b'VIRTUAL WORKONLINE BUSINESS BOOMThe loss of brick-and-mortar offices and retail locations has hit many small businesses hard. That includes busi-nesses in Indigenous communities that relied on physical storefronts and real interactions to drive their operations. The upside is that a growing number of Indigenous entre-preneurs have migrated their products and services online.This pandemic underscores the power of e-commerce, particularly for small retailers, says Robert Bigler, generalMoreover, the online selling platform introduced manager of eBay Canada, who delivered the keynoteeBay.ca/together, a dedicated microsite created address at CCABs Business Recovery Forum last autumn.to make it easier for Canadians to shop from More Canadian businesses than ever are using eBayslocal businesses.global platform and seeing their domestic and interna-tional sales take off as eBay gives them access to 185Through programs like the Up & Running accelerator million active buyers around the world. and other eBay initiatives, coupled with the acceler-ation of e-commerce due to pandemic restrictions According to eBays numbers, 2020 saw a dramaticand safety measures, we also saw an increase in uptick in small business activity. The companys own Upactivity from Canadian small businesses on our site, & Running program has contributed to that uptick bysays Bigler. In fact, Canadian small businesses on making a wealth of online e-commerce tools, guides andeBay saw a more than 40 per cent increase in both resources available to small business owners.sales and sold items in Q4 2020.BUILDING A FUTURE TOGETHERWith a commitment to build lasting, strongand mutually beneficial relationships, Hydro Oneis proud to be recognized as a champion in Indigenous procurement by the Canadian Councilfor Aboriginal Business.Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Hydro One has continued to expand its Indigenous supplier base and spent $42 million with Indigenous businesses for goods and services in 2020the highest amount to date.HydroOne.com/IndigenousProcurementAboriginal BUSINESS REPORT55'