The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today emphasized the importance of creating enduring opportunities for Aboriginal communities through responsible resource development in his keynote speech at the 12th annual Premier’s BC Natural Resource Forum luncheon.

On behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Minister Rickford announced realize economic development opportunities and protect the environment:

• An investment of almost $3.5 million over three years for the New Relationship Trust for the Aboriginal Labour Market Community Navigators initiative. This project will create stronger linkages with training institutions to help Aboriginal Peoples obtain the skills they need for jobs such as those in the liquefied natural gas sector. The government of British Columbia is also a key partner in the initiative, helping with its initial design as well as supporting its implementation.
• An investment of $85,800 to support skills training by the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association. The funding will help provide participants with skills training and short-term certifications for trades-related employment opportunities in the energy sector.
• An investment of $25,500 with the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance for a restoration project with fish habitat and aquatic resources in the Upper Fraser Watershed. The project will include collaboration among three First Nations groups: the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC), the Tl’azt’en Nation and the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.

Enhancing Aboriginal engagement in all aspects of resource development is a key component of the government’s plan for responsible resource development, which offers a comprehensive approach to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity while strengthening Canada’s environmental protection.

Quotes:

The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources -

“Responsible resource development can transform communities, create enduring opportunities for First Nations and lead to sustainable growth for generations to come. Our government is partnering with First Nations and industry to develop our resources responsibly and enhance training and employment opportunities for First Nations youth.”

The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development -

“Our government is committed to working in partnership with its partners to strengthen their engagement and participation in energy projects, as well as to enable them to take advantage of the economic opportunities they create. These types of investments will lead to greater participation of Aboriginal peoples in the economy, healthier Aboriginal communities, and a stronger Canada.”

John Rustad, B.C.’s Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

“B.C. is taking a comprehensive approach to partnerships with First Nations on liquefied natural gas opportunities, including the development of skills training and environmental stewardship projects. Through Navigators and other programs, we are pleased to work with the Government of Canada in achieving this goal. Access to well-paying jobs, economic growth and collaboration on the development of a long-term environmental legacy are all part of the opportunity for First Nations.”

Audio clip of Minister John Rustad on new Navigators program:https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/187339268&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false

Cliff Fregin, Chief Executive Officer, New Relationship Trust -

“The New Relationship Trust is pleased to continue to build capacity with B.C. First Nations through the Aboriginal Labour Market Community Navigator project. Seven Community Navigators will co-ordinate directly with industry, public institutions, government and existing skills/training organizations to support First Nations employment aspirations in the potential LNG market.”

Karin Hunt, Executive Director, Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association -

“We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada in the Trades Access Program. Driven by the vision of First Nations leaders to see First Nations engaging fully in trades and technical occupations, our association works diligently to bring together partners to build a skilled and prepared workforce. This is particularly true of growth sectors such as energy, mining, forestry and construction, each projecting employment growth for skilled trades and technology workers.”

Gord Sterritt, Executive Director, Upper Fraser Fish Habitat Restoration Project -

“The UFFCA is pleased to lend its strengths in facilitating collaborative opportunities between and among upper Fraser First Nations, engaging in regional initiatives and interest groups with similar conservation and restoration focuses. The Fisheries Habitat Restoration Initiative supports this role and effectively demonstrates a commitment to maintaining and/or improving the sustainability of the Fraser River fish stocks, which in our view is integral to building First Nations’ support for energy development.”

Quick Facts:

• The natural resource sector directly and indirectly accounts for 1.8 million jobs and almost one-fifth of Canada’s economy
• The oil and gas industry’s contributions to Canada’s economy add up to almost 7.5 percent. The industry currently employs almost 200,000 Canadians directly and an equal if not greater amount indirectly, including 170,000 in oil and gas construction alone.
• The Conference Board of Canada estimates that potential growth in British Columbia’s natural gas sector alone could attract $180 billion in new investment and create 54,000 jobs per year between 2012 and 2035.

Related Products

• Aboriginal Labour Market Community Navigators
• Training Enhancement Program
• Upper Fraser Fish Habitat Restoration Project

Associated Links

Responsible Resource Development - http://eap.gc.ca/en/content/r2d-dr2

Final Report of the Special Federal Representative on West Coast Energy Infrastructure - http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/publications/home/87

Major Projects Management Office - West http://mpmo.gc.ca/west/projects/216

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A backgrounder follows. 

Media Contacts:

Alexandra Lemieux
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613 996-2007

Emily Hillstrom
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819 997-0002

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613 992-4447

Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819 953-1160

Lisa Leslie
B.C. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and
Reconciliation
250 213-7724

BACKGROUNDER

Navigators link First Nations to skills training, jobs

A new program to help Aboriginal people in B.C. navigate skills training and related job opportunities will receive $3.5 million in funding over the next three years. 

The funds are being provided by the Government of Canada to the New Relationship Trust to support the hiring of skills training and jobs “Navigators.”  Through the program, seven navigators and one co-ordinator will help Aboriginal people gain better access to training and jobs in growing industrial sectors such as LNG. 

The navigators will liaise with First Nations communities, training organizations and industry to link skills training directly with emerging job opportunities. They will also work with unemployed community members to assist in getting them job-ready and make recommendations on how to close skills gaps at the community level. 

Other duties will include meeting individuals and their families to identify their goals and objectives; providing advice and information about available services; building relationships and connections within First Nations communities; and networking with regional training institutions regarding community-based training, apprenticeships and trades training programs.

The navigator program will serve approximately 45 First Nations communities in the following B.C. regions: Northeast, North Central, Northwest and the Lower Mainland. It is anticipated that 200 - 400 Aboriginal people will use their services annually. 

Aboriginal people are a major priority in BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint.

• By 2022, one million job openings are projected for B.C., along with higher demand for skills - more than 78% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, and 43% will be in trades and technical occupations.
• Through BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, the Province’s goal is to add 15,000 more Aboriginal workers to the workforce within 10 years.

Learn More:

BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint:  www.workbc.ca/skills

Media Contacts:

Lisa Leslie
B.C. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 213-7724