Speaking Notes
for
The Honourable Andy Scott
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal
Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indian

Video Greeting to the CANDO Conference

October 4, 2004

Check against delivery

I want to begin by thanking each of you for taking part in this conference. I regret that I was unable to attend such an important event, where you are sharing experiences and exploring new ideas; you're helping to build the knowledge and networks that are so essential to strengthening the aboriginal economy.

But most important, I want to thank you for your hard work throughout the year.

The challenges facing many Aboriginal communities acute and the needs are great — in economic development, in education, in housing and other areas of community life.

By helping attract investment, seize opportunities and create good-paying jobs, you're making a real difference in the lives of people.

Economic development is the foundation upon which we can build a brighter future for aboriginal peoples.

As the Prime Minister has made clear, our government is committed to making real improvements in the lives and living conditions of people in Aboriginal communities.

That means we're committed to working with people like you towards our ultimate goal — economic self-reliance and self-determination for First Nations.

We recognize that new approaches are needed to achieve results. And we understand that fundamental change must occur in how government departments work together to serve aboriginal communities.

The federal government will work in collaboration with Aboriginal leaders to design policies that bring real and beneficial change to Aboriginal people. In addition to working toward improved and more accountable governing structures within Aboriginal communities, the federal government will focus its effort around two themes: learning and economic self-reliance and health and well-being.

While we have much work to do in bringing down barriers to cooperation, we're encouraged by the success of several broad partnerships.

For example, Aboriginal International Business Development is made up of 29 federal government departments and agencies.

Its goal is to work collectively to promote Aboriginal small- to medium-size enterprises in export markets.

They're helping to create one-window access so Aboriginal businesses can make better use of the full range of government programs and export services.

In this time of increasing fiscal restraint, where connectivity is not always at the top of the hierarchy of needs identified by communities, it's important to recognize technology as a means, and not as an end in itself. In particular, what we're interested in is the potential it holds to serve as a tool that stakeholders can use to contribute to improving the quality of life and self-reliance of people and communities. That's why we're all here to participate in this event.

Thanks to the Internet, we have a historic opportunity to widen the circle of opportunity for First Nation communities.

Aboriginal organizations, business owners, communities, educators — and economic development officers — have recognized the potential of harnessing the Internet; just look at the success of the Aboriginal Canada Portal.

In this case, 9 federal departments and six National Aboriginal Organizations, including CANDO, have worked together over the last four years trying to develop a single window of national, regional and community based Aboriginal information and programs.

You've told us that we need to focus on connecting more Aboriginal communities.

We are listening.

Over the last three years, the National Connecting Aboriginal Canadians Forum has worked towards this goal. It has brought together almost 600 people from federal, provincial and territorial governments, aboriginal organizations and communities.

They develop partnerships and explore options for bringing new electronic tools to communities. I encourage all of you to review their blueprint report and to contribute to this dialogue in the future.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting this effort.

We're working to bring sustainable broadband and high-speed on-line services to Aboriginal communities. As you know, broadband access will ultimately provide Aboriginal, northern and rural communities with more opportunities to move forward socially and economically.

Communities want to provide their members with every opportunity to work and prosper. In today's highly competitive business world, Aboriginal firms and entrepreneurs need to access and use the most modern tools of business to succeed. This is what lies at the heart of the aboriginal roundtable process.

We must continue finding new ways to collaborate with aboriginal organizations on shared objectives, and in a spirit of transparency and respect.

Instead of focusing on who does what, we're focusing on how we can help each other, how we can work together, and how we can achieve results.

A conference like this one is an important tool for making this happen. So, once again, thank you for taking the time to be here to make new connections. And best wishes to all on a successful event. Thank you.

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