The federal government and province made a major Aboriginal job-training announcement this morning with the goal of increasing First Nations, Métis and Inuit employment in northern Saskatchewan’s mining industry.
As part of the training program, the federal government will contribute close to $8 million and the province $1.5 million with the goal of increasing Aboriginal employment in the mining industry by 800 jobs.
Northern Saskatchewan Conservative MP Rob Clarke, who represented the federal government at the announcement, says good paying jobs for Aboriginal people in the province’s mining industry can have huge spin off benefits.
“What I see is First Nations, Aboriginals, Métis people and Inuit actually participating in the economy by being major contributors,” he says. “With that their taking home paycheques and taking them back into their communities and spending it locally on First Nations reserves or in Métis communities and being major contributors to that economy as well. So, everyone benefits.”
The money is being flowed through the Northern Career Quest program, a northern job-training program which there had been some doubt until recently whether it would continue on due to a lack of federal financial commitment.
Aside from Clarke, Saskatoon Sask Party MLA Rob Norris, Cameco Vice-President of Corporate Social Responsibility Gary Merasty, Northern Career Quest CEO Steve Innes and Meadow Lake Tribal Council Chief Eric Sylvestre were present at the announcement.
The announcement was made at the Cameco head office in Saskatoon.