February 13, 2009
Government of Canada supports training and skills development
opportunities for Aboriginal people in northern Ontario
SOUTH PORCUPINE– Aboriginal people will gain valuable
skills and employment experience required to work in the mining
industry through a new strategy announced today. Ed Komarnicki,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and
Skills Development and to the Minister of Labour and Member
of Parliament for Souris–Moose Mountain, made the announcement
on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human
Resources and Skills Development, at the Northern College, Porcupine
campus in South Porcupine, Ontario.
The Matachewan Aboriginal Access to Jobs Training Strategy (MAATS)
is a partnership strategy that will assist Aboriginal people
in obtaining employment with mining and other industry partners
through education and employment programs. Supported by Human
Resources and Skills Development Canada in partnership with
Northgate Minerals Corporation and the province of Ontario,
the strategy is funded under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment
Partnership (ASEP) Program.
“Canada’s Economic Action Plan aims to create more
and better opportunities for Aboriginal Canadians,” said
Mr. Kormarnicki. “This investment of $2.05 million for
the Matachewan Aboriginal Access to Jobs Training Strategy will
provide training and skills development opportunities for more
than 200 Aboriginal people in northern Ontario.”
“The success of the program will come with those who obtain
secure jobs in the mining industry, allowing them to provide
for their families and have a career with room for opportunity,”
said Shawn Batise, executive director of the Wabun Tribal Council.
MAATS builds on a partnership that has evolved over the last
year between the local Aboriginal communities of Matachewan,
Wahgoshig, and Mattagami First Nations and with industry partner,
Northgate Minerals.
“This is a good news story about co-operation between
government, Aboriginal people, and the mining industry,”
said Chris Rockingham, Vice President Exploration and Business
Development of Northgate Minerals Corporation. “It will
help the local economy and will enable Aboriginal people to
participate in the local mining industry in greater numbers
and at higher skill levels.”
The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program focuses
on sustainable Aboriginal employment by providing the skills
and training needed to participate in economic opportunities
such as northern mining, oil and gas, forestry, and fishery
projects across Canada.
