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Mashteuiatsh, Quebec, October 25,
2006 - The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister
of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, has announced
an exceptional financial contribution of $3.8 million to the University of
Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) for its First Nations
Building project. He revealed this news on the occasion of the Economy and
Employment Workshop at the First Nations Socioeconomic Forum, which started its
work this evening, in the community of Mashteuiatsh, Lac-Saint-Jean.
Postsecondary graduation, in a context that respects Aboriginal cultures, is
an essential element in the medium- and long-term economic and social
development of Quebec's First Nations. Over the past several years, UQAT has
introduced different programs for Aboriginal clientele and, with the
communities, has developed a project for a Building that would become a special
place where the university, identity and development meet.
"I am pleased to be able to contribute, on behalf of Canada's new government,
to this one-of-a-kind project," stated Minister Blackburn. "This represents an
investment in the long-term economic development of the First Nations.
Construction of this Building, on which there is consensus," he added, "is an
essential milestone in Aboriginal people's access to higher education."
Exceptionally, Canada's new government is thus underscoring the staging of
the Socioeconomic Forum and catering to the special needs of Quebec's First
Nations with respect to training and economic development.
The First Nations Building will be erected at the Centre d'études
supérieures Lucien-Cliche in Val-d'Or, which houses the local campuses of
UQAT and Cégep de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Total cost is gauged at a
little over $8 million, of which $1.25 million was collected by local
stakeholders.
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Sources:
Nadia Marceau
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-668-4602
E-mail: nadia.marceau@dec-ced.gc.ca
Roxane Marchand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable
Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic
Development
Tel.: 819-953-5646
Cell.: 613-816-5094
E-mail: roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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