Indigenous businesses and programs to benefit from more than $7.5 million in federal investments
REGINA, March 15, 2018 /CNW/ - Indigenous businesses and programs in Saskatchewan will have support to grow their operations and create jobs in Indigenous communities thanks to new funding from the Government of Canada.
Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), highlighted investments of more than $7.5 million for 14 projects in Saskatchewan, through the Western Diversification Program (WDP).
These projects will improve commercial access and business services for Northern and rural Indigenous communities, increase Indigenous training and employment in growing economic sectors, expand tourism resources, and support Indigenous organizations that are championing clean technology. This includes Pro Metal Industries Ltd., a company wholly owned by the Pasqua First Nation in Regina which is promoting Indigenous participation in advanced manufacturing, including metal manufacturing, and the commercialization of industrial carbon dioxide equivalent reducing incineration technology.
These investments in Saskatchewan WDP projects are part of an announcement of over $27 million made by Minister Bains on March 13, 2018 at the Songhees Nation in British Columbia, supporting a total of 45 Indigenous projects across Western Canada.
Quotes
"Investing in Indigenous businesses and organizations will help build a more innovative and inclusive economy in Saskatchewan, while fostering the skills and resources required for Indigenous Peoples to fully participate in the economy and strengthen their communities.
- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
"For Pasqua First Nation, the acquisition of Pro Metal Industries – and our expansion into the agricultural, defence, and oil and gas supply chains – was an important step toward securing long-term social and economic prosperity. Now, going forward with the support of Western Economic Diversification Canada and other partners, our band will be able to leverage this vehicle to bolster the skills of our members, accelerate private sector-Indigenous engagement, and contribute meaningfully to the protection of our traditional lands and waterways. This is about showing the world what our People can do."
- Chief Todd Peigan, Pasqua First Nation
Backgrounder: Saskatchewan Indigenous Economic Growth Announcement
A skilled and entrepreneurial workforce is critical to drive economic growth in Western Canada. The investments announced today are part of the Western Diversification Program (WDP), the main program through which Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) makes strategic investments in initiatives that enhance and strengthen the economy of Western Canada.
On March 13, 2018, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada announced more than $27 million in funding for 45 Indigenous Economic Growth projects throughout Western Canada. Today's announcement highlights the 14 Indigenous Economic Growth projects in Saskatchewan.
Organization |
Project Description |
Location |
Funding |
Fond du Lac First Nation Development Limited Partnership |
Enhance Fond-du-Lac aviation and commercial access in Northern Saskatchewan |
Fond du Lac, SK |
$84,035 |
Mitacs Inc. |
Support Indigenous communities by creating the Northern Saskatchewan Policy Unit |
Ile-a-la-Crosse, SK |
$596,348 |
Keewatin Career Development Corporation |
Develop the Non-Timber Forest Product industry in Northern Saskatchewan |
La Ronge, SK |
$287,400 |
Flying Dust Market Garden, Ltd. |
Support expansion of market garden storage and processing facilities |
Meadow Lake, SK |
$407,030 |
Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc |
Facilitate Indigenous employment through assessment, training and industry placement |
North Battleford, SK |
$250,000 |
First Alliance Energy Services |
Strengthen First Nations business capacity in construction and energy service sectors |
Saskatoon, SK |
$180,000 |
Gabriel Dumont Institute Training and Employment Inc. |
Create an entrepreneurship program to assist Métis clients in Saskatchewan |
Saskatoon, SK |
$1,161,424 |
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada |
Develop Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta Indigenous tourism organizations |
Saskatoon, SK |
$220,000 |
Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority |
Support Wanuskewin Heritage Park expansion through the establishment of exhibit galleries |
Saskatoon, SK |
$550,026 |
Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc. |
Develop and deliver entrepreneurship curriculum for Indigenous women in Saskatchewan |
Saskatoon, SK |
$303,900 |
Cowessess First Nation |
Expand and commercialize a hybrid renewable energy generation system |
Regina, SK |
$910,000 |
First Nations Power Authority of Saskatchewan Inc. |
Enhance renewable energy partnerships and build capacity for First Nations |
Regina, SK |
$600,000 |
Pro Metal Industries Ltd. |
Support Indigenous participation in metal manufacturing sector |
Regina, SK |
$1,000,000 |
Pro Metal Industries Ltd. |
Advance commercialization of industrial C02e-reducing incineration technology |
Regina, SK |
$1,000,000 |
TOTAL PROJECT FUNDING |
$7,550,163 |
Additional Links
- Government of Canada Invests in Indigenous Economic Development across Western Canada
- Backgrounder: Indigenous Economic Growth Announcement
Stay Connected
Follow us on Twitter: @WD_Canada, @ISED_CA
WD Homepage
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388
IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.
SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada
![](https://rt.newswire.ca/rt.gif?NewsItemId=C6100&Transmission_Id=201803151000CANADANWCANADAPR_C6100&DateId=20180315)
Rhonda Laing, Director, Policy, Planning and External Relations, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Telephone: 306-975-5944, Email: [email protected]; Bob Dumur, General Manager, ro Metal Industries Ltd., Telephone: 306-552-5239, Email: [email protected]
Share this article