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UArctic Assembly 2023 Program Highlight #2: Indigenous-themed evening

Mar 24, 2023

During the UArctic Assembly 2023 you will have the chance to spend an evening learning more about First Nations and Inuit, and listen to a performance of traditional Inuit throat singing and drumming!

The Indigenous-themed social evening is included in the registration fee for the UArctic Assembly 2023. Please confirm your presence on the registration form.

Wednesday, 24 May 2023
Location: Musée de la Civilisation de Québec, 85 Rue Dalhousie, Québec city (Québec) G1K 8R2
Time: 18:00 – 20:00 o’clock

The Musée de la Civilisation is located in the historic district of Old Quebec, surrounded by wonderful restaurants and boutique hotels. Join this evening to learn more about First Nations and Inuit, spend time networking with fellow northern researchers over cocktail hour and enjoy a traditional Inuit throat singing performance.

Exhibition on First Nations and Inuit in the 21st Century

This Is Our Story draws on a rich collection of Aboriginal art—more than 450 objects are on display to introduce today’s Aboriginal cultures and how they view the world. What does it mean to be Aboriginal in the 21st century?

This Is Our Story is an exhibition in five parts:

  • “Who We Are Today: The Reserve, Our Communities”
  • “Our Roots”
  • “A Time of Turmoil”
  • “Decolonization: Healing”
  • “What Are Our Dreams for the Future?

Visit the exhibition website to learn more.

NT5

Quebec Cree launch knowledge festival to explain culture, history to non-Indigenous world – CBC

Mar 24, 2023

‘We want to share our culture. Who we are as Cree people’

Cree from northern Quebec are launching a yearly festival to gather and share with the world their culture, history, and teachings — and to help Cree youth reconnect with their roots.

The Cree Knowledge Festival is a virtual event happening in English and French on March 25 and 26. This year, it will take place in Chisasibi and will be shared online, but organizers say they want it to become an in-person, annual event.

“We want people to learn about us, we want to share our culture. Who we are as Cree people … and eventually [have people] come and visit us up in the North,” said Gaston Cooper, the executive director for the Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association (CNACA).

CNACA is one of the groups organizing the festival, along with the Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association (COTA) and the Cree Trappers Association (CTA) and others.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cree-culture-knowledge-festival-1.6789803

MCK announces creation of the Investment and Revenue Committee

(Kahnawake – 24, Enniskó:wa/March 2023) The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that the Council of Chiefs passed an Executive Directive at a duly-convened Council meeting (March 6, 2023) to formally approve the creation of the Investment & Revenue Committee, which will govern the MCK’s investment affairs and commercial activities.

The committee vision is to ensure proper oversight of the MCK’s business interests to generate wealth and prosperity for the community by developing, administering, operating, controlling and/or investing in a diverse portfolio of both assets inside and outside of the Territory. The long-term objective (e.g. 100 years) is to ensure economic sustainability for the Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke, over and above all external funding levels.

“The creation of the Investment and Revenue Committee will allow for proper oversight of the MCK’s investment affairs, ensuring proper business due diligence,” said Michael Delisle, Jr., who leads the Economic Development Portfolio. “Financial independence is a priority for the MCK and the creation of the Investment & Revenue Committee will help the community and the next generations to prosper.”

The Ratitsénhaienhs will entrust the committee to make financially sound investment decisions which will ensure adequate returns over the long-term without undue risk. This will be accomplished with the advice of an independent External Investment Expert. The Lead Portfolio Chief is responsible to report back to the Council of Chiefs. The committee will draft, implement, and adhere to the investment policy which will be approved by the Council of Chiefs.

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Media Inquiries:

Joe Delaronde Political Press Attaché 450- 632-7500 ext 63251 [email protected]

NT5

Listuguj Mi’gmaq: Commercial Fisheries Send-Off Ceremony

March 23, 2023

There will be a Commercial Fisheries Send-Off Ceremony on Friday, March 31st in the AGS Cafeteria.

Offoflng tobacco when gathering food from our territory is based on the Mi‘lgmaq Principle of Ta’n Telmi’watmg Goqwei, (Giving Thanks). It’s our responsibility to uphold and honor this tradition and pass it on to our children.

Please join us at the Send-Off Ceremony for the 2023 commercial fishing season and make your tobacco offering to show gratitude:
– to the sea that provides for our people.
– to the commercial fishers, and their support staff.
– to those who signed the Treaties and exercised our Aboriginal rights.

Your tobacco offerings will be put into a Sacred Bundle that fishers from each of the Listuguj vessels will bring to the sea on behalf of our community.

This event is organized by the Office of Chief & Council, the Natural Resources Directorate, and the AGS to create an opportunity for community members, students, and Elders to wish the Listuguj fishers a good season, a safe trip, and a safe return back home.

Sending-Off Ceremony

Location: AGS cafeteria

Date: Friday, March 31st

Time: from 2:00 to 3:00 pm

NT5

Montreal names new commissioner of relations with Indigenous Peoples – Montreal Gazette

Mar 23, 2023

Lauréanne Fontaine worked in the office of the Quebec minister responsible for relations with the First Nations and the Inuit.

The city of Montreal on Thursday announced that it has named Lauréanne Fontaine to the post of commissioner of relations with Indigenous Peoples.

The city said in a statement that Fontaine’s mandate would be to ensure that the city’s 2020-2025 Strategy for Reconciliation with  Indigenous Peoples would be carried out. That strategy includes the development of training and awareness programs for city personnel, establishing a plan to recognize, value and promote the contribution of Indigenous Peoples to the island of Montreal and the development of a government-to-government relationship between the city and Indigenous nations.

Read More: https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/montreal-names-new-commissioner-of-relations-with-indigenous-peoples?r

Martin Morris selected as new Director of Public Works

(Kahnawake – 22, Enniskó:wa/March 2023) The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is pleased to inform the community that Martin Morris has been selected as the successful candidate for the position of Director of the Public Works Unit.

Martin began his career at the MCK in 2003, working at the Sports and Recreation Unit until 2005. In 2010 he was hired as the Assistant Supervisor of Infrastructure Operations and Maintenance (IOM) for Public Works and then moved to the IOM Supervisor position in 2014. In 2021, he became the General Manager of IOM and has been the acting Interim Director of the Public Works Unit, replacing Brendan Montour, who became the Director of the Capital Unit.

“Martin has been doing an excellent job here at the MCK and has been a dedicated employee throughout the years,” said Ratsénhaienhs Arnold Boyer, who holds the Infrastructure, Transport, and Operations Portfolio. “ We wish Martin well in his new position as Director of the Public Works Unit, and I’m confident he will be an asset to the unit and community.”

Mr. Morris officially began work as Director on March 13, 2023.

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Media Inquiries:

David Lahache Interim Political Press Attaché

450- 632-7500 ext. 50289 [email protected]

NT5

Minister O’Regan releases the What We Heard Report on Developing Greater Labour Protections for Gig Workers

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

March 22, 2023

Every day, more and more Canadian workers are taking on gig work—casual work arrangements involving specific and often one-off tasks, frequently through digital platforms. While gig work can offer some benefits, such as flexible work arrangements, these kinds of work relationships can also often deprive workers of their labour rights and the basic job protections that everyone deserves. Labour standards must continue to evolve to ensure safe and fair working conditions for all workers, regardless of their work status, and the Government of Canada is committed to updating the Canada Labour Code to better protect gig workers.

Today, Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan Jr. released the What We Heard Report on Developing Greater Labour Protections for Gig Workers, which summarizes feedback from consultations to better understand gig workers’ experiences in federally regulated sectors, including those working on digital platforms. Examples of gig workers in federally regulated industries include some self-employed truck drivers, couriers, network technicians, freelancers, artists and cultural workers.

The Government heard from a variety of Canadians and stakeholders, including employers, employer representatives, unions, worker groups, Indigenous partners, advocacy organizations and experts. The report highlights four key themes:

  • recognizing challenges and opportunities of gig work;
  • improving access to labour protections for gig workers;
  • ensuring more transparency and fairness in the gig economy; and
  • improving information quality for better policy-making.

Those who participated had a broad range of views, and their varied feedback and experiences reflect the complex nature of gig work. The Government will carefully consider the results of the consultations as it plans to move forward with improvements to labour protections for gig workers.

The Government is also working to better protect federally regulated workers by strengthening employee misclassification provisions. On January 1, 2021, legislative amendments came into force that prohibit employers from incorrectly classifying workers as independent contractors when they are in fact employees, and denying them rights, protections and entitlements under the Code. Starting in 2023–24, the 2022 Fall Economic Statement proposed $26.3 million, over five years, to support the Government in enforcing non-compliance measures in the federally regulated road transportation industry through orders, administrative monetary penalties and prosecutions.

Quotes

“The nature of work is changing, so Canada’s Labour Code has to change too. Gig workers are workers. They deserve protection.”
–Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan Jr.

Quick facts

  • There are approximately 18,500 employers in federally regulated industries, including federal Crown corporations that together employ 955,000 people (about 6% of all employees in Canada), the vast majority (87%) of whom work in medium-sized to large firms (that is, companies with 100 or more employees).
  • It is estimated that roughly 41,000 gig workers currently operate in federally regulated industries.
  • The Minister of Labour has a mandate commitment to develop greater labour protections for gig workers, including those who work through digital platforms.
  • Between 2020 to 2022, the Government consulted with stakeholders to better understand the experiences and situations of gig workers, including those who work through digital platforms, which included:
    • interviews with over 30 experts on a variety of topics related to gig workers, including people who work through digital platforms;
    • feedback from an online public consultation;
    • virtual roundtable discussions with employers, employer organizations, unions, labour organizations, think tanks and advocacy groups; and
    • targeted group meetings.
  • The Government of Canada also consulted Canadians over two years on how to build a modern Employment Insurance program that better meets the needs of workers and employers. Coverage for self-employed and gig workers was discussed in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the consultations.

Associated links

Contacts

For media enquiries, please contact:

Hartley Witten
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan Jr.
343-575-1065
[email protected]

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]

NT5

The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada launches funding for training to improve health care access in rural settings

SHAWVILLE, QC, March 22, 2023 – Equitable access to health care is a growing concern for rural, remote and Indigenous communities, and today the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC) is addressing the issue with the launch of the National Advanced Skills and Training Program for Rural Practice. The goal of the program is to support recruitment and retention and reduce physician shortages in the most underserved communities in Canada.

The SRPC, the national voice of Canadian rural physicians, has received funding to support and fund practicing rural physicians, including international medical graduates and those in their first year of practice. The training will increase their skill sets based on the needs of rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, and reduce the need for patient transport out of communities to receive health services.

“Health care needs in rural areas are unique, extending beyond comprehensive primary health care,” said Dr. Sarah Lespérance, president of the SRPC. “Equitable access for these communities includes offering services such as emergency care, anesthesia, obstetrics, surgery, palliative care and mental health. A segment of the current rural physician workforce is not fully equipped to offer all the many services required,” continued Dr. Lespérance. “This program will change that.”

Dr. Gavin Parker, a family physician in Pincher Creek, Alta., is a member of the new program’s Expert Advisory Committee. “Challenges in recruitment and retention of physicians due to lack of ongoing skills training have had a negative impact on service delivery in rural and Indigenous communities,” he said. “The pandemic and its resulting physician shortages have furthered healthcare inequities for these communities. With enhanced skills provided by this program, physicians will be better able to serve rural population needs, and improve rural physician attraction and retention.”

Rural physician funding

Rural physicians are encouraged to apply for funding to participate in skills training. They will identify their own training needs and select or develop learning opportunities to meet their needs. Once accepted in the program, the rural physician will receive a daily stipend to cover income loss, locum coverage and preceptor costs in addition to reimbursement for travel and accommodation. More information and the application can be found here.

The SRPC is part of a consortium entitled Team Primary Care: Training for Transformation which intends to accelerate health system reform needed to adopt the broad delivery of comprehensive primary care. Team Primary Care, co-led by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Canadian Health Workforce Network in partnership with over 65 health professional and educational organizations across Canada, is an interprofessional project of the Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine funded by Employment and Social Development Canada.

FB: facebook.com/theSRPC
Tw:@SRPCanada
IG: @the_srpc

About The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada

The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada is the national voice of Canadian rural physicians. Founded in 1992, the mission is championing rural generalist medical care through education, collaboration, advocacy and research. The mandate is to support rural physicians and communities, and enhance access to high quality care, close to home. The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada has a history of engagement in education and capacity-building projects, and these activities are core to the organization’s current activities.

About Team Primary Care

Team Primary Care – Training for Transformation is a unique and timely initiative that aims to accelerate transformative change in the way primary care practitioners train to work together. To do so, it brings together an extensive network of partners to enhance the capacity of interprofessional comprehensive primary care (CPC) through improved training for practitioners, supports for teams, and tools for planners and employers.

For further information: Kristen Kluke, [email protected], Or call: 416-484-9214

NT5

SRPC is Seeking Representatives to Join Council : Treasurer, Anesthesia, Indigenous Health, R&R, NS, NU, PI and QC Representatives

21-Mar-2023 4:32 PM

The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada is seeking motivated and passionate physicians to join Council. Members interested in the following positions should send their EOI and cv by Friday, March 31st, 2023.

SRPC EXECUTIVE ROLE

  • Treasurer

SRPC Executive positions are a 2-year term, eligible for renewal once.

PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL REPRESENTATIVES

  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec

STANDING COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES

  • Anesthesia
  • Indigenous Health
  • Rural and Remote (2)

Provincial/Territorial and Standing Committee Representatives have a term of 3 years, eligible for renewal once.

The primary role of these representatives is to act as a liaison between SRPC members and SRPC Council. Representatives will be the primary contact person to connect with regarding current issues.

Rural and Remote Co-Chair: R&R 2024 will take place April 18-20, 2024, in Edmonton, and R&R 2025 with be in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in April (Date TBC). Preference would be to have 2 Physician members from AB, MB or SK.

Please submit an expression of interest (EOI) in Microsoft Word (max 250 words) to SRPC head office, signed by one SRPC member in good standing. Please include your curriculum vitae. The eligible candidate must be an active physician member of the SRPC. Previous Committee and / or Council experience should be listed and is desirable.

For further information on the roles and responsibilities of these positions, please contact Jenna Keindel.

EOI and CVs must be received no later than Friday, March 31st, 2023.

The Nominations & Awards Committee will review the submissions and choose an appropriate candidate.

NT5

World Water Day marked with funding announcement for research and protection of our most precious natural resource: fresh water

From: Environment and Climate Change Canada

March 22, 2023

We are taking advantage of World Water Day to support our ambitious climate change actions that keep our air and our fresh water clean. Already, the Government of Canada has committed to create a Canadian Water Agency to protect this natural resource, which provides us with clean drinking water, transportation, energy, and economic opportunities, as well as recreation. Parliamentary Secretary Terry Duguid is also attending the United Nations Water 2023 Conference in New York this week as Canada’s representative to discuss the mid-term review of the goals of the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development, 2018–2028.

Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced a $25 million investment in the International Institute for Sustainable Development’s Experimental Lakes Area. This research centre facilitates experiments in the Experimental Lakes Area, located in northern Ontario, on stressors to aquatic ecosystems, including excess nutrients, acidification, contaminants of concern, and climate change. This centre contributes to freshwater management, including the protection and restoration of freshwater biodiversity, both in Canada, and abroad.

This five-year, $25 million investment in the Experimental Lakes Area will support new and ongoing freshwater science, enhance national and international scientific collaborations, and support projects to improve research capacity and knowledge exchange, both in Canada, and abroad.

This funding was first announced in the 2022 Federal Budget, which included broad efforts to better protect the natural environment and help reduce the financial and ecological costs associated with biodiversity loss and climate change. The mitigation and adaptation measures in the 2022 Budget build on the significant investments of more than $100 billion made for the environment and climate change since 2015.

Investments in climate change initiatives like this one are part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to fight climate change, create good jobs, and build a strong, environmentally responsible economy for all.

Quotes

“On World Water Day, it’s wonderful to see Canada continuing its important role in the global fight to conserve and protect fresh water. Through our ongoing support of the world-class science taking place in the Experimental Lakes Area, and organizations like the International Institute for Sustainable Development, we will make a measurable difference by better understanding and leveraging real solutions to address climate change. The Government of Canada continues to work to strengthen the health and quality of ecosystems and build resilient communities across the country.”
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“The Experimental Lakes Area has been the site of in depth, longitudinal, freshwater research for more than half a century now, and we continue to support its work through the Winnipeg-based International Institute for Sustainable Development. On World Water Day, it is important to remember that every Canadian depends on access to fresh water—and ongoing research and innovation is vital to protecting this critical resource.”
–  Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“The International Institute for Sustainable Development’s Experimental Lakes Area is truly the world’s freshwater laboratory, and this investment in its future will ensure not only its continued impact on the health of fresh water at home, but also across the globe. Research into old and new pollutants, the very first climate change education centre for northwestern Ontario, building bridges with the ten African Great Lakes—all of this, and more, will be supported by these critical new funds. And this World Water Day, we are proud to be making the case at the United Nations 2023 Water Conference in New York City for our unparalleled approach to freshwater science here in Canada to be translated into policy that improves the health of freshwater supplies in every jurisdiction on the planet, for now, and for generations to come.”
– Dr. Matthew McCandless PhD, Executive Director, International Institute for Sustainable Development Experimental Lakes Area

Quick facts

  • Environment and Climate Change Canada has a national program on water science. This program prioritizes, harmonizes, and improves inclusive, collaborative, and coordinated freshwater science and knowledge in Canada to inform decision- and policymakers.
  • Canada has 20 percent of the world’s freshwater reserves. Protecting this fresh water is of critical importance to Canadians, the environment, and the economy. In 2019, the Government made a commitment to establish a Canadian Water Agency to work with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders to find the best ways to ensure Canada’s water is safe, clean, and well managed.
  • The Government of Canada is implementing a variety of freshwater protection initiatives, including:
    • restoring water quality and ecosystem health in Areas of Concern
    • preventing toxic and harmful algae
    • reducing emissions of harmful chemicals
    • supporting the participation of Indigenous peoples
    • increasing public engagement through citizen science

Associated links

Contacts

Kaitlin Power
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-230-1557
[email protected]

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
[email protected]

NT5

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