WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, May 12, 2008 - The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, today announced federal funding in support of youth activities at Vision Quest 2008, an annual economic development conference aimed at providing educational and networking opportunities for Aboriginal people.
"The Government of Canada is committed to helping Aboriginal people get the skills they need to find and keep good jobs," said Minister Toews. Projects like Vision Quest go a long way to ensuring our Aboriginal youth can realize their education and employment goals."
The Government of Canada is providing a contribution of $54,560 in support of presentations, facilitated workshops and group discussions geared towards the expected 160 Aboriginal youth attending the conference. Other features of Vision Quest 2008 include a trade show, employer displays and speaker sessions offering information on job prospects in high-demand occupations.
"I would like to extend my congratulations to the p art icipants, organizers, presenters and to all those who contributed to the tremendous success of Vision Quest 2008," said Minister Strahl. "This conference is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the Government of Canada's support for Aboriginal youth and to help them get into the work force."
Vision Quest is formed through partnerships with a number of Community Futures Development Corporations. Their mandate is to support Aboriginal people, businesses and communities with particular emphasis on providing employment-related services to urban Aboriginal youth. This initiative is funded in part though the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy, which is designed to expand employment opportunities of Aboriginal people across Canada . Under the Strategy, Aboriginal organizations design and deliver employment programs and services best suited to meet the unique needs of their communities.
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Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
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Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
