December 05, 2009
Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan
Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethe – Missinippi – Churchill River, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support to help Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) strengthen economic opportunities in northern Saskatchewan.
"I'm pleased to announce that our Government, through the Economic Action Plan, is providing support for the Meadow Lake Tribal Council," said M.P. Clarke. "This important investment will create jobs and opportunity while providing the resources to help our community emerge from this economic downturn stronger than ever."
Meadow Lake Tribal Council will provide information and communications technology services to its nine First Nations members as well as up to 30 northern Saskatchewan communities and First Nations. MLTC will use this funding to:
- upgrade current computer systems, networks, websites, intranet sites, and databases;
-purchase new computers and software; and
-assist communities in obtaining other advanced technology solutions.
Federal funding of $2,260,036 is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. Meadow Lake Tribal Council will contribute $253,559 to the project.
" I am very pleased with today's announcement for funding that will clearly benefit all people of Northern Saskatchewan and in particular members of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and its nine First Nations communities," said MLTC Tribal Chief, Helen Ben. " Computer technology, access to information and the internet are tools needed to improve the career and training opportunities for our young people and will further the economic development aspirations of our communities. This funding creates unique job opportunities for our people along with the much needed training and applied work to make the greatest impact. On behalf of all of our people, thank-you and we look forward to more partnerships like this in the future."
This initiative will provide information technology skills training and long-term job opportunities for people in northwestern Saskatchewan. Northern communities will have the capacity to use modern communication technologies, turning over greater access to information and training - through technology such as videoconferencing for education programming. Approximately 18 full-time jobs will be created, some of which will be through co-op placements for workers to receive on the job training.
A part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is a two-year, $1 billion national program that will provide an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment in rural communities.
The fund will provide $306 million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries, for instance forestry, mining, agriculture and fisheries, and communities that depend on the manufacturing industry. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.
Visit the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) in the West or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information.
For more information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (306) 975-5942
Ben Voss
Chief Executive Officer
MLTC Resource Development Inc.
Telephone: (306) 236-5654
