January 30, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN —– The Government of Canada is investing $6.33 million to support the urban development priorities identified by Regina’s inner city residents through the Regina Inner City Community Partnership (RICCP). Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Wascana and the Honourable Denis Coderre, Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and lead Minister for the Government of Canada’s Urban Aboriginal Strategy today announced funding under three key Government of Canada initiatives to support the renewal of Regina’s inner city. Also participating in today’s announcement were the Honourable Joanne Crofford, Minister of Community Resources and Employment and Councilor Wade Murray.

“The Government of Canada is committed to assist Regina’s inner city,” said Minister Goodale. “Today’s announcements showcase our dedication to coordinating our efforts – both within the federal government and with our partners – to bring as many resources to bear as possible to support the Regina Inner-City Community Partnership.”

“The work that is being done here in Regina is a good example of the partnership approach that the Urban Aboriginal Strategy supports,” said Minister Coderre. “I am confident that we will make real gains in better supporting Aboriginal people in Regina under the leadership of the Regina Inner-City Community Partnership.”

National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) investments of almost $3.5 million over the next three years through the recently approved Regina Community Plan on Homelessness will support the community in the fight against homelessness and the root causes of homelessness. The Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS) partnership approach and investments of $2.25 million over the next three years through the Regina Inner City Community Partnership (RICCP) will support the community’s efforts to better address the needs of Aboriginal people living in Regina. Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres (UMAYC) initiative funding of $630,037 will support Regina’s Aboriginal young people. “Regina’s Aboriginal population is young and brimming with potential. It also faces some important challenges. The funding announced here this morning directly addresses some of those challenges,” said Minister Crofford. “Our government remains committed to working in partnership with the federal government, the City of Regina, the private sector, community groups, First Nations and Métis organizations and service providers to ensure that all residents of our capital city have the opportunity to live in a safe, attractive, family oriented community, and we remain committed to continuing our efforts to address the priority issues identified in the Report on the Community Vision and Action Plan.

“This funding will help address priority needs in our inner city neighborhoods, enhancing opportunities for Aboriginal youth, helping our efforts to revitalize Regina's inner city and providing key resources to improve housing," said Mayor Fiacco. "It's a prime example of the value we gain from community and government partnerships. I thank the National Homelessness Initiative and the Urban Aboriginal Strategy for the continued support of Regina.” The UMAYC funding announced today supports nine projects in Regina to support and assist Regina’s Aboriginal youth in enhancing their economic, social and personal prospects.

The RICCP is a community-based partnership dedicated to the renewal of Regina’s inner-city through a process that engages neighbourhood residents and organizations in determining the future of their community. The RICCP Steering Committee brings together governments, community partners, the private sector and area residents to address the priorities identified by the community in the Report on the Community Vision and Action Plan, released last fall.

The Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities’ efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. Building on the successes achieved, the February 2003 Budget announced $405 million for three years to continue the Government of Canada’s commitment to addressing homelessness in Canada. The responsible minister is the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, the Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness.

The Government of Canada launched the UAS in 1998 to coordinate efforts to address issues facing urban Aboriginal Canadians. The February 2003 Budget announced $25 million for three years to enhance the UAS through targeted pilot projects in eight cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto and Thunder Bay. The responsible minister is the Honourable Denis Coderre, Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians.

The Government of Canada launched the UMAYC initiative in 1998 to provide accessible, Aboriginal community based, culturally relevant, and supportive projects, programs, services, and counseling to urban Aboriginal youth, and facilitates their participation in existing programs in order to improve their economic, social, and personal prospects. The responsible minister is the Honourable Helene Chalifour Scherrer.

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTMENT: $6.33 MILLION National Homelessness Initiative: $3.45 million (2003-2006) Urban Aboriginal Strategy: $2.25 million (2003-2006) Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres: $630,037

For more information on the Government of Canada initiatives included in today’s announcement, please visit the Government of Canada web site at www.canada.gc.ca or see the attached backgrounders.

For more information, contact:

• Long-term transitional housing • Specialized housing options for people with multiple disabilities or diagnoses, including people with addictions, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and people with mental health and behavioural issues • Emergency shelter options for families in crisis that are not related to family violence • 24-hour drop-in program to provide a safe place for homeless and at-risk individuals to get support • Specialized housing option for people with multiple disabilities or diagnoses who are offenders/sex-offenders.

Indicators of Homelessness and population at risk of Homelessness in Regina The Community Plan identifies several key indicators of homelessness and risk of homelessness for the Regina area based on 2001 Census and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation data:

• The 2002 Consumer Price Index for Regina was 124.6, indicating the cost of living has increased faster in Regina than in all other cities except Calgary since 1996. • 10,240 rental households in Regina spend 30% or more of their income on rent

• 4,153 households in spend 50% or more of their income on rent • Average monthly rent amounted to $567 in 2001, compared to $493 in 1996 (a 15% increase over five years) • 8.1% of all dwellings need major repairs. • The 2002 Vacancy Rate was only 1.9%.

Steering Committee 2003-2006 The implementation of the Community Plan will be lead by a steering committee. The committee is made up of the following members:

• Peggy Clark - Director of Community Services Department, City of Regina • Lana Phillips - Policy Analyst, Policy & Program Development - Municipal Affairs & Housing, Dept of Community Resources & Employments • Bruce King - Department of Community Resources & Employment – Regional Manager, Family Services • Dave Hedlund - Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Executive Director of Mental Health & Addictions Services • Garry Courchene - Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services Inc., Urban Services Manager • Karen LaRocque - Regina Metis Sports and Culture Inc., Log House Project Coordinator • Leonard Young - Youth Justice Forum, Aboriginal Community Justice Committee Coordinator • Dahlila Dubois - Youth Representative, Youth Justice Forum • Vic Huard - Executive Director, United Way of Regina • Deanna Elias-Henry - Executive Director, YWCA of Regina • Helen Finucane - Executive Director, Ehrlo Community Services

Guest Members: • Bruce Rice, Senior Policy & Research Analyst, Urban Planning Division, City of Regina • Robert Bjerke, Housing Co-ordinator, Urban Planning Division, City of Regina • Carole Aymer, Secretary II, Urban Planning Division, City of Regina

BACKGROUNDER: UAS PILOT PROJECTS IN REGINA

1) REGINA DRUG STRATEGY -- $199,833 (over 3 years)
Funding is being provided to the Regina-Qu’Appelle Health Region to support the hiring of an Implementation Coordinator for the Regina Drug Strategy. The Regina Drug Strategy included 22 recommendations in the areas of treatment, partnerships, and capacity building. The Implementation Coordinator will lead the implementation of these recommendations over a three-year period. The Regina-Qu’Appelle Health Region is contributing $107,930 in in-kind support to this project.
2) MOCCASIN FLATS SERIES -- $216,123 (2003-2004)
Funding was provided to Big Soul Productions, the company that produced the Moccasin Flats series, through a partnership with Saskatchewan Indian Training Assessment Group (SITAG) to provide 30 young Reginans with training, experience and mentorship in television production during the production of the six-episode series.
3) NORTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY FACILITATOR -- $233,334
Funding is being provided to the City of Regina to support the hiring of a facilitator to coordinate the implementation of the Community Vision and Action Plan for North Central Regina. The Facilitator will work closely with the Regina Inner-City Community Partnership Steering Committee to implement the vision for North Central, and to support the development of subsequent plans for other neighbourhoods. The City of Regina is contributing $42,000 in in-kind support to this project.

BACKGROUNDER: URBAN ABORIGINAL STRATEGY

Canada’s Urban Aboriginal Population About fifty percent of Canada’s Aboriginal population lives in urban centres, with many Aboriginal people living in the larger urban centres. On a number of important indicators of personal and community well-being, urban Aboriginal people face challenges well in excess of those of the non-Aboriginal urban population. Nevertheless, Aboriginal people living in cities offer the promise of a young and growing population that can and must play a stronger role in making Canadian cities and Canada more vibrant and prosperous. City life is an integral component of Aboriginal people’s lives in Canada and Aboriginal people are an integral component of Canadian urban life.
Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS): 1998 - 2002 On January 7, 1998, Gathering Strength: Canada’s Aboriginal Action Plan was launched as the Government of Canada’s response to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Under the theme, "Renewing the Partnerships", the Government of Canada established the Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS) in hopes of better addressing the serious socio-economic needs of Canada’s urban Aboriginal population. The UAS was designed to improve policy development and program coordination at the federal level and with other levels of government.

Building on existing federal funding, the Government of Canada began to reach out to others to discuss how it could support efforts on-the-ground aimed at serving urban Aboriginal people. While the challenges facing many urban Aboriginal people remain, the UAS achieved successes in small but important ways. For example, the UAS contributed significantly to a greater awareness by governments and others concerning the circumstances facing urban Aboriginal people and this led to increased collaboration among governments. But these efforts were not enough; more was needed.

UAS: Renewed and Enhanced In September of 2002, the Government of Canada reaffirmed its commitment to the UAS in its Speech from the Throne, stating that: "In a number of cities, poverty is disproportionately concentrated among Aboriginal people. The government will work with interested provinces to expand on existing pilot programs to meet the needs of Aboriginal people living in cities." Later, in its 2003 Budget, the Government of Canada matched its commitment by announcing that it was allocating $25 million over three years to support the UAS.

Urban Aboriginal Strategy Pilot Projects The bulk of UAS funding is being used to support pilot projects in eight priority urban centres: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto and Thunder Bay. Cities were selected on the basis that they are Census Metropolitan Areas and the Aboriginal population (using 2001 Census Aboriginal identity data) is greater than 15,000 or at least 5% of the total population. The remaining UAS funding will be used to support local Aboriginal organizations to participate in the UAS, the work of regional federal officials and research.

The pilot projects are meant to test new ideas on how to better respond, through partnership, to the local needs of urban Aboriginal people. The Government of Canada is committed to working with provincial and municipal governments, local Aboriginal organizations, non-government organizations, and the private sector to develop innovative solutions to address local priorities. The objectives of the UAS Pilot Project Initiative are:

• To respond more effectively to the needs identified by communities using available mechanisms; • To better align federal programs to both provincial programs and other efforts to respond to local priorities; • To test innovative policy and programming ideas; • To gain a better understanding of what works and what does not and why; and ultimately, • To improve the socio-economic conditions of urban Aboriginal people.

UAS funding is available in the eight designated urban centres on the basis of matched efforts from provincial governments and other non-federal sources (including municipal governments, private sector and non-governmental sources).

At the end of the three years, the UAS will be evaluated to determine the effectiveness of the approaches and projects. This information will be used to identify and share lessons learned and provide advice for future directions.

The Honourable Denis Coderre, in his capacity as the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, is the lead Federal Minister for the UAS. In this role, Minister Coderre works closely with a number of other federal Ministers who have programs and initiatives that serve to benefit urban Aboriginal people, such as: homelessness, housing, employment, economic development, early childhood and young adulthood.