The Government of Canada invests in the Renewal of the True North Treasure Initiative

KUUJJUAQ, QC, Sept. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is working in partnership with First Nations and Inuit Peoples in Quebec to support their participation in mining development in the Labrador Trough.

Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, announced an investment of $5.3 million over three years for the renewal of the True North Treasure Initiative. By promoting the creation of partnerships, this initiative aims to develop Indigenous human capital and entrepreneurship and generate sustainable revenues for First Nations and Inuit.

In its first three years of operation, the True North Treasure Initiative focused mainly on the Innu and Naskapi communities. Workforce profiles were developed to match the training offered in these communities with the labour demand of the mining industry. A directory of Indigenous businesses in Quebec has also been created to help Indigenous businesses to find procurement opportunities.

For the next three years, the True North Treasure Initiative will continue its work with the Innu and Naskapi communities, but will also involve Inuit communities, since they are located in the heart of the Labrador Trough, where the mining activity is taking place.

Quote

"Balancing community and industry interests is essential for social and economic wellbeing. By building community capacity through True North Treasure Initiative, Inuit and First Nation communities have been able to access benefits from the Labrador Trough development.  Renewing the True North Treasure Initiative means more Indigenous communities will be able to access  supports such as training, negotiating Impact Benefit Agreements, and networking opportunities for Indigenous business to obtain jobs in the mining industry."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

Quick facts

• The True North Treasure Initiative is part of the Government of Canada's Strategic Partnerships Initiative, which supports Indigenous participation in key sectors of the Canadian economy, such as agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining and energy.
• The True North Treasure Initiative, specific to Quebec, was established to encourage Indigenous participation in province's northern development, particularly in major mining projects in the Labrador Trough.
• The Labrador Trough is a 60,000 km² geological belt north of Sept-Îles, straddling Quebec and Labrador. This region is one of the drivers of the mining industry north of the 49^th parallel.
• The initiative, launched in 2013, has been renewed for a further three years, from 2016 to 2019.

Related links

True North Treasure Initiative web page
Aboriginal Business Directory

Follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Flickr.

You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds or email. For more information or to subscribe, visit: www.aandc.gc.ca/subscriptions

SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

For more information, media may contact: Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160