Harper Government Helps to Increase the Participation of Urban Aboriginal People in the Manitoba Economy

Enabling Aboriginal people to participate fully in the economic prosperity of our country

WINNIPEG, March 27, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today announced support for the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg to deliver a project aimed at increasing the participation of urban Aboriginal people in the local economy.

The project will help bring together local governments, Aboriginal organizations, and the private and not-for-profit sector in a coordinated effort to better address the needs of urban Aboriginal people in the Winnipeg area.

As part of the project, research will be conducted on the unique needs of Aboriginal women with respect to economic participation. An inventory of Aboriginal programs and services for urban Aboriginal people in Winnipeg will also be compiled.

Additionally, this project will feed into the development of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy Regional Strategic Plan for Manitoba to ensure that efforts are aligned with the provincial government's economic and job creation priorities. The Regional Strategic Plan will ensure a coordinated and focussed effort in support of urban Aboriginal peoples across the province in acquiring the necessary skills for employment.

Funding is provided as part of the Government of Canada's Urban Aboriginal Strategy aimed at increasing the participation of urban Aboriginal people in Canada's economy by developing partnerships and supporting initiatives in communities across the country.

Quick Facts

• The Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg will receive up to $152,936 from the Urban Partnerships program as part of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy.
• According to 2011 Census data, 56 per cent of all Aboriginal people in Canada live in urban areas.
• Cities with the largest Aboriginal populations were Winnipeg (78,420), Edmonton (61,765), Vancouver (52,375), Toronto (36,995), Calgary (33,370), Ottawa-Gatineau (30,570), Montreal (26,280), Saskatoon (23,895), and Regina (19,785).

Quotes

"Our Government is delivering results for Canadians and supporting measures that will help create jobs and opportunities for urban Aboriginal people. Aboriginal participation in the economy is key to a more prosperous and vibrant Canada."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"Our Government is proud to support the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg. This funding is about ensuring that urban Aboriginal people in Winnipeg are best placed to participate fully in the Canadian economy."

Shelly Glover
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"We at the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg are very pleased that Minister Valcourt has approved this funding to our organization on behalf of his department and the Government of Canada. As pointed out, all of these undertakings will produce measurable outcomes that add value to the urban Aboriginal platform and community in Winnipeg. This city has over 20 major urban Aboriginal program and service agencies and the Council will share the products and findings with the senior managers of these agencies in our ongoing efforts to improve our positive collective impact on Aboriginal individuals and families in Winnipeg."

Damon Johnston
President, Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg

Related Products

News Release: Harper Government invests in Aboriginal People Living in Urban Centres
Backgrounder: Urban Aboriginal Programming, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Fact Sheet: The Improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy: Urban Partnerships and Community Capacity Support
Frequently Asked Questions: The Improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy
Fact Sheet - 2011 National Household Survey Aboriginal Demographics, Educational Attainment and Labour Market Outcomes

Associated Links

Urban Aboriginal Strategy
Urban Aboriginal Peoples
Urban Partnerships program
Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg

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SOURCE Government of 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