Harper Government Invests in Job Creation and Greater Economic Participation for Aboriginal People in Calgary

Funding to support the Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative

OTTAWA, Oct. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt announced an investment that will support increased jobs and development opportunities for Aboriginal people living in Calgary. Funding for the Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative (CUAI) is provided as part of Canada's improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy, which supports programs and services that align with the Government's priority of increasing participation of Urban Aboriginal people in Canada's economy.

CUAI works to affect real and sustainable advances for Aboriginal people in Calgary by bringing the community together with stakeholders and agencies to develop concrete, actionable and practical solutions to issues facing the city's Aboriginal population in areas such as employment, health, housing, education and more. 

The Urban Aboriginal Strategy recognizes the important role urban Aboriginal organizations play and further helps to promote community engagement, planning and partnerships with the goal of increasing the participation of urban Aboriginal people in the Canadian economy.

Quick Facts

• Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's Urban Aboriginal Strategy contributed $355,000 to the CUAI.
• Funding to be provided to CUAI to help them build better partnerships, enhance their program capacity, and more fully participate in regional planning with the end goal of increasing urban Aboriginal participation in the economy. Funding will work to help identify barriers urban Aboriginal people face in finding employment and help identify regional solutions to these barriers.
• 56 per cent of all Aboriginal people in Canada live in urban areas.
• Cities with the largest Aboriginal populations were Winnipeg (78,420), Edmonton (61,765), Vancouver (52,375), Toronto (36,995), Calgary (33,370), Ottawa-Gatineau (30,570), Montreal (26,280), Saskatoon (23,895), and Regina (19,785) (2011 Census).

Quotes

"The Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative will play a crucial role, establishing partnerships that increase the participation of all Canadians in our economy. Canada is proud to support the CUAI as they deliver results for a range of issues reflected in our national strategy, which include housing, education and job creation"

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"The Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative does great work in helping connect Aboriginal people with jobs. It's one great example of how our government is cultivating strong partnerships and engaging the local community on Aboriginal issues. This kind of urban programming lines up well with other government initiatives that are all part of strengthening our economy."

Joan Crockatt, MP
Calgary Centre

"CUAI has had the fortune for being around for the last 15 years with the hard work of many. We are thankful for this funding from the Government of Canada, as it will lend support to ensuring that the work of the CUAI and its Domains continues. The funding will assist in providing opportunities for urban Aboriginal Calgarians and non-Aboriginal people to come together in areas such as employment preparedness, health related issues, youth supports and many other areas."

Christy Morgan
Executive Director, Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative

Related products

News Release: Harper Government invests in Aboriginal People Living in Urban Centres
Backgrounder: Urban Aboriginal Programming, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Fact Sheet: The Improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy: Urban Partnerships and Community Capacity Supports
Frequently Asked Questions: The Improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy

Additional links

Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative
Urban Aboriginal Peoples

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SOURCE: Government of Canada

For further information: Erica Meekes, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160; Christy Morgan, Executive Director, Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative, 403-268-1241