Media.Knet.Ca

Ontario Government Receives I&IT Task Force Report Recommendations That Will Help Ensure Large I&IT Projects Are Well Managed

    TORONTO, July 28 /CNW/ - The report of a special task force on large-scale government information and information technology (I&IT) projects will help ensure future government I&IT initiatives are managed more effectively and efficiently, said Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips after receiving the report today.

"I would like to thank the task force members for the considerable amount of time and energy they put into this initiative," said Phillips. "We very much agree with the overall thrust of the report, and we think it provides an important blueprint for action."

Large-scale I&IT projects are defined as being multi-million dollar in scope that require significant system development and have a major impact on the delivery of government business. The purpose of this report was to provide recommendations to the government that will help ensure the right steps are in place to manage future I&IT initiatives.

The task force was formed last fall and was led by L. Denis Desautels, former auditor general of Canada. Other members of the task force were Carol Stephenson, dean of the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, David Johnston, president of the University of Waterloo and Howard Dickson, Government Chief Information Officer for the Government of Hong Kong, Special Administration Region.

"We agree with the Task Force's overarching recommendation that major business transformations need strong executive leadership and project management," said Phillips. "Our recent appointment of a Deputy Minister responsible for business transformation and public service modernization is an indication of how seriously we take this priority."

The government will study the report and its recommendations in detail and will respond in full in three months. Minister Phillips announced that as an initial and immediate response to the report the government will also:

• Create a portfolio management approach of major I&IT projects currently underway in the government 
• Design and implement a "scorecard" system for all I&IT submissions to Management Board of Cabinet (MBC) to assess risk, business case readiness and alignment with government priorities
• Institute quarterly status reports to MBC on major I&IT projects
• Adopt a "gateway review process" for projects under development to ensure that projects stay on track and do not proceed before they are ready
• Implement a standardized training program for project managers and a standardized project management methodology and require all large I&IT projects to use a consistent methodology
• Ensure that all large I&IT projects undergo a post-mortem within three months of the end of the project. This information will be reported to MBC on a quarterly basis and shared with all project management and OPS leaders.

"Large-scale I&IT projects are complex by their very nature and all organizations face challenges with the management of these projects," said Phillips. "Our goal is to improve our project management capacity so we can receive value for money while providing the best possible services to the people of Ontario."

Report of Ontario's Special Task Force on the Management of Large-Scale Information & Information Technology Projects - PDF

The task force report is available on the Ministry of Government Services' website at www.mgs.gov.on.ca.

from AFN web site ...

AFN National Chief Files Class Action Claim Against the Government of Canada for Residential Schools Policy

OTTAWA, Aug. 3, 2005

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine announced today that he and the AFN are launching a class action lawsuit against the Government of Canada for the residential schools legacy.

The claim, to be filed tomorrow, states that the residential schools policy and schools caused "irreparable harm and damage" to First Nations' "culture, language, way of life, family, community and social structures".

AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine stated: "The AFN, as the national organization representing all First Nations citizens, including survivors and descendants, is uniquely situated to deal with this issue in a way that no other group can. Other residential schools class actions have been certified or are making their way through the courts, but the AFN class provides for a more comprehensive process, as it deals with loss of language and culture and not only specific acts of physical or sexual abuse, and also includes truth and reconciliation mechanisms and other collective remedies that will benefit all First Nations. We want to ensure the Government of Canada provides fair and just resolution for the abuse we endured in the schools and the assault on our cultures that took place under the residential schools policy."

The AFN claim identifies four classes of survivors: First Nations, Survivor, Deceased and Family Class. Phil Fontaine is named as the representative plaintiff for the First Nations Class and Survivor Class.

"Because of our lack of formal legal status, we have only been participating in a consulting capacity in these discussions," stated the National Chief. "However, this matter is far too important for us not to have a full seat at the table that will ensure not only that our voices are heard on an equal basis with all other parties, but that our consent will be required for any agreement that is reached."

"We will continue to work with the federal representative, Mr. Justice Frank Iacobucci, on this important matter and we have the full confidence he is operating in good faith," said National Chief Fontaine. "Our action is not an attempt to impede the process, but rather a means to ensure that we are able to fully participate in the process, more effectively settle this to the benefit of all residential schools survivors and all First Nations citizens affected by the residential schools, and to ensure that all options remain open for them. The Accord has provided a political vehicle to move forward, but a legal vehicle is required to finalize the process with the AFN in a central and representative role, which this action now provides."

Former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci was appointed federal representative under an Accord signed by the AFN and Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan on May 30th. That Accord set up a process in which the federal representative would work with all parties involved in residential schools resolution and litigation to come up with a better process to resolve the legacy of the schools. The federal representative is to provide recommendations to the government on a new approach by or before March 31 of 2006.

"We would rather negotiate than litigate, but we feel compelled to exercise all our options," said National Chief Fontaine. "Each day we lose another survivor. Each day someone passes on without having achieved any sense of justice or healing or redress. Each day, First Nations from all walks of life in all parts of the country deal with the loss of language, cultural breakdown and inter-generational effects of the schools. We want to ensure that Canada and First Nations bring closure to this tragic chapter in our shared history."

There are approximately 87,000 residential schools survivors still alive in Canada. The average age of survivors is 57 years old. The government has an "Alternative Dispute Resolution" process in place, but at the current pace it will take 53 years to settle all claims, at a cost to Canadian taxpayers of $2.3 billion dollars in administrative and legal expenses alone. The AFN has set-out a fair, cost efficient and timely approach to resolve the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools in its November 2004 Report on Canada's Dispute Resolution Plan to Compensate for Abuses in Indian Residential Schools. The report is available on the AFN website.

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

-30-

/For further information: Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director, (613) 241-6789, ext. 320 or cell (613) 292-2787; Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer, (613) 241-6789, ext. 336 or cell (613) 859-4335; Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief, (613) 241-6789, ext. 243 or cell (613) 298-6382/

Click here to Read Turtle Island's coverage of this announcement - Assembly of First Nations Launches $12 Billion Class Action Lawsuit . . .

Click here to read some reactions to this lawsuit from the far north

CWF Pro Wrestling has been added to the list of events for K.I. Homecoming 2005. Times/Dates for shows are ..

August 3/05 at 1pm and August 4/05 at 10am

Fun and enjoyment for the whole family
Aug 3,4,5,6
Featured  entertainment
Supergroups 
Glass Tiger and Trooper

              Relive the thrills and spills of Homecoming 2003

The Schedule for Homecoming 2005 has now been posted
Click the Homecoming link for the Information
Update: July 18/05 see updated travel info on the travel link on Homecoming2005  
visit updates on the feature entertainment link
$50.000.00 Jackpot Bingo Aug 5/05 at 3pm
Truck/Four wheeler Raffle draw  Aug 6/05 at 6pm

visit http://bigtroutlake.firstnation.ca for further updates

The World Summit Youth Award is another opportunity for youth (under 27 years of age) to showcase their on-line productions to the world ...

Do you have a cool emerging project on the web? Are you a young designer, web developer, music producer or artist looking for international exposure? Are you passionate about using technology for social change?

Enter the World Summit Youth Award (WSYA) today and showcase your project to the world!

WSYA is an international competition for youth-led (under 27 years of age) projects that bridge the content gap in the emerging Information Society. It is the first global "youth for youth" initiative; promoting best practice in e-content and technological creativity and demonstrating young people's potential to create digital opportunities.  WSYA is not only a showcase to the world for young designers, technologists and e-content creators, it also contributes on a global scale to reducing poverty, protecting the environment, sharing knowledge and empowering marginalized young people.

The WSYA Categories are Development, Creativity & Culture and Community Engagement and the online application process at www.youthaward.org is open until midnight (GMT) on September 18, 2005. 

WSYA is a joint venture of the World Summit Award (www.wsis-award.org) and the WSIS Youth Caucus (www.wsisyouth.org).

I know many of you have online projects and I encourage you all to apply to the WSYA through our online application form, now available at www.youthaward.org/apply.  Note that only online projects led by youth under 27 years of age are eligible.

We've received many requests for assistance but we ask that only eligible applicants with an online project or website apply.  The applications will close on midnight (GMT), September 18, 2005.

News will be updated at http://www.youthaward.org/wsya/news.htm so stay
tuned.  Please contact me or Thomas (biebl@icnm.net) if you have any questions or want to get involved!

Alex Fielding, Marketing Communications Coordinator
World Summit Youth Award
International Center for New Media
fielding@icnm.net
www.youthaward.org

Community Conversations On-line

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is hosting a Community Conversations On-line survey to hear from charitable and not-for-profit organizations.  This site is part of our outreach process to collect advice about our granting programs. Everyone is invited to:

• express their views about the changing needs of your community;
• tell them how their Foundation can better meet these needs;
• learn about their future directions.

Each year, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, awards $100 million of government funding generated through Ontario’s charity casino initiative to charitable and not-for-profit organizations. The Board of Directors recently undertook a strategic review of the vision and mission of the foundation. Their new vision and mission are now reflected in the Granting Priorities and the Program Guidelines for the foundation’s granting activities. 
 
Through the website survey and our community sessions, Trillium is inviting everyone to give them feedback on how their programs are meeting your community’s needs. You can find out about OTF grants in your area in your community and regional profiles. The results of their outreach will help them further fine tune their programs to continue to strengthen Ontario communities.

You can participate in this process by registering to attend one of the community sessions or by completing their on-line survey.

CANADA'S ABORIGINAL YOUTH
(16 to 18 years of age)
An opportunity to participate in the
ABORIGINAL SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
October 25 to November 5, 2005

Canada's Aboriginal Veterans, in conjunction with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Veterans Affairs Canada, will undertake a special Aboriginal Spiritual Journey to the Battlefields of Europe to call home the Spirits of our fallen Warriors. The Journey will comprise of Second World War Veterans; Aboriginal Traditional Spiritual Leaders; National Aboriginal Leaders; members of the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

A representative group of thirteen Youth will accompany the Official Delegation to Europe. First Nation, Inuit and Métis youth, between 16 and 18 years of age, who are interested in taking part in this special opportunity are requested to submit a written essay of 300 to 500 words in length.

ESSAY QUESTION

Why is it important for Aboriginal youth to remember and honour the sacrifices and achievements of Aboriginal soldiers who served their country during times of war, military conflict and peace?

Deadline for submissions is Monday, August 15, 2005. All entries must be postmarked by that date and sent by mail to:

ABORIGINAL SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Youth Representative Selection Committee
C/O  INDIAN AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS CANADA
10 Wellington Street, Room 5B-04
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H4

Entries can also be sent via e-mail to csjr-yrsc@ainc-inac.gc.ca

CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE Essay Call Letter Form as a WORD Document OR as a PDF Document

PRESS RELEASE about this special gathering:

First Nations, Métis and Inuit Veterans Journey to Battlefields of Europe

Ottawa - First Nations, Métis and Inuit people who gave their lives in wartime will be honoured during events in Europe this fall, Veterans Affairs Minister, the Honourable Albina Guarnieri announced today.

Aboriginal spiritual leaders from across Canada will conduct Calling Home Ceremonies, incorporating the customs and traditions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, to return the spirits of fallen warriors to their homelands and put them to rest with their ancestors in Canada.

Twenty Aboriginal Veterans of the Second World War and 13 Aboriginal youth, representing every region of Canada, will accompany the Spiritual Leaders and will visit a number of commemorative sites related to the First and Second World Wars, including Ypres, Vimy Ridge, and Juno Beach in Normandy. Visits to Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries will offer an opportunity for the delegation to pay their respects to the fallen.  In addition, an Inukshuk will be constructed and placed at an appropriate overseas location to serve as a permanent reminder of the contribution of Canada’s First Peoples in service to their country.

Click here to read the entire press release

From the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal, July 21, 2005 -http://www.chroniclejournal.com/story.shtml?id=28165

Job agency launched 

Matawa First Nations Management has launched a new employment and training division, hoping to curb high unemployment levels in the region’s First Nations communities.

The division — launched Wednesday and based in Matawa’s office on Court Street in Thunder Bay — will offer employment services, including a job bank, job placements, apprenticeships, training, employment counselling, and support for adults looking to return to school.

The office will deal with Matawa’s 10 member First Nations, said Bruce Visitor, Matawa director of operations.

“We have six staff at this point in time,” Visitor said, adding there are representatives in each member community to help people there.

“The training aspect of our program will be very essential and important,” said division manager Morris Wapoose. “If you don’t receive training, then you can’t . . . compete in the labour market.”

Larry Spence, the division’s community development officer, said the division will help address the unemployment problem on First Nations.

“A lot of our youths are unemployed,” he said. “We need to get them the training so they can secure employment.”

Also Wednesday, Mattawa introduced the division’s new web page, accessible through http://matawa.on.ca

Missanabie Cree First Nation Chief Glenn Nolan is retracing the canoe route of British Commissioners during the original signing of James Bay Treaty 9 in 1905 and 1906. In this picture, Chief Glenn Nolan of Missanabie Cree First Nation and his group of paddlers reached the shore of Old Post Resort and Village during the James Bay Treaty No. 9 Centennial Commemoration July 12, 2005.

To learn more about the historical canoe route and about the content of Treaty 9, check out the "Virtual Journey: Signing of Treaty Nine" web site and the map of the sites visited in 1905 and 1906 by the commissioner. This site contains the content of the treaty along with the notes and pictures made by the commissioner at each stop.

The Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council have secured $540,000.00 over four years, from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, to conduct activities that will meet the following objectives:

• Development of 25 regional and community youth councils;
• Development of a communication strategy;
• Development of leadership training modules;
• Planning of the Annual Youth Symposia

Please see our Work plan for a more detailed breakdown of the activities.

See the press release at Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council receives extensive multi-year grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation