PROVINCE AND HEALTH REGION SIGN AEDP PARTNERSHIP

The province today signed an Aboriginal Employment Development Program (AEDP) partnership agreement with the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region along with the region's affiliate and unions, and the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations.

"The provincial government's goal is to achieve a representative workforce," Aboriginal Affairs Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "Partnerships such as this one being signed today are an important step toward the full and equal participation of Aboriginal people in our province – socially and economically."

"Through this AEDP partnership, our health region will continue to develop programs that serve to increase the employment opportunities for the region's partners and communities in the years ahead," Prince Albert Parkland Health Region Board Chair Raymond Ewanchuk said.

The Saskatchewan Government, through the AEDP, strives to build a workforce in Saskatchewan where Aboriginal people compete for jobs based on their skills and qualifications, and where they have representation at all occupational levels in proportion to their population numbers in the province.

Since the first AEDP partnership agreement signed in 1995, 1,500 qualified Aboriginal people have found employment and 2,500 employees of AEDP partners have received cultural awareness training.

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For More Information, Contact:

Anna Arneson Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs Regina Phone: (306)787-8008