Notes for an address by

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

to the

CIBA 2006 Economic Development Conference and Trade Show

Edmonton, Alberta
October 27, 2006

Check against delivery

Thank you for that kind introduction. It gives me great pleasure to be back in Alberta, home to an irrepressible spirit of entrepreneurship that continues to propel Canada’s prosperity.

This three-day conference and trade show demonstrates that an increasing number of Aboriginal groups in the province share this spirit. In fact, the three Cree Nations behind this event - Enoch, Samson and Saddle Lake - are among the most business-oriented groups in Canada.

For example, Enoch just celebrated the grand opening of their extremely impressive River Cree Resort and Casino, which is the first First Nation-owned casino in Alberta.

Samson is involved in the oil and gas industry and owns their own drilling rigs.  They can also take pride in their ownership of Peace Hills Trust, a federal trust company that is 100 per cent First Nation-owned.

Saddle Lake is also involved in the oil and gas industry through a number of partnerships with other First Nations and industry.

I’d like to thank Chiefs Ron Morin, Victor Buffalo and Eddie Makokis for hosting an event that will lead to additional partnerships among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal businesses.

I believe that the success of this conference is evidence of the fundamental change that has taken place with respect to Aboriginal participation in the economy. Decisions to employ Aboriginal people and conduct business with Aboriginal companies are no longer motivated by social policy - they’re about improving the bottom line.

The business case for partnering with Aboriginal groups grows stronger by the day. A study conducted by the Conference Board of Canada a few years ago highlighted the trend. To quote from the report:

"Corporations that ignore the economic potential of Aboriginal people do so at their own peril."

Today, the truth of that statement is revealed by the participation of Aboriginal groups in the largest resource-development projects underway in Canada: oil-and-gas in the West, diamonds in the North, nickel in the East. Further proof is provided by the ever-increasing number of Aboriginal firms - more than 20,000 at last count. And perhaps nowhere is the trend move evident than here in Alberta, where dozens of First Nations own and operate thriving businesses in a wide range of sectors.

The Government of Canada is keen to ensure this trend continues because it’s good for all citizens, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike. You don’t need me to tell you that Aboriginal people have much to contribute to this country, economically, socially and culturally. And we all agree that effective partnerships can help unleash the untapped potential of many more Aboriginal communities.

There’s no question that more and more corporations appreciate the advantages of partnering with Aboriginal groups. That’s why blue-chip companies such as Royal Bank, Westjet and Enbridge are keen sponsors of this conference, and why multinational corporations such as BHP Billiton, Suncor and Inco partner with Aboriginal groups. A few years ago, the same motivation inspired several companies to create the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council, or CAMSC.

CAMSC president, Orrin Benn was recently quoted as saying:

"The full participation of Aboriginal [people] and visible minorities in the economy is crucial for Canada's competitiveness and our place in the global economy."

Mr. Benn’s opinion is informed by Canada’s demographic realities. As anyone who conducts business in Alberta knows, there is an acute shortage of manpower - particularly in the skilled trades.

Furthermore, a large percentage of Canada’s workforce is nearing retirement age. And the problem is not expected to disappear anytime soon.

Groups such as CAMSC share my conviction that Aboriginal peoples represent an important part of the solution. After all, the Aboriginal population of this country is significantly younger and growing much more quickly than the non-Aboriginal population. And conferences such as this one help you to get the message out that Aboriginal peoples are ready, willing and able to work in all fields and at all levels.

Last month, I was proud to learn that CAMSC had given a top partnership award to a program operated by my department. Many of you are familiar with the Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative, or AWPI. AWPI secures partnership agreements with some of Canada’s leading companies and public agencies, along with industry, professional and labour groups. The goal is not to create jobs, but to remove the obstacles that separate employers and employees.

For example, an AWPI agreement involving Michelin and the province of Nova Scotia and Aboriginal organizations, helps Aboriginal people qualify for jobs at the company. Today, one out of every four new employees at the company is an Aboriginal person.

AWPI is working nationally with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canada’s largest union, to address collective agreement issues and to foster welcoming workplaces for Aboriginal peoples.

All AWPI agreements benefit both parties. In the province of Manitoba, the Brandon Regional Health Authority’s agreement, for instance, has led to improvements in human-resources planning and delivery of health-care services. In the past three years, the number of Aboriginal employees at the Regional Health Authority has increased four-fold, which includes mid-to-upper level jobs as health professionals and engineers.

A little closer to home, AWPI signed an agreement with the province of Alberta to join forces with a common voice in promoting partnerships. This has led directly to signings between the province, the City of Grande-Prairie, Grande-Prairie Regional College and Aquaterra Utilities.

Canadian entrepreneurs have many reasons to be optimistic about the future: demand for our products is strong, commodity prices are high and more Aboriginal peoples than ever before have with the skills and expertise needed to participate fully in the economy. There’s no doubt that Alberta First Nations contribute significantly to Alberta’s booming economy and that all Canadians share in the benefits.

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

Thank you.

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