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CANADA-SASKATCHEWAN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT AIMED AT BOOSTING ABORIGINAL EMPLOYMENT

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN (September 16, 2004) - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan today signed a partnership agreement to work together to develop a strategy for Aboriginal employment. The agreement was signed by the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and the Honourable Maynard Sonntag, Saskatchewan Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

Through this agreement, the Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan will establish a joint strategy to encourage employers to prepare workplaces by removing barriers that would traditionally limit or discourage Aboriginal participation.

In addition, the parties will work to improve labour force planning, training, development and retention. The governments will also work with Aboriginal people in the province to find ways to facilitate constructive cultural relations, enhance linkages to the Aboriginal labour force and identify potential business development initiatives and procurement opportunities.

The employment strategy will empower Aboriginal communities by enabling them to focus their training in areas of their choice based on a variety of opportunities gathered through the partnership process.

"Aboriginal employment initiatives are aimed at getting Aboriginal people into the workforce so they fully participate in Canada's economy," said Minister Scott. "We want all Canadian people to feel the security and joy that comes with earning a living. We want to see Aboriginal youth enter the workforce, confident they can make a contribution."

"I look forward to continuing this important work with Aboriginal people and the federal government to create a representative workforce and provide opportunities for the training and retention of First Nations and Métis people in a wide variety of fields," said Minister Sonntag.

The agreement builds on the success of existing provincial and federal initiatives.

Since 1995, Saskatchewan's Aboriginal Employment Development Program (AEDP) has signed 56 partnerships with private companies, educational institutions, unions, First Nations and Metis organizations and government organizations. The partnerships have resulted in more than 1,900 Aboriginal people winning job competitions and 8,500 managers and employees receiving cultural awareness programs in workplaces.

The Government of Canada, through the Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI), promotes employment partnership agreements throughout the country. AWPI is part of the government's commitment to help Aboriginal people build stronger, healthier and more self-reliant communities by increasing their participation in the labour market.

AWPI has a proven track record of producing highly effective resources aimed at helping its partners improve the participation of Aboriginal people in the workplace. AWPI facilitates this process by enhancing awareness and capacity and encouraging partnerships between Aboriginal people and all sectors of the economy.

For further information contact:

Maureen Boyle
Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs
(306) 787-5959
email: mboyle@graa.gov.sk.ca

James Parker
Indian and Northern Affairs
Regina, Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 780-7136

Backgrounder - Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative

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