Media.Knet.Ca

See the Press Releases issued by AFN and NAN below for their reaction to this federal budget along with CBC North news article about the new Conservative government's first budget. News coverage is describing this budget as the Conservative's attempt to get re-elected in a majority government by trying to attract urban voters through tax credits and reducing GST by 1 percent. 

The Budget Speech 2006 - Focussing on Priorities - Excerpts for Aboriginal Canadians

Mr. Speaker, people from many nations have built a good life in this country and contributed to its strength. But our First Nations, the first people to live here, face special challenges.  We must support our Canadian Aboriginal communities in addressing their particular needs.

• We are providing $450 million for improving water supply and housing on reserve, education outcomes, and socio-economic conditions for Aboriginal women, children and families.
• We are confirming up to $300 million to the provinces to address immediate pressures in off-reserve Aboriginal housing.
• We are setting aside funds to meet the Government’s obligations associated with the legacy of residential schools.

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ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS FEDERAL BUDGET REACTION 2006

Assembly of First Nations Statement on the 2006 Federal Budget - First Nations Sacrificed to Build a Better Canada

     OTTAWA, May 2 /CNW Telbec/ - "First Nations will remain in last place as a result of today's so-called "Building a Better Canada" federal budget. This disappointing budget does not begin to address the gap in quality of life between First Nations and other Canadians and could increase the gap through inaction.

     The Canadian public may see a $3.2 billion figure dedicated for Aboriginals in the 2006 budget, but $2.2 billion was already set aside last November as compensation for residential schools survivors. We welcome the money for survivors, but it was a measure to provide redress and acknowledge liability, not a new measure to build a better Canada for First Nations.

     The money allocated to address the critical socio-economic and infrastructure gaps faced by First Nations is more realistically described as a portion of the two-year, $450 million funding commitment that has been earmarked for "Aboriginal Canadians". That money is a drop in the bucket when compared to the $17 billion surplus, and is only a third of the money that had been allocated to improving quality of life for First Nations and other Aboriginal Canadians under the corresponding first two years of the Kelowna targets.

     The government committed in this budget to measures that will correct fiscal imbalances at the provincial and territorial level. Nowhere is fiscal imbalance more apparent than in the critical under-funding of First Nations health, education, housing and infrastructure, yet today's budget perpetuates the imbalance for our communities.

     There is a critical need to address First Nations health, social and childhood development issues, yet First Nations are excluded from the government's new comprehensive plan on wait time guarantees. This budget committed to a 6% escalator in health for provinces and territories, but despite previous announcements, there was no corresponding escalator for First Nations health. There is no First Nations-specific component in the government's child care plan and, while over $300 million was committed to addressing diseases like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in developing countries, there was no funding to address rising tuberculosis and HIV infection rates for First Nations.

     This government stated today that they will consult with provinces, territories and Aboriginal leaders to "develop a new approach". The approaches developed in Kelowna were developed with and supported by Aboriginal leaders, provinces and territories. These were not commitments from a particular party, but by the federal and all provincial and territorial governments. The Minister of Indian Affairs, Jim Prentice, has stated publicly that he was committed to "putting the wheels on Kelowna". Why is it now necessary to reinvent the wheel?

     This government has consistently stated that they are willing to discuss Kelowna targets. We are more than willing to meet to discuss implementing measures that will improve quality of life for First Nations, but this budget does not appear to offer much."

Phil Fontaine
National Chief
Assembly of First Nations

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

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/For further information: Don Kelly, AFN Communications, Director, (613) 241-6789 ext. 320, cell: (613) 292-2787; Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer, (613) 241-6789 ext. 336, cell: (613) 859-4335/

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NISHNAWBE ASKI NATION FEDERAL BUDGET REACTION 2006

NAN Grand Chief disappointed with fraction of FMM commitments in budget

     THUNDER BAY, ON, May 2 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy is disappointed only a fraction of the priorities addressed by the former Liberal government at the First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal Issues was part of the 2006 federal budget announced by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in the House of Commons this afternoon.

     "It's good to see the Harper Government recognize the need for resources to upgrade water, housing, and social services both on and off-reserve, especially considering the ongoing challenges of many of the communities across Nishnawbe Aski territory, including the second evacuation of Kashechewan in less than one year," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy who represents 49 First Nation communities across Ontario.

     "It remains disappointing, however, that other priorities identified at the November 2005 First Ministers Meeting, such as health and economic opportunities continue to be neglected."

     As announced in Budget 2006, the Conservatives are committing $450 million to improve water supply and housing on reserve, education outcomes, and socio-economic conditions for Aboriginal women, children and families, $300 million to provinces to address immediate pressures in off-reserve Aboriginal housing, and funds to meet governmental obligations associated with the legacy of residential schools - a fraction of what was announced by the former federal government last November.

     The First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal Issues, which took place in Kelowna, B.C. November 2005, had former Prime Minister Paul Martin's Liberal government announcing contributions of more than $5 billion over the next five years to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians in the areas of education, health, housing, and economic opportunities.

     "If significant steps and strategies for implementation are not taken today to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians, there will be continued hardship in taking responsibility for ourselves in terms of decreasing the burden currently posed on all of Canada," said Beardy. "In order to take responsibility for ourselves we need economic development and business opportunities, particularly in terms of skill development and partnerships with industry."

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/For further information: Jenna Young, Director of Communications, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4952 OR (807) 628-3953 (mobile)/

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from

Tory budget kills Kelowna deal  May 2 2006 - CBC News

The Kelowna Accord– an agreement to raise aboriginal health, education and housing standards – has been killed in the new Conservative government's first budget.

Finance Minister Jim Flatherty told the House of Commons on Tuesday that the Tories want to meet the targets of the agreement made last November… but estimates show it plans to spend far less money than was promised under the former Liberal government.

The accord set aside $5.1 billion to raise aboriginal living standards.

Instead, Flaherty promised to spend $150 million this year and $300 million next year for vaguely defined efforts to improve education programs, provide clean water, repair crumbling housing stocks and close "the socio-economic gap."

But the budget states the new government is still committed to meeting the targets agreed upon at the Kelowna meeting of native leaders and politicians last November.

"The government will work with aboriginal leaders, and provinces and territories to develop a new approach with workable solutions," the budget says.

Other northern spending– or not

 
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tables the Budget in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. (Tom Hanson/ Canadian Press)
 
There's some new support to ease housing pressure in the North. Flaherty confirmed up to $300 million will be spent over the next three years for affordable housing in the three territories. That money will be used to buy more affordable housing, including rental units and transitional homes.

Programs to improve off-reserve housing in the provinces will also get a $300-million boost.

There was also no mention of spending for a new military base in the Arctic. While on the campaign trail, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper surprised many observers when he promised to build a new military base in the Arctic to watch for signs that other nations were encroaching on Canada's sovereignty in the North.

Although the budget includes increased funding for the military, amounting to $1.1 billion this fiscal year, no specific mention was made of the new northern base.

One commitment the government did keep from previous Liberal promises was for a $500-million socio-economic fund for the Northwest Territories. The money is to be used over the next 10 years to help communities along the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project path address problems caused by the megaproject.

However, "[f]unding will be linked to project milestones and is conditional on the project moving forward," budget documents warn.

Ottawa spent $9.1 billion last year for education, social services, health and housing programs for aboriginal people, many of whom are owed the support under historic, mutually agreed upon treaties.

Opposition critics and most native leaders urged the Conservatives to honour the Kelowna deal. Crafted after 18 months of talks, it included a 19-page plan of targets and reporting requirements.

There have long been hints that the Tories would scrap it.

Conservative MP Monte Solberg, now immigration minister, was most blunt last January when he accused the Liberals of drafting the deal "on the back of a napkin on the eve of an election. We're not going to honour that."

Fulfilling campaign promises

The Conservative government used its first budget to follow through on several campaign promises, with initiatives that include reducing the GST and bringing in its monthly child-care allowance.

INDEPTH: Federal budget 2006

"For years, Ottawa has been overtaxing Canadians," Flaherty said in the advance copy of his speech to the House of Commons. "In this budget, we deliver real tax relief for Canadians."

The Conservatives said they will cut the GST by one percentage point to six per cent on July 1. The move is expected to cost the government $3.52 billion this year and $5.17 billion in 2007.

The government didn't specify when it would cut the rate to five per cent, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised during the last election campaign.

Income tax measures both remove and add some relief.

The tax rate on the lowest tax bracket will go to 15.5 per cent on July 1, after the Liberals cut it from 16 per cent to 15 per cent in their fiscal update in November.

At the same time, the government is introducing a new Canada employment benefit that will offer working people a $250 tax credit for 2006 to cover work-related expenses, such as home computers, uniforms and supplies. The credit rises to $1,000 for the 2007 tax year.

Child-care money

The government also followed through on another of its five promises by introducing a $1,200-a-year child-care benefit for all children under the age of six.

The government said it will spend $3.7 billion on the program, starting when the first monthly cheques are mailed in July. The payments will continue until the month in which the child turns six.

"While the universal child-care benefit will support child-care choices by families, we also intend to invest in creating new child-care spaces," Flaherty said in his prepared remarks.

He said the budget includes $250 million, beginning next year, to create child-care spaces.

More cash for the military

Canada's military will see its budget increased by $5.3 billion over the next five years, including money to speed up recruitment of 13,000 regular armed forces and 10,000 more reservists.

The extra money for the armed forces will also go toward new equipment, such as transport planes to replace the country's fleet of aging C-130 Hercules planes.

In keeping with the government's stated focus on security, the budget also includes $303 million over two years for border security and $161 million over two years to expand the number of RCMP officers and hire additional federal prosecutors.

Business tax cuts

Flaherty said the Conservatives will retroactively eliminate the federal capital tax as of Jan. 1, 2006. The tax, which is charged at 0.125 per cent on taxable capital in excess of $50 million, was originally slated to be phased out in 2008.

In order to encourage Canadian companies to hire apprentices, the government is also introducing a non-refundable tax credit equal to up to 10 per cent of the wages paid to qualified workers. The credit will have a maximum of $2,000 per year.

Flaherty said the government will try to curb its expenses by cutting some programs deemed to no longer be serving their purpose.

Flaherty said the Treasury Board will aim to find $1 billion in savings for 2006-07 and 2007-08. Details about the cuts, which could affect department and agency employees and the programs they offer, are expected by the autumn.

After putting aside $3 billion in both this year and next for debt reduction, the government said it expects a surplus of roughly $600,000 for the current year and $1.4 billion the following year.

KO Telehealth, KO Mental Health, and The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health have provided to students, a First Nations adapted video-conference and on-line computer course titled, “Fundamentals of Mental Health”. Students have participated from the communities of Nibinamik, Bearskin Lake, Muskrat Dam, Keewaywin, Fort Severn, North Spirit Lake, Deer Lake and Poplar Hill. The following modules were covered:

Module 1 – Orientation
Module 2 – Introduction to Physical and Mental Health
Module 3 – Health Promotion
Module 4 – Assessment
Module 5 – Mood Disorders
Module 6 – Anxiety Disorders
Module 7 – Schizophrenia
Module 8 – Course Summary

Students expressed their appreciation for this community-based learning approach and wish to continue with future training opportunities. Instructor Mahreen Hassan said it was a pleasure to teach this class. She expressed her appreciation for the student’s participation, sharing their knowledge, and openness to learning.

Cheryl Klassen closed the student recognition video-conference with these words:

“I want to thank you all for trying a new way of learning. Together we have tried and tested these new learning tools and are developing best practice recommendations. More importantly we have learnt the how’s and why’s in addressing a variety of emotional health concerns. We have stretched our way of thinking and as a result this will enhance the health of our communities.”

See attached ceremony pictures from Bearskin Lake as Linda Day, and Wayne Brown receive their Certificates from Band Councillor, George Chapman.

CALL for LETTERS of INTEREST

Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO), the Northern Chiefs Council, is seeking Letters of Interest from experienced consultants to facilitate a community consultation process on how the tribal council can better support and assist the member First Nations communities in Ontario’s far north.

Email Letters of Interest to KORI.

“Saving Lives, Restoring Hope” Suicide Prevention Banner project celebrates community artistry and dedicates banners to continued suicide prevention.

Click here to view pictures of the banners.

The “Saving Lives, Restoring Hope” Banner project built relationships between community youth, elders, and health staff as they planned and painted together.  Art has long been a means of expressing thoughts and feelings.  This project addressed issues of suicide prevention and elimination through artistic expression.  The theme “Saving Lives, Restoring hope” is the ultimate goal.  The project was community-based therefore, the way the project was conducted in each community varied.  Some communities offered prizes, while others had special speakers, rallies, and walks concurrently during the banner painting.  Regional prizes were offered to youth and adults who emailed digital pictures for competition.  See the variety of posters below.  All posters belong to the communities and are a reminder of the goal “Saving Lives, Restoring Hope”.  You may find these banners stitched together in the nursing station, band office, health office, Northern Store or youth centre in your community.  The stitched banners symbolize the bond between all people in the community as they “Save Lives, Restore Hope”.

This has been a collaborative effort.  We thank Nishnawbe Aski Nation for funding the project.  We thank the following donors who have given regional prizes for this project:

KiHS, KO Home & Community Care Program, KO Mental Health  Program, KO Telehealth, KO Tobacco Intervention Program, K-Net - SchoolNet initiative, The Source – Red Lake, Wasaya, Wawatay.

"An Anishinabe prophesied that "In about 30 years, if we humans continue with our negligence, an ounce of drinking water will cost the same as an ounce of gold."

Water is essential to survival and health.

Everything is related to water. This is proportionate to Mother Earth. Our food sources use water to be nutritious. The medicine wheel teachings are about balance in life.

A group of Anishinabe-que and supports have taken action regarding the water issue by walking the perimeter of the Great Lakes with a copper bucket of water.  They walked around Lake Superior in Spring 2003, around Lake Michigan in 2004, and Lake Huron in 2005.  They plan to walk around the remaining great lakes of North America. This walk is to raise awareness how, we, the human beings on this planet need to know, and take care of our precious resource, the water."

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Press Release - Native women and supporters walking around Great Lakes - www.motherearthwaterwalk.com

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON, April 29, 2006 - A determined group of First Nations women and their supporters will embark on a walk around two Great Lakes beginning Saturday. This spring brings a unique finale to the vision of the Mother Earth Water Walk. Lake Erie and Lake Ontario will be circled simultaneously by two groups of Anishinabe Women and Men.

"It's important to bring awareness to people of the state of our water and that we have to do something about it," said Irene Peters, 67, lead Grandmother on the Lake Erie walk.

"Water is precious and sacred. It is one of the basic elements needed for all life to exist," said Grandmother Josephine Mandamin, 63, who will lead the Lake Ontario walk.

The Fourth Annual Mother Earth Water Walk will begin on Saturday, April 29th 2006 at the Niagara Regional Friendship Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake at 10:30 a.m. with a potluck feast. Both groups of Water Walkers will commence their walk after the feast. The Lake Erie Water Walk is expected to be completed in mid-May.

Grandmother Peters, Grandmother Mandamin and a group of women and supporters from the Three Fires Society are calling for action from each community that they pass through on their walk.

"It is important for each community to think of what they can do to protect the water. Each community will come up with their own ideas of how they can keep the water clean," said Grandmother Peters. "It is also a personal responsibility. We have to ask ourselves: How are we using the water? We should not be wasting the water. We should not be putting our garbage in there," said Peters.

It is their collective belief that the prayers offered for the water will make a positive impact for the future, in that our future generations and all of Creation will flourish with clean water. Water is being constantly polluted by chemicals, vehicle emissions, motor boats, sewage disposal, agricultural pollution and leaking landfill sites, and residential usage, exports and diversions are taking a toll on our water quality and quantity. Both Grandmothers hope the Mother Earth Water Walk will instil a positive dialogue among grass-roots citizens as well as government and policy makers.

The Mother Earth Water Walk started during the Spring of 2003 when Grandmother Josephine Mandamin led a group of walkers around Lake Superior. The Mother Earth Water Walk continued a year later around Lake Michigan. Last spring, the group completed a walk around Lake Huron.

The Walkers hope to raise awareness about the state of the Great Lakes water system and the importance of water as a sacred resource that is essential for life. Peters explains the correlation between her Anishinaabe teachings as a woman, the Anishinaabe creation story and the personal responsibility these women are taking.

"We know in Creation, women are given the gift to create and sustain life. We respect our bodies when we are carrying our children by watching what we put in our bodies. Well Mother Earth gives birth to all life and the water is her lifeblood. She needs to be respected also."

"The Water Walk is an opportunity for us to shift our thinking towards respect for life," concluded Mandamin.

The Water Walkers are working diligently to raise funds for this endeavour. Donations can be made directly to the Mother Earth Water Walkers - or - at the Bank of Montreal (Hyde Park & Oxford Street Branch, London, Ontario. Account Name: Irene Peters & R. Mark Bruder) - or - send cheques and money orders to: "Mother Earth Water Walk" 14615 Selton Line, Thamesville, Ontario N0P 2K0.

Interesting facts about the Mother Earth Water Walk:

• In 2005 Grandmother Josephine Mandamin, 63, wore out 6 pairs of shoes.
• The Walkers travel an average of 70 kilometres per day.
• The women carry a large copper bucket (8 litres) of water.
• The men carry a symbolic eagle staff to offer strength to the women.
• The Walkers stop to make an offering of tobacco at many streams, rivers and tributaries along the route.
• The Walkers rise before 5 in the morning, hold a morning ceremony and begin their walk before sunrise.

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For further information: Mark Bruder, Danny Deleary, (519) 615-5451,
Email: lake_erie_2006@hotmail.com,
Website: www.motherearthwaterwalk.com

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Native women and supporters to walk around Great Lakes
www.motherearthwaterwalk.com

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON, April 28, 2006

A determined group of First Nations women and their supporters will embark on a walk around two Great Lakes beginning Saturday.

This spring brings a unique finale to the vision of the Mother Earth Water Walk. Lake Erie and Lake Ontario will be circled simultaneously by two groups of Anishinaabe Women and Men.

WHAT: Launch of the 2006 Mother Earth Water Walk around Lake Ontario and Lake Erie

WHO: Grandmother Josephine Mandamin ("Sweet Corn") Grandmother Irene Peters ("Gram") Anishinaabe-Kwe and Supporters from the Three Fires Society

WHERE: Niagara Regional Native Friendship Centre, 382 Airport Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2006

Grandmother Peters, Grandmother Mandamin and a group of women and supporters from the Three Fires Society will commence their walk after the feast. It is their collective belief that the prayers offered for the water will make a positive impact for the future, in that our future generations and all of Creation will flourish with clean water.

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For further information: Mark Bruder, Danny Deleary, (519) 615-5451,
Email: lake_erie_2006@hotmail.com,
Website: www.motherearthwaterwalk.com

Platinex described by Mining Watch Canada as "a penny stock junior company with no other properties" (Feb 2006 article) is now trying to get the Ontario courts to give it access to Big Trout Lake traditional territories.

From the Ontario Superior Court of Justice order dated April 18, 2006, Platinex Inc. and their lawyers are now suing ... 

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, Donny Morris, Jack McKay, Cecilia Begg, Samuel McKay, John Cutfeet, Evelyn Quequish, Darryl Sainnawap, Enus McKay, Eno Chapman, Randy Nanokeesic, Jane Doe, John Doe and Persons Unknown.

The plaintiff claims the following relief against the defendants, jointly and severally:

• General damages in the amount of $10,000,000,000;
• Special damages in the amount of $1,000,000;
• Punitive damages in the amount of $500,000
• An interim, interlocutory and permanent injunction:
  • enjoining the respondents and any person who has notice of the order from impeding, obstructing or interfering with, directly or indirectly, Platinex's and its officers', employees' consultants', contractors' or agents' access by road or by air or by water to the Platinex camp, drill sites and claims and leases.

The Ontario Health Quality Council (http://www.ohqc.ca) released its first yearly report for 2006. The summary document that is being distributed in newspapers across the province and is available online at http://www.ohqc.ca/en/docs/OHQC_Summary_2006EN.pdf documents two very important findings.

1. "Research suggests some groups, in particular the poor, immigrants, rural residents and aboriginals face greater difficulties in getting care."
2. We believe investing in e-health — using information technology to manage health, arrange, deliver and account for care, and manage the health-care system — will do the most to improve all the attributes of a high-performing health system. E-health includes creating electronic health records for all patients, health-information management systems and telehealth — the use of technology to deliver care at a distance. Better, more widespread and integrated use of technology will mean:

• Improved decisions about care
• More effective diagnosis and treatment
• Fewer medical errors
• Greater patient safety
• Increased efficiency
• Better access to services
• Better research on both care and how to run the system
• Information to support continuous quality improvement

FROM: THE TORONTO STAR NEWSPAPER -  
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1146049088334&call_pageid=968256289824&col=968342212737
 
Aboriginals, Immigrants Lose Out On Health Care, Report Suggests - Apr. 26, 2006 - CANADIAN PRESS

Aboriginals, immigrants and low-income families have less access to health care in Ontario than most other residents, says a report released Wednesday by a new agency established to monitor medicare in the province.

The first report of the Ontario Health Quality Council called it a "disturbing reality" that some Ontario residents aren't getting the health care they need "because of who they are."

Council chairman Ray Hession said the agency is simply reporting the reality of the current situation in Ontario, but has not yet had time to determine the reasons behind the findings.

"The indications that led us to say that are what they are: there is disparity, there is inequity," Hession told a news conference.

"We need to assiduously find the reasons why, particularly in the area (of) the aboriginal community."

The council, an arm's-length agency established last fall by the Liberal government, also found higher-income Ontario residents suffering from chest pains get to hospitals faster than those earning lower incomes, who tend to suffer from more serious ailments.

It said women are 50 per cent more likely than men to get a prescription for a tranquillizer, but women with heart disease are less likely to receive diagnostic tests and surgery.

"I imagine there are attitudinal influences there," Hession said.

Surprisingly, the council found northern Ontario residents have better access to heart procedures, hip and knee replacements and cataract and cancer surgeries than those in the south.

But despite all that care, northerners are less healthy and live shorter lives, the report said.

"The north health network is a superb example of the use of communications and technology to deliver care, remotely," Hession said.

"Ontario probably has the best — if not the most widely used — such facilities, but it still leaves us with degrees of disparity. But it's a whole lot better now than was the case."

Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson said the Liberals would use the data in the council's report to find ways to address the shortcomings in health-care delivery.

"It's helpful for us, because it acts as an opportunity for us as a government to improve the health-care system," he said. "I don't look at it as a negative — I look at it as good information."

NDP Leader Howard Hampton said the Liberal government is to blame for many of the problems uncovered in the report.

"Low-income Ontarians and aboriginal people are paying more for health care through the new McGuinty health tax, and are getting less access to health care," he said. "It just shows some of the fundamental unfairness under the McGuinty government."

Conservative health critic Elizabeth Witmer called the report ``an embarrassment" to the Liberal government.

"It's not showing a lot of improvements in recent years," she said.

The health council also said Ontario and Canada should act much more quickly to establish electronic records for every patient, which it believes are fundamental to measuring the performance of the health-care system.

"That's the No. 1 issue if we're going to see real quality improvement in our health system in this province," Hession said. ``What's taking so long? Why are we so tentative about this?"

The council used a 2004 study to determine there were 32,000 people in Ontario who had what it calls "adverse events" after entering hospitals or long-term care facilities, but complained it couldn't adequately determine the exact nature of those events without electronic patient records.

The report found that only four per cent of Ontario hospitals had dedicated stroke units, which have been proven to reduce deaths and costly stays in hospital, but that information was based on data from 1997. Updated figures on the number of stroke units were not available.

Hession said instead of focusing on waiting lists, governments should address the issue of "appropriate access to appropriate care in an appropriate setting."

He said the waiting lists are a result of health-care cutbacks implemented by the previous Conservative government in the mid-1990s, when the numbers of nurses and doctors were reduced.

Are you a community innovator? Does your community support and encourage innovation?

The following document provides a great resource for community leaders and individuals to review and work through to identify areas of innovation that are happening in your community and across the region. TAKING control and building the type of community where are children and families are able to thrive is what this work is all about ...

from http://www.innovativecommunities.ca

A Framework for Innovative Rural Communities
Supporting an Innovation Culture within Rural & Northern Communities

The Innovative Rural Communities project has been undertaken by a collaborative led by the University of Guelph along with three independent consultants specializing in rural development: M.E. Robertson & Associates, Alpha Projects and C. Lang Consulting.

Northern Distinctions ...

Although the research shows many similarities in terms of the innovation process and the conditions that enable innovation to flourish across rural and northern communities, the unique characteristics and conditions of northern communities warrant special reference.

• Northern communities express an understanding that they are the masters of their own destiny and responsible for the future of their communities. Communities of interest in the north are finding ways to overcome differences to address common community goals. Volunteers are playing a critical role in innovation and are being encouraged and supported. Youth out-migration issues are a priority among northern innovators.
• Northern regions are vast. Innovators in the north are, however, finding ways to work within these large areas to aggregate needs and pool resources. Northern communities are embracing and innovating with new information technologies as a way of overcoming isolation, addressing service provision and access, and providing business links for dispersed populations.
• Community and business representatives are looking at new opportunities associated with legacy industries in the natural resources that build on local knowledge and skills. Collaboratives with community agencies, business, educational and research institutions and governments are making these innovations possible. On the other hand, niche businesses and community-based initiatives are also helping to expand the local economy beyond the traditional resource industries.

Why rural innovation?

Many rural and northern communities today are surviving — not thriving. Yet rural innovators are creating new opportunities and bringing a sense of renewal to their communities and regions. Innovation is alive and well in rural Ontario!

Rurality is key — not a barrier — to these innovations. Innovation is one way to harness rural assets and put them on the path to progressive change. Innovators and their ingenuity have always been important in northern and rural communities. Nurturing this spirit in your communities is what Innovation Pathways is all about.

“Innovation responds to needs and establishes what you do. There is a healthy discontent with the way things are, and innovation addresses this discontent.”
- Rural Innovator

What is innovation?

When you work with these tools, think about innovation in its broadest sense. Innovation is about new products, processes and markets. It’s also about change.

Innovation for what?

Innovation can be for commercial purposes — a new product, service or market. For instance, value-added production of wood or agricultural products is an innovation for commercial purposes.

Innovation can be for community development. For instance, a community might lobby for new broadband services. Or it might start planning how to combine efforts for a new economic or cultural activity.

Innovation can be for environmental or natural resource management. For instance, a community might design new recycling services or form a wind energy co-operative.

Innovation can be for public program or policy. For instance, a community might develop a new land use policy. Or it might create a youth mentorship program.

Looking at your community through the ‘innovation lens’

When you look for innovation in your community, be sure to look for projects that are having different kinds of impacts. You may find creative projects that benefit individuals, organizations or businesses. Innovators in these cases are often overlooked. Think about the potential these projects have for benefiting more people in your community. Try to include everyone whose ‘know-how’ could be an asset in your innovation planning.

And try to include local innovators to look at things through the ‘community lens’. Are they planning a project that might create work? Have they linked up with local training and employment services?

Finally, remember to look at innovations that reach beyond your local community. These may bring in new wealth by making the most of both regional and local assets. Rural innovators need to think globally as well as locally — both to find good ideas and to market their innovations.

The Fifth Healing Our Spirit Worldwide Gathering of Indigenous people from around the world
- Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - August 6 to 11, 2006

Visit http://www.hosw.com for more information.

Be sure to watch the video showing how this international movement and now the fifth gathering began with a vision by respected elder, Maggie Hodgson.

Press Release ... National forum series launched to help employers tap into Aboriginal workforce talent and address Canada's shortage of skilled workers

     SASKATOON, April 27 /CNW/ - Workforce Connex (http://www.workforceconnex.com/english_home.htm), a national forum series to help resolve barriers and open the potential for industry to effectively access, train, recruit and retain an Aboriginal workforce, has launched in Ontario. The national series will host forums in Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Labrador, Quebec and Alberta.

     Through open dialogue, the forums will link the private sector and Aboriginal Employment Centres together to form partnerships that offer resolve to Aboriginal employment training, recruitment and retention issues. "The outcome of the forums will ultimately translate into employment opportunities for Aboriginal people", said Bonnie Vermette, Employment Counselor and member of the Ontario Workforce Connex planning group. "Many regions of Canada are experiencing a shortage of skilled workers. Employers are searching for innovative solutions to address the issue and capture the many opportunities now available to them. Aboriginal people are ready and willing to answer the call to fill the employment gap."

     "Aboriginal people are Canada's fastest growing and largely untapped human resource," said Kelly Lendsay, President and CEO of the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council of Canada (http://www.ahrdcc.com/welcome/welcome_e.htm). Aboriginal people have talent and skills. They are a solution to many of Canada's skill shortages. Almost one in five Aboriginal men aged 25 to 64 with qualifications beyond high school held a trade or college level credential in building and construction technologies or trades. Another 25 per cent were college and trade level graduates of industrial, mechanical or electronic engineering technologies and trades.

     From 1996-2001 the Canadian working age population grew by five per cent, while over the same period, the Aboriginal labour force grew by 25 per cent. This young upwardly mobile labour force needs workplace opportunities for training, skills development and employment. Awakening firms to this win-win opportunity is one of goals of the workforce forums. In a survey conducted by the CanadaWest Foundation, Canadian business and labour leaders said that hiring Aboriginal workers is not considered an important solution to solving their skill needs; only 13 per cent of business leaders and 21 per cent of labour leaders rated this activity very important. "This finding suggests that on a national scale, a disconnect exists between the potential skills contribution made by the Aboriginal workforce and the view held by some business and labour leaders on this contribution. This is the reason for Workforce Connex," said Lendsay.

     At the conclusion of the forum series, the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council and Canada's regional Aboriginal Employment Centres expect that many new regional partnerships will have been established across Canadian due the increased connections, understanding, learning and mutual respect that has been developed through the Workforce Connex series.

     The Council is developing the Workforce Connex forums in partnership with Aboriginal employment centres across the country. These centres, part of a national Aboriginal human resource strategy, can help employers to source Aboriginal talent. The Council is also pleased to be working with the federal department of Human Resource and Social development who have provided funding for this initiative.
 
     The Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council of Canada (http://www.ahrdcc.com/welcome/welcome_e.htm) is a national not-for-profit organization funded by the private and public sectors to create links between Canada's employers and the Aboriginal community. The Council provides leadership on supply and demand issues that address the development of effective training, recruitment and retention strategies for Aboriginal people.

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/For further information: Peggy Berndt, Manager, Communications, Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council of Canada, 1-866-711-5091 (toll-free), (780) 720-1118 (cell), email: peggy.berndt@ahrdcc.com; website: www.workforceconnex.com/