Regan Announces Changes to the Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program

News Release

April 26, 2005 OTTAWA - The Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced changes to the implementation and delivery of the Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program (AIHP), announced in the fall of 2003. The AIHP provides funding for Aboriginal organizations to develop their capacity to carry out activities for the conservation, protection and enhancement of fish habitat in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Québec. "The results of our initial consultations about this new program indicated that we needed to change how it is administered and carry out more groundwork with potential users," Minister Regan said. "We are grateful for the assistance of the Assembly of First Nations in obtaining advice on a change in the program's direction." Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has concluded that AIHP can best be delivered through DFO's regions rather than from headquarters. It expects to have a new management structure for the program in place shortly. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has been working with the department to gather advice on new directions and program criteria. In February and March, the AFN carried out consultations at provincial workshops in Edmonton, Prince Albert, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Montreal. Participants at several of the workshops encouraged the department to work with Aboriginal organizations to develop a coordinated approach to program delivery at the provincial level. The department will respond to the recommendations in the AFN report and will work with provincial Aboriginal leaders to implement the suggested approach over the next few months. AIHP assists Aboriginal groups in the five inland provinces to become involved in the activities of DFO's fish habitat management program. This will help Aboriginal groups work more effectively with DFO in contributing to healthy and productive fish habitat. -30- For More Information: Phil Jenkins Media Relations Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ottawa (613) 990-7537 Theresa Nichols Communications Officer Fisheries and Oceans Canada Sarnia (519) 383-1804 Sylvi Racine Senior Communications Officer Fisheries and Oceans Canada Mont-Joli, Québec (418) 775-0744

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Regan Announces Changes to the Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program

News Release

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