Harper Government Highlights Economic Opportunities for Aboriginal People at the Aboriginal Entrepreneurs Conference and Tradeshow 2012

Marketwired

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct 15, 2012) - Today, the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, along with this year''s event host, Kelly J. Lendsay, President and CEO, Aboriginal Human Resource Council (AHRC) opened the Aboriginal Entrepreneurs Conference and Tradeshow 2012.

The Aboriginal Human Resource Council, supported by the Government of Canada (Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Natural Resources Canada ), is hosting the second annual Aboriginal Entrepreneurs Conference and Tradeshow. Participants will explore the conference''s theme of "Major Projects, Major Opportunities: Participation in Canada''s Development Projects".

"Canada''s natural resources sector presents a tremendous economic opportunity for the country''s young and growing Aboriginal population", said Minister Duncan. "We''re proud to support the second Aboriginal Entrepreneurs Conference and Tradeshow and to contribute to providing a forum for Aboriginal businesses, industry representatives and government officials to meet and share knowledge, ideas and best practices regarding Aboriginal business development".

"The theme of this year''s conference highlights the key role that Aboriginal businesses and Aboriginal communities will continue to play in some of the biggest development projects in the country," said Kelly J. Lendsay. "We look forward to helping Aboriginal communities and businesses/developers build partnerships that will bring reprieve to Indigenous employment gaps in Canada, while helping to advance social and economic inclusion that brings economic prosperity to businesses and Aboriginal communities across our nation."

"The Harper Government''s top priority is creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. Through our Aboriginal labour market programs, our Government works with partners to ensure Aboriginal people are able to take full advantage of economic opportunities", said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. "These programs are an important part of the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development, a strategy to build a strong and vibrant Aboriginal workforce."

"Resource development employs more than 31,000 Aboriginal workers and generating economic activity for Aboriginal business ventures," said the Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada''s Minister of Natural Resources. "As many as 600 resource projects, worth more than $650 billion, are currently under construction or planned across Canada over the next 10 years. And many of them are within a 100 kilometre radius of Aboriginal communities. There is no question that for Aboriginal Canadians, the economic opportunity has never been greater."

The conference will take place at the Westin Ottawa, on October 15-16, 2012 and is expected to attract nearly 400 delegates from Aboriginal communities, government and industry. This event will encourage information sharing and networking opportunities with key business contacts to further enhance business possibilities.

This release is also available on the Internet at www.aandc.gc.ca.

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