Released on January 30, 2004
The Government of Canada is investing $6.33 million to support the urban development priorities identified by Regina's inner city residents through the Regina Inner City Community Partnership (RICCP).
Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Wascana and the Honourable Denis Coderre, Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and lead Minister for the Government of Canada's Urban Aboriginal Strategy today announced funding under three key Government of Canada initiatives to support the renewal of Regina's inner city. Also participating in today's announcement were the Honourable Joanne Crofford, Minister of Community Resources and Employment and Councillor Wade Murray.
"The Government of Canada is committed to assist Regina's inner city," said Minister Goodale. "Today's announcements showcase our dedication to co-ordinating our efforts – both within the federal government and with our partners – to bring as many resources to bear as possible to support the Regina Inner City Community Partnership."
"The work that is being done here in Regina is a good example of the partnership approach that the Urban Aboriginal Strategy supports," said Minister Coderre. "I am confident that we will make real gains in better supporting Aboriginal people in Regina under the leadership of the Regina Inner City Community Partnership."
National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) investments of almost $3.5 million over the next three years through the recently approved Regina Community Plan on Homelessness will support the community in the fight against homelessness and the root causes of homelessness. The Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS) partnership approach and investments of $2.25 million over the next three years through the Regina Inner City Community Partnership (RICCP) will support the community's efforts to better address the needs of Aboriginal people living in Regina. Urban Aboriginal Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres (UMAYC) initiative funding of $623,252 will support Regina's Aboriginal young people.
"Regina's Aboriginal population is young and brimming with potential. It also faces some important challenges. The funding announced here this morning directly addresses some of those challenges," said Minister Crofford. "Our government remains committed to working in partnership with the federal government, the City of Regina, the private sector, community groups, First Nations and Métis organizations and service providers to ensure that all residents of our capital city have the opportunity to live in a safe, attractive, family oriented community, and we remain committed to continuing our efforts to address the priority issues identified in the Report on the Community Vision and Action Plan.
"This funding will help address priority needs in our inner city neighborhoods, enhancing opportunities for Aboriginal youth, helping our efforts to revitalize Regina's inner city and providing key resources to improve housing," said Mayor Fiacco. "It's a prime example of the value we gain from community and government partnerships. I thank the National Homelessness Initiative and the Urban Aboriginal Strategy for the continued support of Regina."
Minister Goodale made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness and the Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, Minister of Canadian Heritage.
The UMAYC funding announced today supports nine projects in Regina to support and assist Regina's Aboriginal youth in enhancing their economic, social and personal prospects.
The RICCP is a community-based partnership dedicated to the renewal of Regina's inner city through a process that engages neighbourhood residents and organizations in determining the future of their community. The RICCP Steering Committee brings together governments, community partners, the private sector and area residents to address the priorities identified by the community in the Report on the Community Vision and Action Plan, released last fall.
The Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities' efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. Building on the successes achieved, the February 2003 Budget announced $405 million for three years to continue the Federal Government's commitment to addressing homelessness in Canada.
The Government of Canada launched the UAS in 1998 to coordinate efforts to address issues facing urban Aboriginal Canadians. The February 2003 Budget announced $25 million for three years to enhance the UAS through targeted pilot projects in eight cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto and Thunder Bay.
The Government of Canada launched the UMAYC initiative in 1998 to provide accessible, Aboriginal community based, culturally relevant, and supportive projects, programs, services, and counseling to urban Aboriginal youth, and facilitates their participation in existing programs in order to improve their economic, social, and personal prospects.
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTMENT: $6.33 MILLION
National Homelessness Initiative: $3.45 million (2003-2006)
Urban Aboriginal Strategy: $2.25 million (2003-2006)
Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres: $623,252
For more information on the Government of Canada initiatives included in today's announcement, please visit the Government of Canada web site at www.canada.gc.ca or see the attached backgrounders.
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For More Information, Contact:
Pat Breton
Minister Goodale's Office
Phone: (613)996-3225 | Sara Bain
Minister Coderre's Office
Phone: (613)371-0504 |
Kim Oliver
Minister Bradshaw's Office
Phone: (819)953-5646 |
Mylene Dupere
Minister Scherrer's Office
Phone: (819)997-7788 |
Herman Hulshof
Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment
Phone: 306-787-0916 |
