Harper Government Invests in Support for Aboriginal Participation in Canada's Economy

Canada's improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy focuses on delivering results for Aboriginal people in urban centres

OTTAWA, Dec. 1, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, announced today an agreement with the National Association of Friendship Centres to help enable Aboriginal people in urban centres to take advantage of the economic prosperity of our country.

The National Association of Friendship Centres is receiving $17 million from the Harper Government to support initiatives that benefit urban Aboriginal peoples, while contributing to increasing the participation of urban Aboriginal peoples in the economy. This investment signifies one step further in support of Aboriginal organizations aligned with the Government's priority of increasing the economic participation of Aboriginal people living in Canada's urban areas.

The Urban Partnerships program is a collaborative approach that brings together the expertise of governments, Aboriginal communities, and private and not-for-profit sectors to address barriers preventing Aboriginal people in urban centres from participating fully in the economy.

Our Government announced improvements to the Urban Aboriginal Strategy on February 6, 2014, and this program builds on Canada's initiative to provide further opportunities for success for Canada's growing urban Aboriginal population. The new strategy consolidates previous urban Aboriginal programming into two new programs – Urban Partnerships and Community Capacity Support.

This streamlined approach will result in more support going directly to community projects, initiatives, and services to support Aboriginal people living in urban centres.

Quick Facts

• The National Association of Friendship Centres will receive over $17 million in Urban Partnerships funding to support community projects.
• 56 per cent of all Aboriginal people in Canada live in urban areas.
• Cities with the largest Aboriginal populations in 2011 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

"Our Government remains committed to enabling Aboriginal people in urban centres to take full advantage of the economic prosperity of our country. Through this target investment and collaboration with the National Association of Friendship Centres, we are helping to provide Aboriginal people with the support and opportunities they need to succeed in an urban environment."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"Today's announcement reaffirms our enduring partnership and is an acknowledgement of the rich history of success that Friendship Centres have achieved by working with like-minded organizations. This agreement provides funding that will lead to a number of new and exciting initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people living in urban areas."

Nelson Mayer
National Association of Friendship Centres President

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 Support
Frequently Asked Questions: The Improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy

Associated Links

Urban Aboriginal Peoples
National Association of Friendship Centres

SOURCE: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development 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; Alysha Akoodie, Communications and Social Media Officer, National Association of Friendship Centres, 613-563-4844; You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds or e-mail. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.aandc.gc.ca/subscriptions.