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January 14, 2005
Northern Development Agreement Projects Approved
La Ronge, Saskatchewan – Training and employment are the focus of two projects announced today under the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement (NDA).
Finance Minister Ralph Goodale and Saskatchewan Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger announced $560,400 in federal-provincial funding to support:
- work experience to permit 12 additional northern apprentices to achieve journey status; and
- four training programs providing opportunities for 53 northerners to qualify for employment in high demand industrial development occupations.
"Saskatchewan's north is a vital source of economic strength and stability. It will play an important role in the Government of Canada's strategy to build an even more globally competitive and sustainable national economy," said Minister Goodale, on behalf of Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "That is why we are committed to investing in skills upgrading and community economic development under initiatives like the Northern Development Agreement."
"The Northern Development Agreement is helping to create career choices for northern residents," Minister Belanger said. "These new initiatives will give northerners the ability to qualify for a wide variety of jobs from general labourers to highly skilled occupations such as aircraft maintenance engineers, electricians and plumbers. These projects will be particularly valuable in providing new opportunities for northern youth."
"The four new training programs offered through Northlands College, and related to industrial development, are based in the northwest Saskatchewan communities of Buffalo Narrows and La Loche," Northern Development Board Corporation Chair Al Rivard said. "This will enable more residents from northwest communities to take advantage of employment opportunities in the oil sands development occurring in nearby Fort McMurray and at northern Saskatchewan mine sites."
The two projects provide:
- $249,600 to the Northern Apprenticeship Committee for apprenticeship wage assistance to eligible employers who will provide employment and training that will enable northern apprentices to gain their journey status and certification. The committee will be targeting apprentices for aircraft maintenance engineer; automotive services technician; carpenter; electrician; heavy-duty mechanic and plumber.
- $310,800 to Northlands College to undertake four training programs (construction labourer, cook, camp services and pre-employment welding) to help northern Saskatchewan residents take advantage of employment in oil sands projects in the Fort McMurray area. Skills gained will also be applicable in other work environments such as northern Saskatchewan mining sites.
For additional information, contact:
|
Joanne Mysak |
Glenn McKenzie Dean Desjarlais |
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378) |
Backgrounder
Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement
The Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement (NDA) is providing $20 million over five years (2002 to 2007) for a variety of northern economic development initiatives. Just over $5.7 million has been announced to date, supporting 16 projects. In addition to a broad range of training to employment programs, other major initiatives supported through the Agreement have included improvements to the Athabasca seasonal road and expansion of high-speed Internet service to more than 30 northern communities.
Administration of the federal-provincial Northern Development Agreement is unique in Canada. Northern organizations are invited to submit proposals that meet one or more of five strategic priorities of the NDA:
- Economic infrastructure: projects that support major new economic initiatives with significant benefit to Northerners;
- Innovation: projects that could lead to new discoveries, new products or new services in northern Saskatchewan;
- Realizing Employment Opportunities: initiatives that will help Northerners to take advantage of employment opportunities, with emphasis on the needs of Northern youth;
- Capacity Building: support for organizations that will enhance the capacity of Northerners and their organizations to be self-sufficient; and
- Investment Attraction: efforts taken to identify, research and promote specific investment opportunities in northern Saskatchewan, particularly value added industries.
Project proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis for funding consideration under the NDA.
The Northern Development Board Corporation and the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement were both established as implementation mechanisms in support of Saskatchewan's Northern Strategy. The Strategy includes common goals and objectives adopted by NDB members and the provincial government in support of social and economic development in northern Saskatchewan.
The Northern Development Board Corporation includes representation from the Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities, representing northern municipal governments; the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan; the Prince Albert Grand Council and Meadow Lake Tribal Council, representing northern First Nations; and the Athabasca Economic Development and Training Corporation.
January 14, 2005