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CANADIAN INDUSTRY ONLINE - DECEMBER 2013
C
IO I S PLEASED
to present this
month’s “Five Questions” with
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and
Northern Development for Canada the
Honourable Bernard Valcourt.
Valcourt has held the post since
February of this year.
CIO: Why is it so important for gov-
ernment, industry, and Aboriginal
communities to work together to raise
the profile of Aboriginal peoples in
Canada?
BV:
Our Government is working
with industry, provincial and territori-
al governments, Aboriginal leadership
and communities, and all interested
stakeholders to improve the lives of
Aboriginal people in Canada, because
it is the right thing to do.
Approximately $650 billion is
expected to be invested in over 600
major economic projects across Canada
over the next 10 years. Many of these
investments are located in or near First
Nation communities, creating large-
scale economic benefits and job op-
portunities for Aboriginal Canadians.
Our Government is committed to en-
abling Aboriginal people to seize these
opportunities and participate fully in
a strong Canadian economy. We are
providing more support for Aboriginal
consultations on resource develop-
ment, and we are aligning the on-re-
serve Income Assistance Program with
provincial systems to better support
much needed skills training. Canada
is home to a wealth of resources, which
can provide a unique economic oppor-
tunity not just for First Nations but for
all Canadians.
Through the Federal Framework
for Aboriginal Economic Development,
the Government of Canada is helping
Aboriginal businesses partner in some
of the most important economic de-
velopment and energy projects in the
country. Some examples of First Na-
tion communities that have benefitted
from our Government’s investments
in economic development are Swan
Lake Manitoba with investments into
community development, Nations
Construction Consulting in Chilli-
wack British Columbia has proven that
women can succeed in the construc-
tion world, and Wawatay Native Com-
munications Society in Sioux Lookout
Ontario provides media services to
communities throughout Northern On-
tario. More information on these and
other initiatives are available online
at:
eng/1307014211008/1307014336701
CIO: What special role does in-
dustry play when it comes to training
and development of Aboriginal com-
munities?
BV:
Industry plays an important
role in identifying the key skills and
training that Aboriginal people will
need to secure challenging and inter-
esting work, and industry can match
