FUNDING FOR NORTHERN TRAINING PROJECTS

New training and job opportunities are opening up for northerners with funding under the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement (NDA).

The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are providing $522,946 for five projects including support for establishment of a Forestry Career Centre, First Nations child care training, a practical nursing certificate and computer training for northern administrators.

"The Government of Canada is committed to helping the people of Northern Saskatchewan take advantage of economic opportunities," said Finance Minister Ralph Goodale, on behalf of Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "These projects are building local strength and skills to ensure that northern communities have a good, solid economic foundation for a viable future."

"These projects put northern Saskatchewan residents in a better position to realize employment opportunities and northern communities in a better position to build capacity," Saskatchewan Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger said.

"Northerners, through the approval of these five initiatives will become more self sufficient by enhancing their education thereby increasing their effectiveness in their chosen professions. As we approve more projects through the Northern Development Agreement, the level of capacity in the North grows and the North will become better served and more self-reliant," Northern Development Board Corporation Chair Al Rivard said.

The NDA tripartite committee selected the five projects after reviewing applications for project proposals. This was the second round of applications approved since the NDA was established in October 2002. The NDA tripartite committee consists of representatives from the federal and provincial governments (Western Economic Diversification Canada and Saskatchewan Northern Affairs) and the Northern Development Board Corporation (NDB). The NDB includes representatives from the Prince Albert Grand Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities (New North) together with the Athabasca Economic Development and Training Corporation.

To date, the federal and provincial governments have announced over $3.1 million in funding for 13 projects that are worth more than $4 million including partnership contributions under the NDA.

The five-year, $20-million NDA—funded with $10 million each from the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan—provides opportunities for northerners in five strategic priority areas including economic infrastructure, innovation, realizing employment opportunities, capacity building and investment attraction.

The five projects announced today are:

Training Total Project Costs
First Nations child care training (certificate/diploma) $240,260
First Nations child care training (certificate) – Pinehouse $161,736
Practical Nursing certificate training $380,826
New North officials computer training $ 83,920

Capacity Building
Forestry Career Centre $170,269
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Total project value $1,037,011
Federal-provincial contribution $522,946

Federal funding for these projects was provided for in the March 2004 budget.

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For More Information, Contact:

John Charlton Northern Affairs Regina Phone: (306)787-5061	Joanne Mysak Western Economic Diversification Canada Saskatoon Phone: (306)975-5942
Dean Desjarlais Northern Development Board La Ronge Phone: (306)425-2444