Government of Canada announces funding for the Wuskwatim and Keeyask Manitoba Hydro Northern Training and Employment Initiative under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program

May 18, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Government of Canada announces funding for the Wuskwatim & Keeyask Manitoba Hydro Northern Training and Employment Initiative under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program

THOMPSON, MANITOBA - The Honourable Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced the approval of funding for the Wuskwatim & Keeyask Training Consortium's Manitoba Hydro Northern Training and Employment Initiative that could reach $22 million over the next four years under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program. This funding approval clears the way for Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) officials to negotiate the terms and conditions of a contribution agreement with the partnership consortium to deliver the training and skills development that will enable Aboriginal peoples in northern Manitoba to acquire transferable skills and take advantage of hydroelectric development employment opportunities throughout the province's north.

In making the announcement, Minister Alcock expressed appreciation for the wide range of partners involved and said "This initiative puts the Northern Manitoba Aboriginal people front and centre and will enable them to fill the growing demand for skilled workers that will be needed in building these two hydroelectric dams."

The Wuskwatim & Keeyask Training Consortium's Manitoba Hydro Northern Training and Employment Initiative is expected to provide training opportunities for up to 1,115 from the five Cree nations and other Aboriginal peoples including the Métis people in northern Manitoba, and 794 jobs in the construction of the Wuskwatim and Keeyask hydroelectric generating stations. Construction is set to begin this year and continue until 2013.

The Wuskwatim and Keeyask Training Consortium includes: Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation; Tataskweyak Cree Nation; War Lake Cree Nation; Fox Lake Cree Nation; York Factory First Nation; Manitoba Métis Federation; Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak; Manitoba Hydro; and the Province of Manitoba.

The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program is part of the Government of Canada's commitment to work with Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders to provide high quality, culturally relevant training for Aboriginal learners, and help them to match training to real economic opportunities in collaboration with partners.

ASEP complements the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy, the-five year initiative that began in 1999 and whose renewal was confirmed in the 2004 Speech from the Throne, and re-affirmed in this year's federal Budget.

ASEP is an $85-million five-year program that provides funds for programs and initiatives aimed at securing and increasing sustainable Aboriginal participation in large economic developments across Canada. ASEP is administered nationally by HRSDC in conjunction with regional offices. Projects approved under ASEP operate on a collaborative partnership basis with the consortium comprised of parties from the private sector, Aboriginal groups, and the province or territory where the large economic or resource-based project is located. Other key partners include learning institutions, sector councils, labour, and other Government of Canada departments or agencies.

This initiative complies with all departmental administrative rules governing grants and contributions, and provisions of the Financial Administration Act, and is subject to review to ensure compliance with the objectives of the program.

- 30 -

For more information:

Stephanie Lewis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister Human Resources and Skills Development
(819) 994-2482

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(819) 994-5559

BACKGROUNDER

MANITOBA HYDRO NORTHERN TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE UNDER THE ABORIGINAL SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIP (ASEP) PROGRAM

The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program is a five-year initiative with total funding of $85 million. Its overall objective is sustainable employment for Aboriginal peoples in major economic initiatives such as northern mining, oil and gas, and hydro development projects across Canada, leading to lasting benefits for Aboriginal communities, families and individuals.

ASEP funding proposals are submitted by a partnership consortium, which can include an Aboriginal group, a province and/or territory, learning institutions, sector councils, labour and other federal departments and agencies. A consortium must set out a comprehensive training-to-employment plan for Aboriginal peoples that link skills development to specific job opportunities for them. A significant amount of funding for a project is expected from the private sector; the Government of Canada's normal contribution to a proposal will not exceed 75 percent. The private sector must also demonstrate, at minimum, 50 long-term sustainable jobs for Aboriginal peoples at the completion of funding from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).

As part of the ASEP program, the Manitoba Hydro Northern Training and Employment Initiative submitted by the Wuskwatim & Keeyask Training Consortium (WKTC) is among the first projects approved for funding from the proposals currently under review since the launch of ASEP in October of 2003.

Manitoba Hydro Northern Training and Employment Initiative

The Manitoba Hydro expansion is the largest single capital project undertaking in the province in the last two decades. The construction of two hydroelectric dams will make a sizeable contribution to Canada's and Manitoba's economy. Construction of the Wuskwatim and Keeyask hydroelectric generating stations will be underway in 2004 and continue until 2013.

With the province experiencing significant construction growth throughout the province and a high demand for experienced, skilled workers, The Hydro Northern Training and Employment Initiative will facilitate the training of Northern Aboriginal people to enable them to take advantage of employment on the proposed hydroelectric projects in Northern Manitoba. By enabling individuals to acquire transferable skills to take advantage of future hydroelectric development employment opportunities throughout the north the initiative will create a labour pool for other mega-construction projects.

Two other major engineering works on the horizon for Northern Manitoba are the Conawapa Hydroelectric Generating Station to be built by 2015 and Bipole III, to start in 2008, which will be a high-voltage transmission line to carry power south.

Goals:

The objectives of WKTC Manitoba Hydro Northern Training and Employment Initiative are to:

ensure that participants acquire the knowledge and skills to take advantage of opportunities to participate fully in the hydroelectric generation projects in Northern Manitoba and on other major Manitoba construction projects;
maximize construction and construction-related employment opportunities for Northern Aboriginal peoples;
lever opportunities on hydroelectric projects for long-term community capacity building; and
support the development of northern businesses and community ventures through the provision of products and services to the hydroelectric projects.

Activities:

provide a continuum of training opportunities for up to 1,115 individuals from the five Cree Nations and other Northern Aboriginal people (including the Métis)
secure 794 positions on construction opportunities on the proposed hydroelectric generating stations

Partnership:

The Wuskwatim and Keeyask training partnership consists of:

Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation;
Tataskweyak Cree Nation;
War Lake Cree Nation;
Fox Lake Cree Nation;
York Factory First Nation;
Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF);
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO);
Manitoba Hydro; and
Province of Manitoba

Funding:

The total estimated budget for the Manitoba Hydro Northern Training and Employment Initiative is $60,363,908, of which $22 M over five years is requested from HRSDC under the ASEP program through a contribution agreement.

- 30 -