Check against delivery

Good afternoon, and thank you. First of all, I want to convey my personal regret on behalf of Minister Robert Nault who, unfortunately, could not be here today in person to attend this worthwhile event.

We have among us some of Canada's most progressive companies when it comes to partnering with First Nations. It's no coincidence that they are also some of Canada's most successful companies.

Aboriginal people make up one of the fastest-growing segments of the Canadian population, increasing at almost twice the national average. Levels of education, skills, ambition, and community development are on the rise. First Nations are eager to assume an active role in the country's economy.

Maximizing Aboriginal participation in the Canadian economy is a top priority of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

We all have a stake in making sure that Aboriginal people receive the benefits of a strong economy. We all have a role to play in creating meaningful opportunities in the workforce. And we can all have a hand in bringing down the barriers to Aboriginal employment.

The unacceptably high rates of unemployment and poverty in First Nations communities are well known to most Canadians. But let's focus on the opportunities. The most important is the initiative of Aboriginal youth. Community-based efforts in First Nations communities are beginning to pay off. More Aboriginal youth are staying in school and pursuing higher education.

Today, there are more than 30,000 Aboriginal university graduates. And another 27,000 First Nations and Inuit currently enrolled in colleges and universities across Canada will soon join their ranks.

They are the best-educated generation of First Nations people ever. They are comfortable with new and changing technologies. They are well equipped to make their way in the knowledge-based economy.

Even with this success, I think we can do better. We need to improve First Nations education in Canada. We need to look at how communities succeed, and where governments and the private sector can do more. We look forward to consulting with First Nations people and employers to examine how we can improve the transition from school to the world of work.

Keep in mind, they are the next generation of chiefs and business leaders. They are the people your businesses will partner with, the partners your companies will need to succeed.

Over the past 10 years, Aboriginal business start-ups have exceeded those of the rest of the population by 105 percent. They have energy and ambition. But many are located in rural, remote communities with fewer than 10 employees. Partnering with the private sector is key to their success.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the economic development and self-sufficiency of First Nations communities.

That is why Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has increased funding for economic development initiatives. We have made $125 million in annual funding available for strategic investments-up from $25 million just a few years ago. These funds are leveraging over a half-billion dollars more in investment.

The Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI) is aimed at educating and informing players about the advantages of hiring Aboriginal peoples.

The federal government is also providing support through the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business. This is where many Aboriginal start-ups get their first opportunities to hire and train new staff. Many progress to larger bids in the private and public sector.

The program also presents unique opportunities for Aboriginal companies to form joint ventures with non-Aboriginal businesses. The fact is, although government can support programs and community efforts, the private sector holds many of the tools. Your organizations have the capacity to deliver real workforce experience in skilled trades.

Business mentoring, training, giving young people a shot at the first job, or a challenging project, are all ways that the private sector recruits and retains talent. Private-sector champions are critical to leading their organizations into partnerships with First Nations. Thank you for your efforts.

But I also want to encourage you to keep talking about the opportunities that exist. Talk to your colleagues in the boardroom, and talk to your employees about the need to engage Aboriginal people wherever possible.

Talk to your shareholders. Tell them about the value you see in partnering with First Nations. Tell them about the opportunities for growth and the access to new resources and markets.

But most importantly, invite Aboriginal people into those boardrooms and into those shareholder meetings. The key is partnership. After all, First Nations business excellence is a reality in Canada.

Just last month, Minister Nault was in Nova Scotia to congratulate the Membertou First Nation on receiving ISO certification-the first Aboriginal government to achieve this designation. They partnered with SNC Lavalin to build infrastructure. Clearwater Fine Foods to harvest seafood. And Sodexho Marriot to deliver food services to the oil and gas industry.

Taking Pulse is an excellent example of how to make an impact. John Kim Bell has spoken passionately about building an Aboriginal workforce and an Aboriginal economy. And each of us has already made an important statement with our participation.

But our statements, our words, are only as good as our actions. We, Aboriginal people, the private sector, and government are moving ahead. But it is a long road.

So let's have a good discussion here today, and not talk about next steps, but plan those steps, and how we will get there.

Thank you.

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