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For Release
May 06, 2005

Winnipeg Partnership Agreement invests in Aboriginal Community

Winnipeg, Manitoba – The governments of Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg are making a $150,000investment in the city's Aboriginal community under the new tri-level Winnipeg Partnership Agreement (WPA). The funding will support the Business Council of Manitoba's Aboriginal Education Awards.

The Honourable Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Scott Smith, Manitoba Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade, and Winnipeg's Mayor Sam Katz jointly announced the funding today under the Aboriginal participation component of the agreement.

"This partnership is an excellent example of government and business working together with the community to increase the potential of Aboriginal youth so that they can play a stronger role in contributing to the prosperity of our city," said Minister Alcock. "The members of the Business Council are to be congratulated not only for their vision in developing an important part of Manitoba's future workforce, but also for their commitment to linking education to work experience and job opportunities."

"Our Aboriginal youth play an important role in the future of our capital city and our province," said Minister Smith. "This project funded under the new Winnipeg Partnership Agreement will help young Aboriginal people to achieve their goals through work experience and post secondary education."

"As I have said many times, the Aboriginal community in this city is a resource that is just waiting to be tapped," said Mayor Katz. "Investments such as this one will play a significant role not only in the development of the future of our Aboriginal community, but in the future of this city."

"Encouraging Aboriginal students to fulfill their potential has been the right incentive, with results that are inspiring," said Council President and CEO Jim Carr. "Introducing some of these students to the workforce enables employers to learn first hand the valuable contributions that Aboriginal young people offer their companies," Mr.Carr added.

The Business Council of Manitoba is mandated to offer a constructive voice to public discussion in Manitoba and Canada. After engaging in discussions with Aboriginal youth in the province, the Aboriginal Issues Task Force of the Business Council felt that education was a key component to the future of Aboriginal youth. This resulted in the establishment of an awards program to support young Aboriginal and Metis students who want to pursue a post-secondary education.

The Scholarship Awards Program is administered through the Winnipeg Foundation. Scholarship application is open to students from all post-secondary institutions in Manitoba. Awards are provided up to a maximum of $3,000 for university and $1,500 for community college students.

In addition to the scholarship awards, the Business Council offers part-time and summer employment to award recipients as well as an opportunity for full-time employment upon completion of education. The opportunity to gain work experience while studying as well as the ongoing networking with Council members offers valuable contacts for post-graduation activities

The Winnipeg Partnership Agreement was signed in May 2004. Community consultations are ongoing to develop the component programs. Interested parties are encouraged to consult the Web site, temporarily located at www.winnipegpartnership.mb.ca, for program details.

Federal funding for this initiative is included in the fiscal framework. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is the federal department responsible for administering this agreement, including coordinating funding on behalf of the Government of Canada's Urban Aboriginal Strategy.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: please refer to the attached backgrounder for additional information on Component 1 of the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement.)

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Backgrounder

There is a strong tradition of the three levels of government working together to increase Winnipeg's prosperity and enhance its citizens' quality of life. From 1981 to 2001, Canada, Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg were partners in three agreements to build on Winnipeg's strengths and address challenges such as downtown revitalization, and social and economic development.

To date, the financial commitment levered from the private sector has been $77 million with an additional $49 million from other complementary government program sources. Most recently the Winnipeg Development Agreement provided $75 million between 1995 and 2001 for 700 projects. Prior to that, the Core Area Initiatives I and II helped to revitalize Winnipeg's central neighbourhoods.

This agreement focuses on strengthening and supporting the long-term, sustainable community and economic development of Winnipeg for the benefit of all of its citizens, through the four core component programs:

1. Aboriginal participation

2. Building sustainable neighbourhoods

3. Downtown renewal

4. Supporting technology and innovation

Component Program 1: Aboriginal Participation

The significant increase in Winnipeg's Aboriginal population during the past decade and projections for its continued growth present both a challenge and an opportunity. Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg recognize that a sound economic strategy for the city must include increasing employment opportunities and promoting economic development for Winnipeg's Aboriginal people. At the same time, Aboriginal health, wellness, quality of life and social development need to be addressed.

Winnipeg's Aboriginal community will play a lead role in the development and implementation of this component program and in ensuring it provides full and transparent access to all parts of the community. The program will make funding available to projects that are driven and implemented by the Aboriginal community. Project proponents will be able to access the program with a single application.

In keeping with the goal of full participation by Aboriginal people in the community and the economy, this program will focus on three key priorities:

1. Aboriginal economic development;

2. Aboriginal training, education and employment; and

3. Aboriginal health, wellness, quality of life and social development.