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

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

THOMPSON, MB, March 17, 2015 /CNW/ - 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 City of Thompson's efforts to address barriers to employment for urban Aboriginal people living in Northern Manitoba so they can fully participate in the local economy.

The support being provided will help bring together governments, Aboriginal organizations and the private and not-for-profit sectors in partnership to better address the needs of urban Aboriginal people in the region. Additionally, this project will feed into the development of an Urban Aboriginal Strategy Regional Strategic Plan for Manitoba to ensure that efforts are aligned with the provincial government's economic and job creation priorities with the goal of increasing Aboriginal participation in the economy.

The City of Thompson partners include the Thompson Economic Development Working Group and the Thompson Urban Aboriginal Strategy Steering Committee.

Funding is provided as part of the Government of Canada's Urban Aboriginal Strategy, which is 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 City of Thompson is receiving $268,264 over two years from the Urban Partnerships program as part of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy.
• According to the 2011 Census, 56% of all Aboriginal people in Canada live in urban areas.
• 35.2% (4,475) of the population of Thompson declared an Aboriginal identity according to the 2011 Census information.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to support projects that allow Aboriginal people to take advantage of our country's economic prosperity. Supporting measures that help create jobs and encourage 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 City of Thompson in its efforts to encourage Aboriginal participation in the economy. These measures are another step we are taking to enable Aboriginal people to both benefit from and contribute to our country's economic prosperity."

Shelly Glover
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"The funding we received allows the City and its partners to build upon the success of the Thompson Aboriginal Accord and the Thompson Economic Diversification Working Group planning documents.  We will continue to work closely with the Thompson Urban Aboriginal Strategy Advisory Committee to ensure that we meet the needs of our urban Aboriginal residents, holistically and effectively."

Dennis Fenske
Mayor, City of Thompson

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
NHS Focus on Geography Series – Thompson

Additional links

Urban Aboriginal Strategy
Urban Partnerships program
City of Thompson
Urban Aboriginal Peoples

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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