Speaking notes for

the Honourable Jim Prentice, PC, QC, MP
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and
Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

at the

Signing of an Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative between
the Government of Canada, the Nova Scotia Nurses Union and
the Nova Scotia Trucking Human Resources Council

Halifax, Nova Scotia
November 24, 2006

Check against delivery

Good morning, elders, chiefs, Ms. Hazelton, Mr. Miller, ladies and gentlemen and distinguished guests.

I am please to be here to take part in this Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative partnership agreement signing with the Nova Scotia Nurses' Union and the Nova Scotia Trucking Human Resource Sector Council.

I would like to welcome Don Julian from the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq; Louis Joe Bernard from the Union of Nova Scotia Indians; and Grace Conrad of the Native Council of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia's Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Michael Baker, is unfortunately unable to join us this morning, but I know he supports the AWPI initiative.

I also want to welcome the Mi'kmaq First Nation Chiefs who have joined us today.

Canada's new government is committed to addressing the challenges that face so many Aboriginal communities, and agreements such as these are excellent examples of how we can make progress together. On the one hand it is important to broaden the range of economic opportunities available to Aboriginal people in Canada. And on the other, Aboriginal people make up one of the fastest growing segments of our population. They represent an increasingly educated, readily available workforce, eager to assume an active role for themselves and to contribute to the Canadian economy.

But for many Aboriginal people, there are discouraging barriers. Their willingness to work hard and their commitment to learning are not always enough to land a job.

Cultural differences, access to networks and lack of experience are some of the factors that can stand in their way.

For these and other reasons, unemployment among Aboriginal people is higher than among non-Aboriginal people. This has to change.

The Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative, or AWPI, secures partnership agreements with some of Canada's leading companies and public agencies, along with industry, professional and labour groups.

The Initiative helps private and public sector employers to recruit, retain and promote Aboriginal employees.

Our collective goal is not to create jobs, but to remove the obstacles that separate employers and employees.

To maintain economic growth, we must establish new, mutually beneficial partnerships. We must encourage Aboriginal youth to pursue careers in business, sciences and the skilled trades. We must continue to get the message out: doing business with Aboriginal groups benefits Aboriginal people, benefits Canada, and is good for the bottom line.

For example, many of you were here when the AWPI Partnership Agreement involving Michelin, the province of Nova Scotia and Aboriginal organizations was signed. Before this Agreement was reached, Aboriginal people were not even applying to Michelin Tire. But today, I am very happy to note that one of every four new employees is Aboriginal.

Today we have the pleasure of forming two new partnerships under the Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative. The first is with the Nova Scotia Nurses' Union, and the second is with the Nova Scotia Trucking Human Resources Council.

Partnership agreements such as these promote current and future Aboriginal employment opportunities in this region. What's more, they enable Aboriginal organizations to develop training plans which lead to the creation of a larger skilled Aboriginal workforce.

Strong working partnerships are key to the attainment of prosperity and self-sufficiency that is based on mutual respect and trust.

I'm confident these agreements will attract dynamic, enthusiastic new employees to the nursing and trucking sectors. It is my sincere hope that these successes will encourage many other organizations to follow your example and develop partnerships of their own with First Nations in Nova Scotia. The benefits to all parties – in the form of economic success, self-reliance, and the promise of a prosperous future – are inestimable.

Once again, thank you and best wishes to all of you in building a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship.

Thank you.

Back to Index Page