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

AWPI Partnership Signing Agreements with Province of Alberta, City of Edmonton and Capital Health

Edmonton, Alberta
March 9, 2007

Check against delivery

Thank you Elder Strasbourg for the opening prayer.

I would like to acknowledge the many special guests we have here today - the Honourable Iris Evans, Alberta Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry; Mayor Mandel; City Councillors Dave Thiele and Ron Hayter; Capital Health Vice-Chair Wendy Kinsella; Capital Health President and CEO Sheila Weatherill ; Capital Health board members Olivia Butti, Pierre Crevolin, George Sewell; City Manager Al Maurer; ladies and gentlemen.

It is an honour to be here today to sign these partnership agreements - especially here in my home province of Alberta.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative, or AWPI, secures partnership agreements with some of this country's foremost companies, as well as public agencies, industry, professional and labour groups. This initiative helps employers recruit, retain and promote Aboriginal employees.

Its goal is not to create jobs, but to remove the obstacles that separate employers and employees.

This is an exceptionally important initiative, and one where I am happy to note we are seeing great progress.

In order to promote meaningful participation by Aboriginal people in the workforce, we must also encourage Aboriginal youth to pursue careers in business and science and in the skilled trades. And agreements like these are a part of that process.

I believe the best way to remove these obstacles and to foster these career aspirations among Aboriginal young people is to establish new, beneficial partnerships with forward-looking organizations such as the City of Edmonton and Capital Health.

I am strongly convinced that it is through agreements like these that a wealth of opportunities can be opened for Aboriginal people in Canada - opportunities for training and skills development; opportunities for the stable, fulfilling jobs that are the keystone of prosperous, sustainable communities.

There's no question that more and more organizations are recognizing the advantages of employing Aboriginal people.

As anyone who conducts business in Alberta knows, there is an acute shortage of workers in this province-particularly in the skilled trades. Furthermore, a large percentage of Canada's workforce is nearing retirement age. And the labour shortage is not expected to disappear anytime soon.

Organizations like yours share my conviction that Aboriginal people represent an important part of the solution to the labour shortage.

After all, the Aboriginal population of this country is significantly younger and is growing more quickly than the non-Aboriginal population.

What's more, a recent Statistics Canada study has shown that the strong demand for labour in Alberta is continuing to draw Aboriginal people into the labour market. In fact, employment rates among off reserve Aboriginal people in this province have increased by 3.1 per cent since January, 2005, whereas employment rates of non-Aboriginal Albertans have increased by one per cent over the same period.

The City of Edmonton alone has over 30,000 Aboriginal residents, the second largest Aboriginal community in Canada.

Additionally, there are many First Nations, Metis and other Aboriginal people who live in the vicinity of Edmonton and who may consider opportunities to move here.

This is a very large potential source of skilled labour. And agreements such as these are the means by which we can all draw on that potential. This outcome is good for Aboriginal people, good for the economy and good for Canada.

Canada's New Government is committed to results, to improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people in Canada. And we are also committed to working in partnership with provincial and territorial governments, and with Aboriginal organizations and communities, to achieve those results.

And as two of Alberta's seven largest employers, few others have more to offer than the City of Edmonton and Capital Health.

Under the terms of the agreements we are signing today, the Government of Canada, the Province of Alberta, the City of Edmonton and Capital Health agree to work together on the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal employees, which includes increasing access to education and training opportunities.

Each of the agreements reflects and fosters fairness, inclusiveness, and respect for diverse traditions and perspectives. They promote open communication, trust and consistency of approach.

I'm confident that these agreements will attract dynamic and enthusiastic new employees to the city and Capital Health. It's my sincere hope that these successes will encourage many other organizations to develop partnerships of this nature.

The benefits to all parties are enormous. There is no question that they make futures and they transform lives.

I am pleased to be signing these agreements with the Government of Alberta as a partner; and I applaud the City of Edmonton and Capital Health for your vision and your commitment to these agreements. Your workforce will be enriched by the inclusion of more Aboriginal workers. And this city, this province, and this country will be better because of your efforts.

Thank you.

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