New Aboriginal Economic Development Web Site Launched on World Wide Web

(www.aboriginalbusiness.on.ca)

TORONTO, October 22, 1999 - A new easy-to-use Web site gateway to partnerships, programs and services was launched today by Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, Jim Flaherty. The site, called Aboriginal Business Development Online will provide Aboriginal businesses, entrepreneurs, communities, and the corporate sector with timely information about Aboriginal economic development in Ontario.

``This new Web site is an important tool that will help Aboriginal entrepreneurs and other businesses access key information about programs and services offered by the provincial government and Aboriginal organizations,'' said Flaherty. ``The Web site is one of several key initiatives developed under Ontario's Building Aboriginal Economies Strategy and the Working Partnership program which was launched in July of 1998. The goal of the program is to create opportunities for Aboriginal people by facilitating partnerships between the community and the corporate sector and helping Aboriginal businesses to access new markets.''

``We feel that this Web site will help build Aboriginal economic development, because of its wealth of information and potential for developing new partnerships with both the Aboriginal and corporate sector world,'' said Percy Barnaby, an Ontario Working Partnership Advisory Committee member and President of Abenaki Associates.

The 12 member Advisory Committee is made up of individuals from both the Aboriginal community and corporate sector and provides strategic advice to the Ontario Government about the development of new partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal businesses.

``The Web site will open many doors and help to eliminate the traditional barriers and constraints that have faced Aboriginal entrepreneurs in the past,'' said Suzanne Rochon-Burnett, an Advisory Committee member and President and CEO of the radio station, Spirit 91.7 F.M.

Aboriginal Business Development Online features over 200 links to programs and services offered by the provincial and federal governments, and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organizations and businesses. It showcases Aboriginal ventures, case study examples, workshops, forums and regional events and provides answers to many questions about the creation of business partnerships and starting a business. The Web site which is produced in English and French can be reached at www.aboriginalbusiness.on.ca.

Backgrounder

The Working Partnership Program was launched as part of the Building Aboriginal Economies Strategy in July, 1998. The strategy is designed to promote long-term jobs and economic opportunities for Aboriginal people by promoting self-reliance, economic growth and investment in Aboriginal communities. The strategy is a coordinated framework of more than 30 programs and services across 12 ministries. The strategy has four key directions: removing barriers, creating opportunities, improving access to government programs and services and promoting corporate/Aboriginal partnerships.

The promotion of partnerships between the Aboriginal community and the corporate sector is the goal of the Working Partnership Program. Since July, 1998 a series of program activities including today's launch of the Aboriginal Business Development Online Web site (www.aboriginalbusiness.on.ca) have been implemented to removebarriers and constraints inhibiting Aboriginal Economic development.

Other initiatives and activities include:

A total of 15 Partnership Development Advisors have been hired by Aboriginal Economic Development organizations across Ontario and will be available shortly to provide business expertise and partnership advice at a local level. (The funding for these positions is being provided by the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat).

A Working Partnership Advisory Committee made up of 12 individuals from both the Aboriginal community and corporate sector was established this year. The Committee is meeting quarterly providing strategic business advice to the government about the development of new partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal businesses.

A series of partnering workshops and forums have been organized on topics such as energy, business planning, tourism, industrial parks and an annual Economic Renewal Conference. These sessions have been held across Ontario and have been partially funded through the Economic Renewal Secretariat, a joint federal/provincial Aboriginal business/corporate sector initiative.

A partnership between the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat and the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation resulted in the establishment of a new Ontario Aboriginal Partnerships Recognition Award and a new Ontario Partnerships Recognition Scholarships. The annual awards will be given out beginning next year.

The Ontario Aboriginal Partnerships Recognition Award will be presented to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal businesses that have partnered successfully on a joint venture. The Aboriginal Partnerships Recognition Scholarships will assist Aboriginal students pursuing business related studies in Ontario post-secondary institutions.

Prior to the launch of the Building Aboriginal Economies Strategy and Working Partnership Program, consultations were held with more than 500 Aboriginal leaders and business people, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organizations, corporations and financial institutions.

Working Partnership Advisory Committee Members

Mr. Yan Lazor
Chairman, Working Partnership Advisory Committee
Assistant Deputy Attorney General and
Secretary for Native Affairs
Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat
720 Bay Street, 4th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2K1

Mr. Percy Barnaby, President
Abenaki Associates
1803 St. Joseph Blvd.
Unit No. 107, Orleans, ON, K1C 637

Mr. Tom Morrison, Regional Manager
Ontario & Nunavit, CESO Aboriginal Services
175 Bloor Street East
South Tower, Suite 400, Toronto, ON, M4W 3R8

Ms. Helen Bobiwash,
Canadian Aboriginal Products International
Box 189, Massey, ON, P0P 1P0
Phone (705) 865-2146 Fax (705) 865-2028

Mr. Harry Willmont,
Manager, Cultural Markets
Sales & Marketing Department, Royal Bank
20 King Street West, 11th Floor,
Toronto, ON, M5J 2J5

Mr. Lorne Crawford
Northwest Strategies Inc.
162 Autumnwood Drive, Thunder Bay, ON, P7E 6S3

Mr. Chris Gotmalm, President
Advanced Thermodynamics Corporation
103 Metig Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 5K9

Mr. Hans Matthews, Director
Aboriginal Services and Mining
PriceWaterhouse, Royal Trust Tower Centre, Toronto Dominion
Suite 3000, Toronto, ON, M5K 1G8

Ms. Suzanne Rochon-Burnett, President and CEO R.B. Communications
Regional Road 23, Welland, ON, L3B 5R6

Ms. Jocelyn Smith
Lake Superior First Nation Development Trust
2 Court Street, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 2W3

Mr. Craig Taylor, President
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Ontario Chapter
c/o Ontario Power Generation
H9E - 27, 700 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X6

Mr. Ted Williams, Vice President
Corporate Affairs, Casino Rama
R.R. No. 6, Box 178, Rama, ON, L0K 1T0

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For further information:
Christine Beachey, Communications Branch, Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat,
(416) 326-4778

~Canada NewsWire item October 22, 1999