May 13, 2015 Ottawa, ON Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today released the Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) Inaugural Report. The report provides an overview of this innovative program and the Government of Canada’s investments in key natural resource sectors of the Canadian economy.
Since its launch in 2010, the SPI has helped Aboriginal entrepreneurs and communities overcome persistent barriers that impede their full participation in the Canadian economy. Designed to coordinate the efforts and investments of multiple federal partners to advance Aboriginal participation in complex economic development opportunities, the SPI provides a way for the Government of Canada to support and increase Aboriginal participation in major resource development projects across Canada.
This Harper Government initiative helps establish new partnerships with the private sector and other levels of government to lever non-federal sources of funding. This in turn helps position Aboriginal communities to maximize benefits from resource development projects. In fact, SPI has supported the development of 100 new partnerships and leveraged more than $70 million in additional funding from non-federal sources since 2010.
With this initiative, our Government is taking concrete steps to ensure Aboriginal people can enjoy the same opportunities for employment, income and wealth creation as other Canadians.
Emily Hillstrom
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
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