Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
March 11, 2011
Check against delivery
Elders, Chiefs, Minister Norris: thank you all for being here today.
Four years ago, my department began working in partnership with Saskatchewan First Nations, Tribal Councils, the Government of Saskatchewan, provincial employers and training institutions to promote active measures strategies focused on First Nation labour market development.
Today, we are going one step further - enhancing this collaboration and partnership. With the Memorandum of Understanding we are signing today, we have agreed to work together to increase First Nation participation in Saskatchewan's workforce and enhance employment outcomes for First Nations.
With this MOU, we are committing to working together to develop and implement active strategies that will help First Nation individuals move from income assistance dependency to leading independent, self-sufficient lives with the skills and training they need to find and hold meaningful, sustainable jobs.
In practical terms, Active Measures will help individuals join the labour market in five ways:
- by providing greater access to career planning, skills development and employment counselling services;
- by providing greater access to literacy, adult basic education and workplace essential skills training;
- by providing transitional supports, such as training allowances, to improve access to short-term training opportunities;
- by providing supports, such as transportation and child care; and,
- by working with employers and industry to align skills training with the demands of the labour market and economy.
Active measures also present an opportunity for First Nation communities to work in partnership with all levels of government, to find ways for First Nation youth to become fully engaged in today's workforce.
Saskatchewan's approach to implementing Active Measures is both inclusive and flexible. While five Tribal Councils are formally joining in partnership with the federal and provincial governments by signing this Memorandum of Understanding today, the partnership remains open to all Saskatchewan Tribal Councils and their member First Nations.
This Active Measures MOU is an example of the kind of progress that is possible when there is collaboration between all parties and we agree to work towards shared goals. Through this partnership, I look forward to working together to implement strategies that will increase skills training and employment opportunities for First Nations.
