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On December 1, 2006 the Aboriginal Business Canada and First Nations SchoolNet programs of Industry Canada, along with the responsibilities associated with the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, will be transferred to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.  The employees involved in the existing programming will report to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs starting on that date.

This move is intended to ensure that Aboriginal peoples can seize economic opportunities to improve well being in their communities and contribute to the national economy.

The government is bringing together the Aboriginal economic development and educational functions carried out at Industry Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.  As a result, a new Aboriginal Economic Development Sector will be created at INAC.  As an interim measure the new sector will be lead by James Lahey, Associate Deputy Minister assisted by Brent DiBartolo who will lead the transition.

First Nations SchoolNet will become part of the Education Branch at INAC directed by Juliet Balfour.  SchoolNet is an important tool for strengthening First Nations education.

The Government believes that this consolidation will create opportunities to build on, and strengthen existing programs, and to use federal resources more strategically.  The measure also reinforces the Government's commitment to Aboriginal economic development and job creation.

The Chiefs Steering Committee Communications Bulletins are being distributed to the First Nations involved in discussions about the hydro grid routes being considered to transport power from Northern Manitoba. The following six bulletins are available for download as Word documents by clicking on each of them.

• Bulletin #1 
• Bulletin #2
• Bulletin #3
• Bulletin #4
• Bulletin #5
• Bulletin #6

All are welcome to joing the next Online Economic Development Workshop with Darcy + Susan's Gas

November 30, 2006  9:30-11:00AM (CST)

Darcy and Susan Kejick are the owners and operators of Darcy and Susan’s Gas in North Spirit Lake First Nation. They have received awards from NADF for Youth Entrepreneur and Partnership (2005). Recently they received a business plan award regarding the expansion of their business to include a grocery store. The Kejicks will share the story of how the business was started, some tips for community entrepreneurs and the vision they have for the future of the business. Come and ask Darcy and Susan about starting or expanding your small business.

Please book your video conference site.

Contact: Terry Moreau Phone: 877.737.5638 X 1266

Email: tmoreau@knet.ca

Visit the website for more information, live webstream, archived sessions, links and resources.

The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (www.nodin.on.ca) is working with K-Net to webcast their district chiefs meeting. The meeting is taking place this week in Sioux Lookout at the Sunset Suites.

One important item on the agenda is to discuss the First Nation distribution formula for Health Canada's Reinvestment Fund. The Reinvestment Fund are the millions of dollars saved by Health Canada after they transferred the administration of the former Zone Hospital over to the Sioux Lookout Menoyawin Health Centre. Under the four party agreement, these funds were suppose to begin to be available for First Nation health services.

Everyone is invited to watch the live video webcast of the chiefs' meeting and presentations by visiting http://www.nodin.on.ca/webcast.htm during the following time slots:

• Wednesday November 29 - 11:15am - 12 Noon
• Wednesday November 29 - 1pm - 4:30pm
• Thursday November 30 - 9:30am - 12:30pm

If the video does not display on your window you will need to download a codex onto your computer that supports the display of the live video stream. The codex can be downloaded to your computer by clicking on http://webcast.knet.ca/VCGSUSetup.exe

Press release ...

Isuma to Extend Indigenous Film Distribution in Canada and Worldwide  INDIGENOUS FILM NETWORK LAUNCHES NOVEMBER 22

Isuma Distribution International (IDI) announces the launch this month of Indigenous Film Network (IFN), a $900,000 initiative to expand feature film distribution to 200 remote Inuit, Métis and First Nations communities across northern Canada.

Using portable high-definition projectors for screenings in community halls and school gymnasiums, IFN hopes to achieve 50,000 admissions by May 2007, with a gross theatrical box office value of $500,000.

In its second phase starting 2007-08, IFN will install projectors in selected communities and deliver films regularly by internet video downloads. IFN will harness emerging technology to establish a permanent indigenous film sector in some of the world's most under-served regions.

Telefilm Canada has committed $250,000 to the initiative as a recoupable marketing advance from its Alternative Distribution Fund. Other sponsors include Makivik Corporation, Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution, Kivalliq Inuit Association, Canada Council, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, First Air, Air Inuit, Wasaya Airways and Air Creebec.

Indigenous Film Network kicks off November 22 in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, with a screening of Igloolik Isuma Productions' The Journals of Knud Rasmussen, followed in the next two weeks by screenings in Pikangikum, Deer Lake and North  Spirit Lake, Ontario, and in Kuujuaq, Nunavik, in northern Quebec.

The Journals of Knud Rasmussen is the second Inuit-language feature film by Zacharias Kunuk and the same team that made Atanarjuat The Fast Runner, winner of the 2001 Camera d'or at Cannes and Best Picture Genie in 2002.

The Journals was Opening Night Film at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival, the Atlantic, Calgary, Edmonton and Scottsdale (Arizona) film festivals, and invited to New York, London, Flanders, Copenhagen, Rotterdam and Vienna film festivals, among others. Released in Canada by Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution and Film Circuit, and in Denmark by SF Films, The Journals recently was named Best Feature Film at the 2006 imagineNATIVE Film Festival in Toronto, and Best Director at the 2006 American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco.

However, 80% of Inuit, Métis and First Nations Canadians, the principal target audience for The Journals, live in remote northern communities without 35mm theatres and have been unable to see the film.

Rankin Inlet, on the west coast of Hudson Bay, is Nunavut's second-largest community and the home of Kivalliq Inuit Association, the first Nunavut political agency to contribute to this project.

KIA's Social Development Coordinator, Bernadette Dean, will co-host the premiere screening in Rankin  Inlet with The Journals' director, Zacharias Kunuk, and lead actor, Pakak Inuksuk,

Kuujuaq is capital of Nunavik, northern Quebec, and headquarters of Makivik Corporation, owner of First Air and Air Inuit, one of IFN's leading sponsors. First Air and Air Inuit also support Before Tomorrow, Igloolik Isuma Productions' first feature produced in Inuit Quebec, currently shooting in Povungnituk.

Pikangikum is an Ojibway community in northwestern Ontario whose unhealthy water, housing and sanitation conditions were exposed in a series of articles November 7-8 by The Globe and Mail. As one of Canada's 'forgotten' aboriginal communities, Pikangikum needs more than a movie to improve its quality of life. However, by screening a film expressing solidarity and understanding, IFN makes a statement of hope for people feeling otherwise abandoned.

Isuma Distribution International is the first distributor to address regional and racial inequalities in the film system's failure to serve remote northern and other indigenous audiences. Enlarging the Canadian box office also makes the film system more equitable for indigenous filmmakers competing for national production financing awarded by audience approval and box office success.  Along with film screenings, Indigenous Film Network will deliver workshops for youth and emerging filmmakers in each community.

IDI President Norman Cohn commented: "Third World conditions in health, unemployment and living conditions in Aboriginal communities are the largest HUMAN RIGHTS problem facing progressive First World countries like Canada and Denmark. Full participation by indigenous people in film and media systems can provide clearer insights into these problems and lead to practical contemporary solutions to many of them."

Bernadette Dean, Social Development Coordinator for Kivalliq Inuit Association, added: "When the U.N. approved the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples this year, only two states voted against it: Canada and Russia. Now our new government has cancelled its $172 million commitment to the Aboriginal Culture and Language Initiative, promised as part of the residential schools legal settlement. Assimilation and destruction of Aboriginal culture and language remain policies of the Canadian government into the 21st century."

Adds Zacharias Kunuk, co-director of The Journals of Knud Rasmussen, "Our film is not about the past, it's about what's happening today. How did we get into this mess in the first place and how can we ever get out of it? All indigenous people have a right to see this film to help figure out what to do about it."

For more information, contact: Lucius Barre, Isuma Distribution International, +1.917.353-2268, lucius@rcn.com, cohn@isuma.ca, JacquieC@isuma.ca, zkunuk@isuma.ca Or go to www.isuma.ca

Click here to read the CBC coverage of this story 

Platinex press release ...

Platinex Announces Big Trout Lake Chromium-PGE Deposits Results

TORONTO, Nov. 28 - Platinex Inc. - (TSX-V PTX) has filed a qualifying report, setting out a preliminary size estimate and related market parameters of a chromium-PGE deposit underlying its Big Trout Lake property. The property comprises 221 claims and 81 mining leases acquired earlier this year from an INCO joint venture.

Commenting on the report, Mr. James R. Trusler, President and CEO of Platinex stated, "Platinex has now compiled results of previous drilling on its expanded property. I believe that the Big Trout Lake deposit will ultimately be proven to be among the largest chromium deposits in the world. Despite its isolation, the size of this deposit combined with the expanding demand for stainless steel may enable the establishment a market foothold. Further, the market studies indicate that the chromium appears compatible or in need of minor upgrading to meet market specifications. The PGE content is an added sweetener which may impact deposit economics significantly. Zones One and Two which have both been correlated for some 13 kilometres contain some significant PGE intersections."

The Big Trout Lake Igneous Complex is a classic layered intrusion turned on end so that the layers are nearly vertically dipping. Persistent layering has been documented in some 86 drill holes and outlined in magnetometer surveys and is generally believed to be correlative for the entire 19 km strike length of the property. Volume calculations have been made on four PGE-bearing chromium deposits defined in 29 separate intersections in 15 drill holes. The four layers or zones have a combined composite true width of 40.8 metres. Two of the zones have been correlated for a strike length of 13 km and the other two have been correlated for a strike length of 6 km but are open ended. The deepest intersection is 300 m below surface. All of the data has been obtained from previous drilling by several different companies and joint ventures (the Canadian Nickel Company (Canico), Canadian Occidental Petroleum, Platinum Exploration Canada Inc., International Platinum Corporation and Degussa). Platinex has relied on qualified persons currently and in the past who have had involvement in all of the previous programs carried out in the 1970's and 1980's. Most of the details of the chromium data and the scope of the deposits have never before been subject to public release.

Due to the fact that the Canico assay data cannot be absolutely confirmed at this time and the large 3 km spacing between drill fences it is deemed non-NI-43-101 compliant. Resources and reserves cannot be stated using old data unless it can be adequately verified and demonstrated to be representative. However, based on the interpolation between drill hole intersects and extensions 50 m up and down dip from intersections, a conceptual model has been built containing 140 million tonnes grading 8.4% Cr2O3 and a yet to be determined amount of PGE as a minimum tonnage. Further, based on a composite true width of 40.8 m, a strike length of 12 km and a projected depth of 1,000 m, a conceptual model has been derived containing 1.68 billion tonnes of chromium-PGE mineralization as a maximum tonnage. The anticipated upper and lower limits on grades are 3.47% to 21.78% Cr2O3 for both the lower and the greater conceptual tonnage. There is no assurance that further drilling will confirm these grades and tonnages or the conceptual models or define a reserve or resource.

The Cr/Fe ratio of the chromite mineralization ranges from 0.8 to 1.4 and averages 1.0. A recent preliminary market study conducted for Platinex through Burnside Engineering has determined that current and projected demand for chromium for use in stainless steel is strong and deposits with Cr/Fe ratios approaching 1.2 are being utilized. Further, it is Burnside's opinion that the Big Trout Lake chromium mineralization could be upgraded to meet specifications and that this is probably the first time ever that the Big Trout Lake deposits could potentially meet technical specifications.

Canico performed very few platinum and palladium assays but recorded values of up to 5.0 grams per tonne of Pt and Pd combined over 0.4 m within an interval running 1.3 g/t over 4.3 m in the Zone 2 Chromitite. In the correlative zone underlying the claims south of the former Canico property the combined Pt plus Pt values are 8.4 g/t over 2.3 m within a 3.3 m section grading 28.54% Cr(2)O(3). A total of 310 core samples, most of which were collected within and marginal to the chromitites, returned combined Pt and Pd assays greater than 1 g/t. The report also proposes a $2.3 million first phase 24 hole, 7,225 m drilling program, metallurgical studies on chromium-PGE beneficiation and logging with systematic PGE assaying of some 5,000 m of core previously drilled and obtained earlier this year from the INCO joint venture.

Trusler added, "Nonetheless, beyond the drilling stage several hurdles remain for this potential multibillion dollar mega-project, including establishing transportation, an inexpensive energy source and a trained labour force.

"One of the key elements required to succeed is obtaining the cooperation of the local First Nations communities who stand to benefit substantially in many ways if this property is able to take advantage of a window of economic opportunity to proceed to the development stage" stressed Trusler.

In that respect Platinex, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug "KI", the closest First Nations community, and the Ontario government are to appear before Ontario Superior Court Justice Smith on January 5, 2007, to provide a progress report of the court mandated consultation. Since Justice Smith's decision was published in July, several drafts of a consultation protocol have been prepared among the three parties. As of September Platinex has been willing to execute each version but (as indicated in a release last week by KI) the consultation has been sidelined by apparently faltering talks between KI and Ontario (just at the point of closure) from which Platinex has been excluded. Platinex still remains hopeful that the Ontario government will succeed in reconciling the rights of industry with those of First Nations, and thereby discharge the Crown's duty of meaningful consultation, as repeatedly called for by the Supreme Court of Canada in recent decisions.

For the purposes of this release Mr. J. R. Walls of Burnside Engineering is the qualified person.

About Platinex Inc.

Platinex is a Canadian exploration company based near Toronto. Platinex focuses on carefully selected Platinum Group Element targets in settings analogous to the JM reef (Stillwater Complex, Montana) and the Merensky and UG2 reefs (Bushveld Complex, RSA). Shares of Platinex became listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on November 4, 2005, under the symbol PTX. Platinex has 14,271,173 common shares issued and outstanding.

To receive Company press releases, please email alison@chfir.com. and mention "Platinex" on the subject line.

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

For further information: please visit www.platinex.com or contact: Platinex Inc., James R. Trusler, President & CEO, Tel: (905) 727-9046, Email: jim@platinex.com;. CHF Investor Relations, Cathy Hume, CEO, Tel: (416) 868-1079 ext. 231, Email: cathy@chfir.com.

Assembly of First Nations press release ...

Assembly of First Nations Expresses Disappointment and Concern Regarding the Vote to Delay Consideration of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

OTTAWA, Nov. 28 - Earlier today a motion was passed in Third Committee to delay consideration of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, at the UN today.

"First Nations are deeply disappointed and seriously concerned about the potential impact of today's vote at the United Nations affecting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples", said National Chief Phil Fontaine. "First Nations, and Indigenous peoples, expect that regardless of the outcome of the vote today, we will continue to assert indigenous rights to have full participation in any future discussions affecting the UN Declaration.

"We are outraged by today's developments in the 3rd committee of the United Nations - the human rights of Indigenous Peoples have been sidelined," said Grand Chief Ed John, who is in New York representing the AFN. "This no-action motion was engineered through the political maneuvering of the African Union, aided by Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand. Canada should be called upon to account for its role in this action, particularly as a member of the Human Rights Council." "This vote is a huge insult to the Human Rights Council, and it undermines the credibility of the new body," added AFN Regional Chief Rick Simon, who is also in New York. "This important human rights instrument has become victim to geo-political pressures wherein powerful first world actors including Canada have used undeveloped Nations to thwart the advancement of human rights for indigenous peoples worldwide."

Canada, in campaigning to become a member of the UN Human Rights Council, pledged to support human rights for all. Canada failed to live up to its promises and responsibilities by actively lobbying other countries to stop the Declaration from becoming a UN instrument to address indigenous poverty, ill-health, despair and hopelessness.

The conduct of all the members of the Human Rights Council are subject to review to ensure they live up to their pledges and responsibilities. Canada's conduct as a member of the Human Rights Council should be reviewed as a result of its blatant discrimination against indigenous peoples.

"It is a double standard for Prime Minister Harper and his government to champion the rights of a segment of the Canadian population through the motion the recognition of the Quebecois as a nation within Canada and then actively oppose and manipulate other countries to oppose indigenous peoples rights including those of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada," said National Chief Fontaine.

AFN delegates are meeting with other Indigenous representatives in New York to discuss the implications of the vote, the position of Indigenous Peoples worldwide, and the potential next steps.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

For further information: Bryan Hendry, A/Director of Communications, (613) 241-6789, ext. 229, Cell: (613) 293-6106, bhendry@afn.ca.

Want to add some creative sound effects to your next drama production in your classroom? Do you want to make music using different materials that you can find around your community?

On Saturday Nov 25, members of the K-Net team hosted a video conference introduction to another online teaching resource called the Sonic Playground - http://sonicplayground.ca. The professional development session is intended to be the first in a series of education program strategies that can be supported in classrooms across the province.

The session was hosted by Lyle Johnson (K-Net, Sioux Lookout) and Terry Moreau (Youth IT worker at KORI in Thunder Bay). A group of education professionals from the Martin McKay School in Sachigo Lake participated in this initial information session. Two of the members of Sonic Playground, Barbara  Bryce, and Leslie Wyber introduced their program.

They presented strategies for identifying methods of using everyday items to create musical instruments that can be used to make sound effects for story telling and musical productions.

The team at Sonic Playground are interested in putting together a full program for delivery to First Nation Schools across the province via video conferencing technology with participation from several remote locations.

This initial one hour information session was webcast and archived making it available for online viewing at http://streaming.knet.ca/events/Sonic_Playground_300k.wmv (Windows Media).

For more information about this valuable classroom resource, visit the Sonic Playground web site at http://sonicplayground.ca

Ontario government press release ...

McGuinty Government Helping People Access Apprenticeship - Pre-Apprenticeship Training Opens Doors To The Skilled Trades

OAKVILLE, ON, Nov. 27 - The McGuinty government is creating close to 800 pre-apprenticeship spaces across Ontario to help people qualify for skilled trades training, Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced today.

"Our government knows that many Ontarians need help to access opportunity," Bentley said. "Pre-apprenticeships open doors for people who want to learn a skilled trade, providing them with skills that can lead to a well-paying, fulfilling career."

Pre-apprenticeship training helps people develop the technical, academic and employment skills they need to succeed in an apprenticeship for a skilled trade. Pre-apprenticeship projects, which include a minimum eight-week work placement, can run for up to 40 weeks.

This year, Ontario is investing more than $7.6 million in 37 new projects that will prepare people who want to become apprentices for training in specific skilled trades. Included are projects for youth, Aboriginal peoples, women and groups traditionally under-represented in apprenticeship programs.

Bentley was joined for today's announcement by Kevin Flynn, MPP Oakville, at Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning where 25 early high-school leavers will receive pre-apprenticeship training in the Industrial Mechanic Millwright trade. The government will provide Sheridan with $257,000 for the project, offered in partnership with the Halton Industry Council, Job Connect and the Peel Halton Dufferin Training Board.

"I am extremely pleased that additional resources are being made available to Sheridan College here in Oakville," said Flynn. "Pre-apprenticeship programs create real opportunities for individuals, and ensure we will have a labour force able to meet the growing demand for skilled workers."

The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program is helping the government meet its commitment to raise the number of annual apprenticeship registrations to 26,000 in 2007-08.

"Through increased investment from the province, as well as innovative partnerships at the local community level, Sheridan will continue to fulfill our role as an economic development catalyst," said Dr. Robert Turner, Sheridan President and CEO.

Pre-apprenticeship training can be accessed through Employment Ontario, Ontario's training and employment network. Employment Ontario provides integrated training, apprenticeship and labour market services, bringing together about 470 service providers in almost 900 locations funded by the Ontario government.

Information about Employment Ontario services in communities across the province are available online at www.ontario.ca/employmentontario, or by calling 1-800-387-5656.

The government is also working on other initiatives to provide opportunities for Ontarians, including:

- Investing $6.2 billion more in postsecondary education and training by 2009-10 - the most significant multi-year investment in Ontario's higher education system in 40 years

• Investing approximately $100 million annually in Employment Ontario's apprenticeship related programs
• Investing $127 million this year in Employment Ontario's Job Connect services to link employers with both youth and adults, including three new centres with a special focus on helping newcomers.

"By providing more people with a chance to develop the skills needed in today's economy, everyone in Ontario benefits," said Bentley. "Through pre-apprenticeship training, we're helping people take another step toward reaching their potential."

www.edu.gov.on.ca
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca

Backgrounder
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THE PRE-APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM

Pre-apprenticeship helps people who want a career in a specific skilled trade by providing the technical training necessary to enter an apprenticeship in that trade. Pre-apprenticeship programs can last up to 40 weeks and include an eight-week work placement to give each participant real work experience.

Many projects offer participants the opportunity to upgrade their academic skills to meet the academic requirements for the trade in which they are training. Participation in the program is free.

This year, the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program will provide opportunities for 773 people to strengthen their skills and become eligible for an apprenticeship in a specific skilled trade. The government is investing more than $7.6 million in the program to support 37 projects in 19 trades.

The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program is part of Employment Ontario, the province's integrated training and employment network. Employment Ontario provides seamless, coordinated training, apprenticeship and labour market services, bringing together about 470 service providers in almost 900 locations funded by the government of Ontario.

People interested in participating in the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program should call the Employment Ontario Hotline at 1-800-387-5656, or 416-326-5656 in the Toronto area, for details about individual projects.

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Skilled trade Funding Amount for 2006-07
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Automotive Service Technician $801,936
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Brick and Stone Mason $164,235
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Construction and Maintenance Electrician $472,743
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Construction Craft Worker $290,874
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Cook - Assistant Branch 1 $1,002,960
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Cook - Branch 2 $467,559
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Early Childhood Educator $165,969
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General Carpenter $1,230,614
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General Machinist/Industrial Mechanic Millwright $170,730
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Glazier/Metal Mechanic $431,562
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Hairstylist $201,413
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Heavy Equipment Operator $157,959
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Horticultural Technician $150,000
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Industrial Mechanic Millwright $257,000
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Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic $233,983
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Truck and Coach Technician $1,035,458
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Welder $145,347
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Welder and Metal Fabricator $248,816
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TOTAL $7,629,158
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www.edu.gov.on.ca
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca

For further information: Sheamus Murphy, Minister's Office, (416) 325-7215; Tanya Blazina, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2746; Public Inquiries: (416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514, TTY: 1-800-263-2892

Manitoba government press release ...

Grand Relations Strategy To Support Positive Family Relation With Grandparents, Extended Family

Enhanced Services Strengthen Alternatives to Court: Mackintosh - November 27, 2006

Grandparents and extended family members will have better options and more help to resolve access and guardianship disputes, Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.

“Grandparents, parents and others have told us that we must provide better ways to solve disputes without the financial and emotional burden of contested court hearings and we are responding,” said Mackintosh.

“These initiatives recognize that a child can benefit from a healthy relationship with a grandparent,” said Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross. “We need to support loving relationships between children and their extended families including elders.”

The reforms continue to ensure the child’s best interests remain the overriding consideration in resolving family access disputes while ensuring children’s parents - who have primary responsibility for their well-being - have a voice in proceedings that affect their children, said Mackintosh.

Called Grand Relations, the five-point plan includes:

• Providing a grandparent advisor immediately to help families find the best solutions and services when grandchild access and guardianship is in dispute. The grandparent advisor is available toll-free at 1-800-282-8069, ext. 7236.
• Providing new leading-edge alternatives to court:
  • Piloting First Choice, a new dispute resolution service, as of April 1, 2007, to resolve custody and access-related disputes without a contested court hearing. A Canadian first, this initiative combines mediation and evaluation by using the early attention of a professional two-person team that advises on the likely outcome of a family assessment report in addition to mediating a settlement of outstanding issues.
  • Mandating For the Sake of the Children, the education program for parties to a family dispute where the care of and access to children is in dispute, and enhancing the component of the program relating to the importance of positive grandparent and extended family relations.
  • Developing an Aboriginal model of dispute resolution such as healing circles for out-of-court settlements.
• Proposing legislative changes in the Grandparent Access and Other Amendments Act to:
  • strengthen the recognition in law of grandparents by requiring courts to consider that “a child can benefit from a positive, nurturing relationship with a grandparent” when making an order regarding grandparent access to a grandchild;
  • better facilitate grandparent and other family access by providing, not just an all-or-nothing approach, but also creative solutions for courts, lawyers and families such as certain times for visits, attending activities, sharing gifts and communication, sharing photos and other information;
  • allow courts to adjust orders as a relationship evolves; and
  • allow orders to be made more quickly where appropriate.
• Creating a provincewide education campaign about options to resolve family access disputes that recognizes that children can have many important family relationships.
• Creating a grandparent fostering outreach program, particularly in Aboriginal communities, to alert grandparents to the benefits of becoming foster parents with compensation and supports.

“Grand Relations will help maintain children’s positive relationships with grandparents and others. It builds on Manitoba’s strong government and court initiatives that resolve most family conflicts without an adversarial hearing in court,” said Andrew Swan, MLA, Minto, who led consultations and the development of the reform package.

The province will invest up to $600,000 on a full-year basis including the addition of seven new staff for Grand Relations.

More information is available at http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childfam/grandparents_access.html.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION (Word Doc)