (N.G.C. Aérospatiale ltée · National Research Council Canada | Conseil national de recherches Canada) growing from $128,489 initial commitment to $630,000 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.9× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.7×) of amended agreements in "Industrial Research Assistance Program – Contributions to Firms".
The dataset shows record 141-2018-2019-Q4-00008 (The Board of Education of School District No. 36 · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $162,940 initial commitment to $797,513 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.9× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.2×) of amended agreements in "Youth - Skills Link - Project".
The dataset shows record 141-2021-2022-Q2-00221 (The Governing Council of The Salvation Army · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $100,000 initial commitment to $487,500 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.9× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.0×) of amended agreements in "Enabling Accessibility Fund - Grants".
The dataset shows record 033-2019-2020-Q2-812381 (Keewaytinook Okimakanak/Northern Chiefs Council · Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada) growing from $1,252,170 initial commitment to $6,086,687 current commitment across 6 amendments — a 4.9× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.2×) of amended agreements in "Connect to Innovate".
The dataset shows record 141-2019-2020-Q2-00083 (Assembly of First Nations · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $1,750,000 initial commitment to $8,431,335 current commitment across 5 amendments — a 4.8× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.8×) of amended agreements in "Indigenous Engagement Protocol First Nations".
The dataset shows record 086-2021-2022-Q2-00013 (Qalipu Mi'Kmaq First Nation Band · Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada) growing from $239,523 initial commitment to $1,146,684 current commitment across 2 amendments — a 4.8× expansion, above the 90th percentile (3.9×) of amended agreements in "Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy - Negotiation and Implementation of Fisheries Agreements (AFS / NIFA)".
The dataset shows record 141-2023-2024-Q1-00007 (TEAM Work Cooperative · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $1,329,406 initial commitment to $6,343,293 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.8× expansion, above the 90th percentile (2.1×) of amended agreements in "Opportunities Fund - Project".
The dataset shows record 014-2024-2025-Q4-02476 (Black Mentorship Inc. · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $410,550 initial commitment to $1,949,259 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.7× expansion, above the 90th percentile (2.0×) of amended agreements in "Youth Employment and Skills Strategy".
The dataset shows record 154-2023-2024-Q2-00035 (Innu Nation · Parks Canada | Parcs Canada) growing from $200,000 initial commitment to $948,800 current commitment across 2 amendments — a 4.7× expansion, above the 90th percentile (3.0×) of amended agreements in "General Class Grants and Contributions Program".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 172-2021-2022-Q1-970715 (Acentury Inc. · National Research Council Canada | Conseil national de recherches Canada) growing from $150,000 initial commitment to $709,700 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.7× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.7×) of amended agreements in "Industrial Research Assistance Program – Contributions to Firms".
The dataset shows record 141-2020-2021-Q1-00076 (Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $500,000 initial commitment to $2,364,940 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.7× expansion, above the 90th percentile (3.7×) of amended agreements in "Reaching Home".
The dataset shows record 172-2020-2021-Q2-954206 (Bureau de promotion des produits du bois du Québec (BPPBQ) · National Research Council Canada | Conseil national de recherches Canada) growing from $100,000 initial commitment to $470,000 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.7× expansion, above the 90th percentile (2.3×) of amended agreements in "Industrial Research Assistance Program – Contributions to Organizations".
The dataset shows record 141-2019-2020-Q1-24466 (Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Society · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $262,297 initial commitment to $1,216,060 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.6× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.1×) of amended agreements in "CSC - Opportunities - Regional and Local".
The dataset shows record 141-2018-2019-Q1-00169 (Le PAS de la rue · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $150,000 initial commitment to $695,128 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.6× expansion, above the 90th percentile (3.3×) of amended agreements in "HPS-Designated Communities-Shared Delivery".
The dataset shows record 141-2018-2019-Q4-00706 (YMCA of Northeast Avalon · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $268,129 initial commitment to $1,242,374 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.6× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.1×) of amended agreements in "CSC - Opportunities - Regional and Local".
The dataset shows record 064-2024-2025-Q2-00727 (WFP - World Food Programme · Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada) growing from $10,000,000 initial commitment to $46,250,000 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.6× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.8×) of amended agreements in the same program.
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 016-2025-2026-Q1-1375216 (FOUNDATION ASSISTING CANADIAN TALENT ON RECORDINGS (FACTOR) · Canadian Heritage | Patrimoine canadien) growing from $23,709,539 initial commitment to $109,187,695 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.6× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.6×) of amended agreements in "Canada Music Fund - Individual Initiatives".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 064-2019-2020-Q4-00089 (WFP - World Food Programme · Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada) growing from $250,000 initial commitment to $1,150,000 current commitment across 2 amendments — a 4.6× expansion, above the 90th percentile (2.3×) of amended agreements in "International Development Assistance Program".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 141-2019-2020-Q1-24455 (Acte d'Amour! · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $131,273 initial commitment to $602,350 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.6× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.1×) of amended agreements in "CSC - Opportunities - Regional and Local".
The dataset shows record 172-2020-2021-Q2-952314 (ASDR Canada inc. · National Research Council Canada | Conseil national de recherches Canada) growing from $108,290 initial commitment to $495,000 current commitment across 5 amendments — a 4.6× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.7×) of amended agreements in "Industrial Research Assistance Program – Contributions to Firms".
The dataset shows record 141-2019-2020-Q1-24462 (Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $500,000 initial commitment to $2,284,808 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.6× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.1×) of amended agreements in "CSC - Opportunities - Regional and Local".
The dataset shows record 141-2019-2020-Q2-00215 (CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $800,000 initial commitment to $3,648,577 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.6× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.2×) of amended agreements in "RH-Designated Communities-Shared Delivery".
The dataset shows record 141-2019-2020-Q1-24464 (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $378,886 initial commitment to $1,717,886 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.5× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.1×) of amended agreements in "CSC - Opportunities - Regional and Local".
The dataset shows record 141-2018-2019-Q3-00067 (Friendship Circle of Quebec · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $435,647 initial commitment to $1,965,156 current commitment across 5 amendments — a 4.5× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.1×) of amended agreements in "CSC - Opportunities - Regional and Local".
The dataset shows record 064-2021-2022-Q3-00137 (UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund · Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada) growing from $10,000,000 initial commitment to $45,000,000 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.5× expansion, above the 90th percentile (2.3×) of amended agreements in "International Development Assistance Program".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 086-2022-2023-Q2-00235 (OKANAGAN NATION ALLIANCE · Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada) growing from $428,514 initial commitment to $1,922,417 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.5× expansion, above the 90th percentile (3.9×) of amended agreements in "Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy - Negotiation and Implementation of Fisheries Agreements (AFS / NIFA)".
The dataset shows record 172-2019-2020-Q3-938057 (Global Dynamics Inc. · National Research Council Canada | Conseil national de recherches Canada) growing from $170,000 initial commitment to $750,000 current commitment across 5 amendments — a 4.4× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.7×) of amended agreements in "Industrial Research Assistance Program – Contributions to Firms".
The dataset shows record 064-2020-2021-Q4-00301 (WFP - World Food Programme · Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada) growing from $10,500,000 initial commitment to $45,500,000 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.3× expansion, above the 90th percentile (2.3×) of amended agreements in "International Development Assistance Program".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 099-2018-2019-04-00008 (Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute · Environment and Climate Change Canada | Environnement et Changement climatique Canada) growing from $240,000 initial commitment to $1,040,000 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.3× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.8×) of amended agreements in the same program.
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 086-2022-2023-Q3-00224 (LHEIDLI T'ENNEH FIRST NATION · Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada) growing from $454,215 initial commitment to $1,965,250 current commitment across 6 amendments — a 4.3× expansion, above the 90th percentile (3.9×) of amended agreements in "Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy - Negotiation and Implementation of Fisheries Agreements (AFS / NIFA)".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 003-2016-2017-Q4-03280 (Space Flight Laboratory (University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace|Space Flight Laboratory (University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace · Canadian Space Agency | Agence spatiale canadienne) growing from $166,000 initial commitment to $718,066 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.3× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.7×) of amended agreements in "Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 086-2023-2024-Q4-00560 (DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY · Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada) growing from $220,731 initial commitment to $950,878 current commitment across 1 amendment — a 4.3× expansion, above the 90th percentile (3.0×) of amended agreements in "Sustainable Fisheries Science Fund Contribution Program".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 141-2019-2020-Q1-24470 (Outdoor Council of Canada / Conseil canadien de plein air · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $121,984 initial commitment to $524,771 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.3× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.1×) of amended agreements in "CSC - Opportunities - Regional and Local".
The dataset shows record 172-2024-2025-Q2-1022449 (East Coast Innovation Inc. · National Research Council Canada | Conseil national de recherches Canada) growing from $150,000 initial commitment to $645,000 current commitment across 4 amendments — a 4.3× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.7×) of amended agreements in "Industrial Research Assistance Program – Contributions to Firms".
The dataset shows record 064-2018-2019-Q2-00234 (OCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs · Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada) growing from $5,000,000 initial commitment to $21,400,000 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.3× expansion, above the 90th percentile (2.3×) of amended agreements in "International Development Assistance Program".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 172-2022-2023-Q3-995716 (Trustcore Technologies Inc · National Research Council Canada | Conseil national de recherches Canada) growing from $118,000 initial commitment to $500,000 current commitment across 2 amendments — a 4.2× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.7×) of amended agreements in "Industrial Research Assistance Program – Contributions to Firms".
The dataset shows record 141-2018-2019-Q4-00710 (Trinity Theatre Toronto · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $281,886 initial commitment to $1,186,173 current commitment across 4 amendments — a 4.2× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.1×) of amended agreements in "CSC - Opportunities - Regional and Local".
The dataset shows record 172-2024-2025-Q1-1017913 (Ring Rescue Incorporated · National Research Council Canada | Conseil national de recherches Canada) growing from $100,000 initial commitment to $420,000 current commitment across 4 amendments — a 4.2× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.8×) of amended agreements in "Industrial Research Assistance Program".
The dataset shows record 001-2024-2025-Q1-00008 (Fierté Canada Pride (FCP) · Women and Gender Equality Canada | Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada) growing from $1,500,000 initial commitment to $6,300,000 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.2× expansion, above the 90th percentile (1.7×) of amended agreements in "Equality for Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Program".
Why this may be benign · The recipient business number is missing or a placeholder ('0', all-zeros, '-', 'n/a'): rows were grouped by legal name only, so distinct entities with the same name may be merged (KNOWN-DATA-ISSUES F-6/F-7).
The dataset shows record 141-2019-2020-Q2-00213 (Hardy Giles Consulting · Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada) growing from $318,145 initial commitment to $1,319,917 current commitment across 3 amendments — a 4.1× expansion, above the 90th percentile (4.1×) of amended agreements in "CSC - Opportunities - Regional and Local".