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Ministry of Northern Development and Mines News Release ...

Ontario Supports Development Of Aboriginal Training Centre - New Facility Would Help Prepare Young People For Forestry Sector Jobs

September 05, 2007

SUDBURY – The McGuinty government is promoting career development among Aboriginal youth in Northwestern Ontario by investing in a training centre at Pikangikum First Nation, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced today.

“Our government is committed to fostering new economic development opportunities in small communities across Northern Ontario,” said Bartolucci, who also chairs the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC). “This NOHFC investment will help the Pikangikum First Nation pursue partnerships that would support the establishment of a new forestry training facility for young people in the region.”

The NOHFC is providing $48,550 to Pikangikum First Nation for the next phase of its Whitefeather Forest Teaching and Training Centre project, which includes securing partnership arrangements and completing an implementation plan to support the launch of a new forestry training facility for Aboriginal youth. The Pikangikum First Nation is working with the Ontario government to obtain commercial forestry tenure and stewardship responsibilities on a portion of the community’s traditional land use area known as the Whitefeather Forest. The establishment of a training centre would prepare young people for new employment opportunities in forestry sector and value-added manufacturing jobs.

“Our government is committed to building strong partnerships with First Nation communities in the province’s Far North,” said David Ramsay, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. “The development of a new training centre would prepare local youth for new jobs in their region and enhance the community’s efforts toward self-sufficiency.”

Other McGuinty government initiatives in support of northern prosperity include:

• Investing more than $13.8 million to date, from the NOHFC, to provide internships and work placements to help some 730 young northerners launch their careers in the North
• Investing nearly $640,000 in a mining training program for Aboriginal youth in Northwestern Ontario
• Refocusing the NOHFC’s Emerging Technology Program to help bring broadband Internet to most of the North within three years and continue with cellular service expansion.

These initiatives are part of the government’s Northern Prosperity Plan for building stronger northern communities. The Northern Prosperity Plan has four pillars: Strengthening the North and its Communities; Listening to and Serving Northerners Better; Competing Globally; and Providing Opportunities for All.

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Contacts:

Michel Lavoie
MNDM/NOHFC – Sudbury
(705) 564-7125