Harper Government invests in Personalized Job Readiness Support for First Nation Youth from Lac Simon

January 21, 2015 – Ottawa, ON – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, announced that 60 First Nation youth from the Nation Anishnabe de Lac Simon in Quebec will receive personalized job readiness supports.

Across the country, First Nation youth from 70 communities are currently participating and succeeding in job readiness activities. These measures are designed to ensure that participating youth are equipped with the tools and opportunities they need to increase their employability so they can successfully reach their goals and reduce reliance on Income Assistance.

This past summer, Minister Valcourt and Parliamentary Secretary Mark Strahl held roundtables across the country to hear from First Nation youth already participating in job readiness activities and to learn how they are benefiting from the program. By investing in First Nation youth, our Government is taking concrete steps to help build more prosperous, self-sufficient First Nation communities.

Quick facts

• In Quebec there are now 10 First Nations who are taking advantage of this program: Nation Anishnabe de Lac Simon, Innus de Ekuanitshit, Montagnais de Unamen Shipu, Montagnais de Pakua Shipi, Innus de Pessamit, Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government, Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam, Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, Atikamekw de Manawan and the Conseil des Montagnais du Lac-St-Jean–Mashteuiatsh
• First Nation youth on-reserve, who are between the ages of 18 and 24, are receiving personalized job and skills training as part of changes to the Income Assistance program. Economic Action Plan 2013 included $132 million to support Enhanced Service Delivery and $109 million for the First Nations Job Fund.
• Participants have access to a range of services and programs aimed at increasing their job prospects and supporting them as they move into the workforce, including: basic life-skills and literacy training, skills training and career counseling.
• This year, 4,606 First Nation youth are taking advantage of Enhanced Service Delivery, which provides a case-management approach to indentifying barriers they may face in obtaining a job and establishes a plan to overcome them.

Quotes

“Our Government firmly believes that First Nations should have the same opportunities as all Canadians to find, keep and enjoy the benefits of a good job; that’s why this program is so important. It provides personalized jobs readiness support for First Nation youth from Lac Simon, and across the country, so they can successfully take advantage of the economic prosperity of this country”

– Bernard Valcourt,
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

“Our Government continues to take concrete steps to create the conditions for prosperous, self-sufficient First Nation communities. Investing in personalized job readiness support will lead to greater First Nation participation in the economy, healthier First Nation communities and a stronger Canada.”

– Denis Lebel,
Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

“For a community that has been experiencing a child population boom for several years, this new program will smooth access to the labour market and revitalize our youth between the ages of 18 and 24, who represent a significant proportion of our population. Combined with the economic development we are currently enjoying, this program cannot fail to improve living conditions for all our members.”

– Salomée McKenzie,
Chief, Conseil de la Nation Anishnabe de Lac Simon

Related products

• New First Nations Entrants participating in Skills and Job Training Activities in Quebec and Saskatchewan
• Backgrounder – Improving Income Assistance
• Success Stories of First Nations Youth participating in Skills and Job Training activities
• Backgrounder – Enhanced Service Delivery
• Video – Connecting Youth with Jobs: Reforming Income Assistance
• January 31, 2014 – Harper Government Connects First Nation Youth with Personalized Skills and Training

Additional links

• Skills and Job Training: Income Assistance Program
• Skills and Job Training for First Nation Youth: Roundtables
• First Nations Job Fund
• June 12, 2013 – Harper Government Invests in Skills & Training for First Nation Youth

Contacts

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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