Minister Valcourt Announces Support to Help Increase the Participation of Urban Aboriginal People in the Quebec Economy

Enabling First Nations to participate fully in the economic prosperity of our country

OTTAWA, Jan.12, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today announced support to the Regroupement des centres d'amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) and the Montreal NETWORK to help increase the participation of urban Aboriginal people living in Quebec to take advantage of the local economy.

This Harper Government support will enable the RCAAQ to contribute in the development of a regional strategic plan that will identify ways for removing barriers to Aboriginal participation in the Canadian economy. Support to the Montreal NETWORK will help bring together partners involved in the Montreal area to develop strategies for full Aboriginal participation in Montreal's economy. These organizations will bring together local governments, Aboriginal organizations, the private and not-for-profit sector in a coordinated effort to support urban Aboriginal peoples in acquiring the necessary skills for employment.

Funding is provided as part of the Government of Canada's Urban Aboriginal Strategy aimed at increasing the participation of urban Aboriginal people in Canada's economy by developing partnerships and supporting initiatives in communities across the country.

Quick facts

• RCAAQ received $430,000 and the Montreal NETWORK received $70,000 from the Urban Partnerships program in support from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy.
• The RCAAQ advocates for the rights and interests of urban Aboriginal citizens while supporting Native Friendship Centres in achieving their mission, which is to improve the quality of life of urban Aboriginal people, to promote Aboriginal culture, and to build bridges between peoples.
• The Montreal NETWORK is a working group of community group representatives, Aboriginal partners, volunteers and others who are working to improve the quality of life of Aboriginal people living in the greater Montreal area.
• Close to 56% 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

"Improving Aboriginal participation in Canada's economy is a Government of Canada priority. Through this initiative of the Regroupement des centres d'amitié autochtones du Québec and the Montreal NETWORK, urban Aboriginal people in Quebec will be able to benefit from employment and economic opportunities provided by large urban centres."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"The revitalized Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS) supports the work of Aboriginal organizations, such as Aboriginal Friendship Centres, which work to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people in cities. The UAS allows us to effectively consolidate and create true partnerships in our communities and to provide relevant cultural services designed to remove barriers to Aboriginal participation in Canada's social and economic development. We welcome this collaboration between the Native Friendship Centre Movement of Quebec and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, which stems from over 45 years of ongoing expertise, leadership and capacity for innovation with regard to urban Aboriginal people."

Christine Jean
Vice-President of the Regroupement des centres d'amitié autochtones du Québec

"Since its inception in 2008, the NETWORK has been receiving essential support from AANDC to help develop and maintain its activities. This significant partnership shows the importance of working together to create projects for urban Aboriginal people."

Nakuset and Sylvain Vollant
Co-chairs of the NETWORK

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

Urban Aboriginal Peoples
Regroupement des centres d'amitié autochtones du Québec
The Montreal NETWORK

SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Emily Hillstrom, 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; 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.