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GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SUPPORTS ABORIGINAL BUSINESS IN ELSIPOGTOG FIRST NATION

OTTAWA, December 9, 2003 - On behalf of Allan Rock, Minister of Industry, Dominic LeBlanc, Member of Parliament for Beauséjour-Petitcodiac, and Robert D. Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, today announced an investment of $63 562 to support the establishment and growth of Cara's Café.

The Café is a full-service restaurant located on the Elsipogtog First Nation, specializing in homestyle Aboriginal cuisine. The business, owned by community resident Cara Simon, has been operating for approximately six months.

"Through the Aboriginal Business Canada program, Industry Canada is helping thousands of Aboriginal women entrepreneurs like Ms. Simon take full advantage of business opportunities in their region," said Minister Rock. "This project has already generated four full-time and three part-time jobs, and created additional business for local suppliers," said Mr. LeBlanc.

"The Government of Canada is fulfilling its commitment to work in partnership on a wide range of initiatives to accelerate progress in First Nations economic development and to improve the quality of life in communities," said Minister Nault. "This project is another example of how the federal government is working with First Nations to help them pursue economic development opportunities in Atlantic Canada."

"The support received from the Government of Canada is a contributing factor to the restaurant's success," said Ms. Simon. "I don't mean just financing. The advice received from the business development officers was invaluable."

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 Budget through Industry Canada's Aboriginal Business Canada program ($47 562), and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's Economic Development Opportunities Fund ($16 000). The initiative is consistent with the Speech from the Throne commitment to support the development of entrepreneurial skills and job creation among Aboriginal people.

The Aboriginal Business Canada program provides financial assistance and business information to majority-owned Aboriginal enterprises on- and off-reserve, in urban, rural and remote areas. The program supports clients of all Aboriginal heritage groups in all parts of Canada, as well as Aboriginal financial institutions and development corporations. For more information, visit http://abc-eac.ic.gc.ca or call 1 800 O Canada (1 800 622-6232).

The economic development programs of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provide First Nations and Inuit people with opportunities to create or expand their businesses, helping to create long-term employment.

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Industry Canada
(613) 943-2502

Patricia Ellis
Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Atlantic Regional Office
(902) 661-6232

Cara Simon
Owner, Cara's Café
(506) 523-6601

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