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ONTARIO LAUNCHES CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM TO PROMOTE ABORIGINAL JOB CREATION TORONTO, July 17,1998 - To promote long-term jobs and economic opportunities for Aboriginal people, the Ontario government is establishing a new, five-year, $11.8-million program designed to encourage more Aboriginal partnerships with the corporate sector. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs Charles Harnick launched the new program, called Working Partnerships, at the Canadian Bankers Association's offices today. Joining Minister Harnick were Chief Wellington Staats of Six Nations of the Grand River, Chief Jim Leonard of the Rainy River First Nations, and Aboriginal business and corporate sector representatives. Aboriginal people and communities face higher rates of unemployment than the rest of the Ontario population, as well as a higher dependency on social assistance. These conditions are often linked to a lack of economic and community development. ``Aboriginal people have told us that it is time for a new and different approach to promoting Aboriginal economic development,'' Mr. Harnick said. ``The strongest advice we heard - from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal leaders alike - is that there needs to be more Aboriginal partnerships with the corporate sector. Our new program demonstrates Ontario's commitment to action, and we are calling on the Aboriginal and corporate communities to join us.'' Working Partnerships is the centerpiece of a new provincial strategy, called Building Aboriginal Economies. The strategy is a coordinated framework of more than 30 Ontario government programs and services focused on four key areas: increasing partnerships, removing barriers, creating opportunities, and improving access. ``This is great news for Ontario and for Aboriginal people in Ontario. It will create a unique environment for strong partnerships, greater self-reliance and new jobs for the future,'' said Economic Development, Trade and Tourism Minister Al Palladini. ``This new approach will establish the right conditions for new investment and more jobs.'' ``I'm happy to see that the province is assisting Aboriginal communities to create opportunities for economic development in ways that will lead to long-term jobs for our people,'' said Chief Jim Leonard of the Rainy River First Nations. ``This government's program, with its strong focus on communities, people and economies, creates a major opportunity for the private sector. The program speaks to new relationships and to a common vision of the future by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people,'' said Charles Coffey, executive vice-president, Business Banking, Royal Bank of Canada. ``Corporate Canada must recognize the benefits and play a practical role in driving economic development in partnership with other stakeholders.'' The Working Partnerships program will help Aboriginal people understand the culture of corporate Ontario, and help corporate Ontario understand the unique culture and traditions of Aboriginal peoples. Building on this foundation, the program will provide eligible Aboriginal organizations with funding to hire staff who can work at the community level to promote partnerships and develop business capacity and expertise. ``We are proud to partner with the Ontario government and other organizations in this strategy,'' said Tom Morrison, regional manager forAboriginal Services, Canadian Executive Service Organization. ``With the province's commitment and a private sector that is seeing win-win opportunities, the strategy has all the elements to succeed. CESO is thrilled to be part of it.'' Based on what it heard and learned during consultations, the provincewill work to remove barriers to Aboriginal economic development by focusing on three key areas: education and skills development, access to capital, and infrastructure. Ontario is establishing an Internet site to provide Aboriginal businesses, entrepreneurs and communities with information about Aboriginal economic development programs, services and resources. Through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, Ontario has provided more than $8 million to date in 1998 for projects that are helping northern First Nations communities to develop and market regional tourism and to improve telecommunications and transportation infrastructure. Among its approaches to creating opportunities, Ontario is negotiating land claims with First Nations and Canada. Land claim settlements provide Aboriginal communities with economic development and investment opportunities. Since June 1995, provincial negotiators have signed five agreements-in-principle and expect to reach similar agreements on several more negotiations soon. This progress in reaching agreements-in-principle will exceed that achieved over the past decade. Over the coming months, the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat will work with Aboriginal businesses and communities, the corporate sector and other government partners to promote the strategy and begin implementing the Working Partnerships program. For more information, please contact: Bruce Malloch Barry Wilson Backgrounder Building Aboriginal Economies delivers on a commitment made by the Ontario government in the March 1996 Aboriginal Policy Framework, to prepare a strategy to encourage Aboriginal economic development through consultation with Aboriginal, private sector and other government interests. Through the strategy, Ontario will work with Aboriginal peoples, the corporate sector and other government partners to promote Aboriginal business development and encourage Aboriginal partnerships with the corporate sector that can create long-term jobs and economic opportunities for Aboriginal people. Building Aboriginal Economies is designed to benefit all Aboriginal people in Ontario, including First Nations, Métis, urban Aboriginal people, women and youth. The strategy identifies four key approaches: increasing Aboriginal partnerships with the corporate sector, removing barriers, improving access and creating opportunities. Over the coming months, the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat will work with Aboriginal businesses and communities, the corporate sector and other government partners to promote the strategy and begin implementation of the Working Partnerships program. Increasing Partnerships Through a new, five-year, $11.8-million program, called Working Partnerships, Ontario will work to promote and encourage more Aboriginal partnerships with the corporate sector Partnerships are key to promoting long-term jobs and economic opportunities for Aboriginal people. For Aboriginal communities, partnerships can help rebuild economies and support local job creation. They provide communities with new business expertise, access to investment capital, and education, training and job opportunities. Aboriginal business partnerships can help the corporate sector gain access to new markets and opportunities. They can provide a stable, long-term workforce, particularly in remote communities. Working Partnerships The Working Partnerships program has three major components.
The Ministry of Natural Resources will monitor implementation of Term & Condition No. 77 of the Timber Class Environmental Assessment, to assess its effectiveness in business and employment opportunities for Aboriginal communities. To promote mining activity, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines will continue to encourage mining companies to negotiate mineral impact benefit agreements with Aboriginal communities. When requested by a First Nation, the ministry will also waive Ontario's entitlement to 50 per cent of mineral revenues earned on Indian reserve lands. The Ontario Women's Directorate will work with Aboriginal women's associations and the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat to encourage partnership projects to support women's economic independence. In April 1998, more than 200 people attended the first annual Aboriginal Economic Renewal Conference in Toronto, which focused on corporate/Aboriginal partnerships. Ontario helped to sponsor and organize the conference. The Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat and the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism are working with the conference's other partners - the federal government, Aboriginal businesses and the corporate sector - to develop it into an annual event. Removing Barriers Provincial ministries will work to remove barriers to Aboriginal economic development by focusing on education, skills and capacity development, access to investment capital and community infrastructure. Improving Education, Skills and Capacity Development Under the Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy, the Ministry of Education and Training will continue to provide $6 million in annual funding to colleges, universities and Aboriginal learning institutions. This funding supports programs and services designed to help Aboriginal students stay in school and complete their education. The ministry will also maintain current programs aimed at Aboriginal people and youth. They include:
The Aboriginal Entrepreneurial Spirit Program Ontario is a partner in the Aboriginal Entrepreneurial Spirit Program developed by the Canadian Bankers Association. This 12-hour workshop is designed to train instructors to help Aboriginal people learn what is involved in starting and operating a business. The workshops help them to assess what skills and training they will need before they get started. The Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres is delivering instructor training workshops to off-reserve and urban Aboriginal communities. The Canadian Executive Services Organization is delivering the workshops to First Nations. Aboriginal youth who qualify for a business startup loan under the Young Entrepreneurs Program delivered by the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism in partnership with the Royal Bank, will be exempted from taking MEDTT's mandatory business training program if they have completed the Entrepreneurial Spirit program. First Nations Fund Ontario established Casino Rama to benefit all First Nations bands in the province. The casino's net revenues, through the Fund, will be an important source of capital for economic and community development. To date, more than $110 million has accrued for that purpose. Over the past year, Ontario and the Chiefs of Ontario, representing all First Nations bands in the province, have been working together toward establishing a mechanism for managing and distributing First Nations Fund revenues. Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation Through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, northern Aboriginal communities can apply for funding for projects that support the development and marketing of regional tourism and infrastructure improvements in telecommunications and transportation. Aboriginal community projects funded in 1998 include:
Improving Community Infrastructure Through the Canada-Ontario Retrofit Agreement, Ontario and the federal government are working together to bring indoor plumbing, sewage and electrification services to a total of 35 remote northern First Nation communities in Ontario by the year 2001. Over its lifetime, the agreement will create more than 3,000 local jobs. In 1997-98, the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation provided $3.2 million to help Aboriginal communities establish small business and community centres and infrastructure. The Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat continues to manage existing commitments under the $12-million Aboriginal Community Capital Infrastructure Fund. The fund promotes Aboriginal community development through capital projects that address health, safety and infrastructure needs. The Secretariat will also begin to consult with Aboriginal communities and organizations, to get their input on business infrastructure needs.
Improving Access Ministries will work to improve access by Aboriginal peoples to allprovincial programs and services related to economic development. Aboriginal Economic Development Website The Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat will establish an Internet site on Aboriginal economic development in Ontario. The web site will provide Aboriginal businesses, entrepreneurs and communities with a single, easy-to-use gateway for timely, useful information about Aboriginal economic development programs, services and resources. One-Window Approach in the North The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines' new approach to regional economic development in the north includes six area teams, in Kenora, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Sudbury and North Bay. Each team includes a specialist who works with Aboriginal businesses and communities, helping them to identify economic opportunities, remove barriers and establish partnerships. Aboriginal Affairs Coordinator The Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism has appointed an Aboriginal Affairs Coordinator to improve outreach to Aboriginal businesses and communities, and to identify barriers to access by Aboriginal people to the ministry's programs and services. Trade Shows and Missions Where appropriate, the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism will ensure that Aboriginal marketing materials are incorporated in Ontario trade shows and missions. Creating Opportunities Ministries will work to improve the Aboriginal business climate and encourage private sector efforts to create long-term jobs for Aboriginal people. Resolving Land Claims Provincial negotiators have reached a preliminary agreement on the Whitefish Lake flooding claim and five agreements-in-principle, on the Assabaska, Sandpoint, Big Grassy, Wahta and Whitefish River land claims. Ontario negotiators expect to reach three more agreements-in-principle in the near future. This progress in reaching agreements-in-principle will exceed that achieved during the previous decade. An agreement-in-principle sets out the basic terms of a final settlement that Ontario and Canada have reached with the First Nation. The province is currently working with the other parties toward final agreements on these claims. In 1998-99, the Secretariat will continue to negotiate land claims with a high potential for successful and lasting settlement. It will maintain Ontario's strong commitment to providing people who live and work in areas affected by claims with opportunities for meaningful public involvement, to ensure that negotiations address their interests and concerns. The process will be open, efficient and accountable. Community Economic Development In 1997-98, the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation
provided a total of $1.1 million to invest in 31 Aboriginal community-based
small businesses and planning projects across the province, both
on and off reserve, through the Ontario Aboriginal Economic Development
Program. Under the program, funding decisions are made by the Aboriginal
Provincial and Territorial Organizations. Program administration
is provided by an Aboriginal Supplementary Forest Fire Protection In 1997, for the first time, Ontario tendered for the services of supplementary firefighting crews. Four of the six successful companies were boriginal businesses. The province's supplementary crew system employs more than 600 firefighters and support staff. During the 1997 fire season, more than 350 Aboriginal people worked in fire operations across the province. The Ministry of Natural Resources provides advice and technical assistance to Aboriginal businesses wanting to provide supplementary forest fire protection services in Ontario, other provinces and the United States. Other Opportunities The Ministry of Natural Resources will continue to support a $1-million federal-provincial fund delivered under the Canada-Ontario Resource Development Agreement. The project fund helps Aboriginal communities to get access to, develop, use and manage renewable natural resources. As part of its efforts to promote tourism in Ontario, the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism will encourage the growth of Aboriginal tourism opportunities across the province. Working in partnership with Aboriginal Business Canada, the ministry has established a comprehensive database of Aboriginal tourism products and services.
~Canada NewsWire item July 17, 1998 |
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