Harper Government continues to Increase Economic Opportunities for First Nations across Canada

OTTAWA, May 13, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today released the Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) Inaugural Report. The report provides an overview of this innovative program and the Government of Canada's investments in key natural resource sectors of the Canadian economy.

Since its launch in 2010, the SPI has helped Aboriginal entrepreneurs and communities overcome persistent barriers that impede their full participation in the Canadian economy. Designed to coordinate the efforts and investments of multiple federal partners to advance Aboriginal participation in complex economic development opportunities, the SPI provides a way for the Government of Canada to support and increase Aboriginal participation in major resource development projects across Canada.

This Harper Government initiative helps establish new partnerships with the private sector and other levels of government to lever non-federal sources of funding. This in turn helps position Aboriginal communities to maximize benefits from resource development projects. In fact, SPI has supported the development of 100 new partnerships and leveraged more than $70 million in additional funding from non-federal sources since 2010.

With this initiative, our Government is taking concrete steps to ensure Aboriginal people can enjoy the same opportunities for employment, income and wealth creation as other Canadians.

Quick Facts

• The Strategic Partnerships Initiative was launched in 2010 under the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development to increase economic development opportunities for Aboriginal entrepreneurs and communities, with a particular focus on opportunities in natural resource sectors.
• To date, investments have supported Aboriginal participation in some of the largest projects across Canada, including the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario, Labrador Trough in Québec, Lower Churchill hydroelectric project in the Atlantic, shipbuilding contracts on the west and east coasts, as well as in oil and gas development on the west coast.
• Between 2010 and 2014, the SPI supported over 400 Aboriginal communities and organizations across the country in pursuing economic development opportunities.

Quote

"Our Government is taking concrete steps to expand Aboriginal economic development opportunities. The Strategic Partnerships Initiative Inaugural Report shows clear examples of how we can better work together to increase Aboriginal participation in the Canadian economy. These investments demonstrate the innovative way our government is working with Aboriginal entrepreneurs and communities to enable them to seize real, significant and sustainable economic opportunities."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Associated Links

Strategic Partnerships Initiative – Overview 
Strategic Partnerships Initiative Inaugural Report
Frequently Asked Questions 
Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development 

SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Emily Hillstrom, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160; You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds or e-mail. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.aandc.gc.ca/subscriptions.