EDMONTON, AB (March 9, 2007) - Canada's New Government and the Province of Alberta today signed partnership agreements with the City of Edmonton and Capital Health to promote career and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.
The agreements were signed by the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians; the Honourable Iris Evans, Alberta Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry; His Worship Stephen Mandel, mayor, City of Edmonton; Al Maurer, manager, City of Edmonton; and Joanna Pawlyshyn, vice-president and chief operating officer, Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Although there are two separate agreements with the City of Edmonton and Capital Health, both are similar in that they commit the organizations to the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal employees, including educational and training opportunities. Each reflects and fosters fairness, inclusiveness, respect and honour for diverse traditions and perspectives, open communication, trust and consistency of approach.
The agreements are part of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI), a program that promotes the participation of all Aboriginal peoples - First Nations, Métis and Inuit - in the labour market.
"To promote meaningful participation of Aboriginal people in the workforce, Canada's New Government is proud to be partnering with some of Canada's leading companies, public agencies, industry, professional and labour groups," said Minister Prentice. "By signing these agreements, we are working to ensure that employers can recruit, retain and promote Aboriginal employees, which results in a win-win situation."
The Government of Alberta's Aboriginal Policy Framework emphasizes the well-being, self-reliance, and rights of Aboriginal people. Through partnerships with all levels of government and private and public sector organizations, the framework seeks to meet the needs of all Aboriginal people in the province.
"By strengthening Aboriginal employment in the health care system, Capital Health is improving the well-being of Aboriginal people," said Employment, Immigration and Industry Minister, Iris Evans. "The City of Edmonton has the second largest urban Aboriginal population in Canada and its participation in the agreement affirms the city's commitment to Aboriginal people."
The City of Edmonton's priority for building relations with Aboriginal people is evident in City Council's declaration "Strengthening Relations between the City of Edmonton and Urban Aboriginal People" and in the administration's Edmonton Urban Aboriginal Accord relationship agreement with the Aboriginal community.
"The city has been moving forward in its relationship building with Aboriginal people and toward its goal of hiring and retaining more Aboriginal employees. The AWPI agreement provides the city with a solid foundation on which to do this," said Mayor Mandel.
"With the recent creation of the Aboriginal Relations Office and with Human Resources hiring an Aboriginal Outreach staff member, we expect to see more Aboriginal people considering work and pursuing a career with the city. And we are building a work environment that will welcome and sustain their involvement in our workforce."
Capital Health has identified increasing capacity to recruit and retain Aboriginal workers within its workforce as one of the key priorities within its Aboriginal Health Program's strategic plan. As part of the agreement, the health region is committed to advancing a plan to increase the number of Aboriginal people in healthcare occupations.
"Capital Health is honoured to be a part of AWPI," said Pawlyshyn. "We are committed to fostering a safe, supportive work environment and ensuring constructive cultural relations so that we can recruit and retain Aboriginal people. Participating in an agreement that is supported nationally, provincially and locally will bring additional diversity, strength and innovation to Capital Health."
For further information contact:
Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
(819) 997-0002
INAC Media Relations
(819) 953-1160
Backgrounder - Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative
