Running pattern detector against the corpus
The dataset shows programs where a single supplier or small group receives a disproportionate share of spend — incumbency replacing competition.
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 · per (department, program) over the rolling 36 months to the corpus as-of date · program total ≥ $10M · ≥ 3 recipients · HHI = Σ recipient share² × 100² ≥ p90 of program HHIs within the department AND ≥ 1500 floor · bands: ≥5000 extreme, ≥2500 highly, ≥1500 moderately concentrated · signal = HHI
The dataset shows Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada's program "Salish Sea Initiative Contribution Program" disbursing $51M to 3 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 9788 (extreme; department 90th percentile 586); top recipients (PEACE HILLS TRUST COMPANY IN TRUST, TSLEIL-WAUTUTH SSI2024-SYR-2400-0, SQUAMISH INDIAN BAND) account for 100% of program spend.
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.
Concentration can reflect a few large contracts (volume) or many small ones (incumbency). Each implies different responses — the former may be one-off necessity, the latter suggests competitive design issues.
Some functions are inherently concentrated (specialty equipment, niche expertise). Compare with peer departments delivering similar mandates to identify outliers.
If concentration persists across multiple FYs, the procurement strategy itself may merit redesign — open tenders, longer notice periods, or explicit competition mandates.
Annual re-scoring lets the funder track whether concentration is stable, increasing, or decreasing — and whether interventions are working.
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 Canadian Heritage | Patrimoine canadien's program "Canada Media Fund - Canada Media Fund" disbursing $389M to 8 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 9217 (extreme; department 90th percentile 3889); top recipients (CANADA MEDIA FUND CORPORATION, CABLE PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHANNEL INC. / CHAÎNE D'AFFAIRES PUBLIQUES PAR CÂBLE INC. (LA), ABORIGINAL PEOPLES TELEVISION NETWORK INCORPORATED) account for 98% of program spend.
The dataset shows Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada | Relations Couronne-Autochtones et Affaires du Nord Canada's program "Governance and Institutions of Government" disbursing $133M to 14 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 9015 (extreme; department 90th percentile 6722); top recipients (NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR RECONCILIATION, SOUTHERN FIRST NATIONS SECRETARIAT, NATIVE ALLIANCE OF QUEBEC) account for 98% of program spend.
The dataset shows Indigenous Services Canada | Services aux Autochtones Canada's program "Community Infrastructure" disbursing $1.6B to 35 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 8936 (extreme; department 90th percentile 7067); top recipients (CIBC TRUST CORPORATION, THE MANITOBA HYDRO-ELECTRIC BOARD, SHAWANO CONSULTING SERVICES LTD) account for 96% of program spend.
The dataset shows Indigenous Services Canada | Services aux Autochtones Canada's program "Health System Capacity" disbursing $1.3B to 11 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 8805 (extreme; department 90th percentile 7067); top recipients (MINISTRY OF HEALTH, GRASSY NARROWS FIRST NATION, VHH VIRTUAL HEALTH HUB INC) account for 100% of program spend.
Why this may be benign · Large statutory or formula-driven transfers (health, equalisation, infrastructure envelopes) dominate departmental totals and inflate concentration measures without any procurement decision.
The dataset shows Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada's program "SDPP-Children and Families - Contributions" disbursing $66M to 5 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 8266 (extreme; department 90th percentile 3037); top recipients (Prosper Canada, Fédération des ainées et ainés francophones du Canada, Réseau de développement socio-économique des communautés d'expression anglaise du Québec) account for 97% of program spend.
The dataset shows Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada's program "United Nations Organization (including UN Peacekeeping Operations)" disbursing $117M to 3 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 8233 (extreme; department 90th percentile 3981); top recipients (United Nations Organization, United Nations Support Office Haiti, UN International Residual Mechanism For Criminal Tribunals) account for 100% of program spend.
The dataset shows Natural Resources Canada | Ressources naturelles Canada's program "The Critical Minerals First and Last Mile Fund (previously The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund Program)" disbursing $44M to 6 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 8232 (extreme; department 90th percentile 3580); top recipients (BRITISH COLUMBIA HYDRO AND POWER AUTHORITY, FOCUS GRAPHITE INC, CHAMPION IRON SERVICES INC) account for 96% of program spend.
The dataset shows Employment and Social Development Canada | Emploi et Développement social Canada's program "LFP – International Trade and Labour – Grants" disbursing $49M to 4 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 7546 (extreme; department 90th percentile 3037); top recipients (International Labour Office, International Labour Office, Pan American Development Foundation, Inc.) account for 100% of program spend.
The dataset shows Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada's program "Strategic Response Fund" disbursing $551M to 4 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 7236 (extreme; department 90th percentile 5001); top recipients (Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, MDS Coating Technologies Corporation, Siemens Canada Limited) account for 99% of program spend.
The dataset shows Indigenous Services Canada | Services aux Autochtones Canada's program "Supplementary Health Benefits" disbursing $20M to 10 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 7149 (extreme; department 90th percentile 7067); top recipients (University of Saskatchewan Northern Medical Services, QUEST HEALTH CLINIC INC., REGINA TREATY/STATUS INDIAN SERVICES INC.) account for 93% of program spend.
The dataset shows Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities | Ministère du Logement, de l’Infrastructure et des Collectivités's program "Canada Public Transit Fund" disbursing $5.7B to 186 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 7120 (extreme; department 90th percentile 3091); top recipients (Ontario | Ontario, City of Toronto | Ville de Toronto, Regional Municipality of York | Municipalité Régionale d'York) account for 94% of program spend.
The dataset shows Parks Canada | Parcs Canada's program "Youth Employment and Skills Strategy" disbursing $16M to 4 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 6255 (extreme; department 90th percentile 5635); top recipients (Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office, Project Learning Tree Canada, Canadian Parks and Recreation Association) account for 98% of program spend.
The dataset shows Transport Canada | Transports Canada's program "Program to Protect Canada's Coastlines and Waterways (PPCCW) / Ballast Water Innovation Program" disbursing $13M to 3 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 6165 (extreme; department 90th percentile 4075); top recipients (Mouawad Consulting Canada Inc.|Mouawad Consulting Canada Inc., Armateurs du Saint-Laurent|Armateurs du Saint-Laurent, Albion Marine Solutions|Albion Marine Solutions) account for 100% of program spend.
The dataset shows Natural Resources Canada | Ressources naturelles Canada's program "Contributions in Support of Home Retrofits" disbursing $129M to 14 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 6140 (extreme; department 90th percentile 3580); top recipients (GOVERNMENT OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, METIS NATION - SASKATCHEWAN, ONION LAKE CREE NATION) account for 91% of program spend.
Why this may be benign · Large statutory or formula-driven transfers (health, equalisation, infrastructure envelopes) dominate departmental totals and inflate concentration measures without any procurement decision.
The dataset shows Public Safety Canada | Sécurité publique Canada's program "(PDCP) Policy Development Contribution Program" disbursing $20M to 29 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 5894 (extreme; department 90th percentile 4308); top recipients (University of Regina - Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment, International Centre for the Prevention of Crime | Centre International pour la prévention de la criminalité, Métis National Council Secretariat Inc. | Ralliement national des Métis) account for 81% of program spend.
The dataset shows Health Canada | Santé Canada's program "Universal Access to Contraception and Diabetes Medications and Increased Access to Diabetes Devices and Supplies" disbursing $929M to 4 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 5772 (extreme; department 90th percentile 3930); top recipients (Government of British Columbia - Ministry of Health, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living, Government of Prince Edward Island - Department of Health and Wellness) account for 99% of program spend.
Why this may be benign · Large statutory or formula-driven transfers (health, equalisation, infrastructure envelopes) dominate departmental totals and inflate concentration measures without any procurement decision.
The dataset shows Natural Resources Canada | Ressources naturelles Canada's program "Contributions in support of Spruce Budworm Early Intervention Strategy - Phase III" disbursing $19M to 9 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 5617 (extreme; department 90th percentile 3580); top recipients (FOREST PROTECTION LIMITED, SOCIÉTÉ DE PROTECTION DES FORÊTS CONTRE LES INSECTES ET LES MALADIES, UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC À CHICOUTIMI) account for 90% of program spend.
The dataset shows Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada's program "SSF - Talent Development" disbursing $299M to 4 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 5591 (extreme; department 90th percentile 5001); top recipients (Mitacs Inc., Actua, Let's Talk Science (LTS)) account for 95% of program spend.
The dataset shows Canadian Heritage | Patrimoine canadien's program "Museums Assistance Program - Youth Employment Strategy-Heritage" disbursing $65M to 5 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 5560 (extreme; department 90th percentile 3889); top recipients (CANADIAN MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION, CANADIAN COUNCIL OF ARCHIVES, NATIONAL TRUST FOR CANADA) account for 95% of program spend.
The dataset shows Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario | Agence fédérale de développement économique pour le Sud de l'Ontario's program "Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD)" disbursing $21M to 8 recipients over the 36 months to 2026-09-01. HHI 5370 (extreme; department 90th percentile 2674); top recipients (Canadian Urban Institute | Canadian Urban Institute, FESTIVAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE | Festival Management Committee, A. F. C. Toronto City Inc. | A. F. C. Toronto City Inc.) account for 92% of program spend.