Released on March 25, 2008
The Government of Saskatchewan today signed an Aboriginal Employment Development Program (AEDP) partnership agreement with the City of Regina, the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 21, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 588, the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 7, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 181, and the Regina Civic Middle Management Association to increase job opportunities for Aboriginal people in the Regina area.
"I commend our new partners for joining with the Government of Saskatchewan in preparing workplaces and helping to foster the creation of a representative workforce," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister June Draude said. "Today is a day of celebration, as our new partners join us in the quest to achieve that vision."
"The City of Regina is committed to enhancing our workplace to foster greater Aboriginal participation," Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco said. "We will continue to work toward removing potential barriers and create a workplace where First Nations and Métis people are welcomed and accepted throughout all levels of our organization. My Council colleagues and I are committed to the City of Regina to be an employer of choice for Aboriginal people."
The three unions in the Regina Civic Coalition are signatories to the agreement. The Coalition includes the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Locals 7 and 21, representing City of Regina administrative staff and outside workers, and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 588, representing all employees who operate Regina's transit system. The Coalition welcomes the opportunity to work on ensuring that the people who provide services to Regina's citizens better represent the diversity of those citizens.
"This agreement sets out our intent to work with the City on strategies to employ and retain Aboriginal people," Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, ATU 588 president Mike Ehmann said. "CUPE and ATU are looking forward to making sure the intent lives beyond a signing ceremony and turns into real recruitment and retention practices.
The Regina Professional Fire Fighters Association has expressed their pleasure and honour to become a partner in the Aboriginal employment development program because the association believes the workforce of any community must be representative of the citizens it serves. This partnership will provide the opportunity to achieve a more pronounced diversity within our membership that is reflective of the citizens and community of Regina.
The Regina Civic Middle Management Association (RCMMA) strongly supports the objectives of the Aboriginal Employment Development Program. Unlike many other aging jurisdictions in Canada, Regina and Saskatchewan have access to a great labour market advantage, which is the emerging pool of young aboriginal workers. The AEDP Agreement will help employers, employees and unions bridge possible gaps for young aboriginal workers. RCMMA represents 165 middle managers and professional workers at the City of Regina primarily in the hot professions of finance, engineering, information technologies, public policy analysis and project management.
Through the Aboriginal Employment Development Program, Saskatchewan is working with its partners to meet provincial labour market needs through workplace preparation. By building linkages to the First Nations and Métis workforce the program strives to ensure representation at all occupational levels. This participation is integral to Saskatchewan's future success.
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For more information, contact:
Sharon Erickson
First Nations and Métis Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7177
Kathryn MacLeod
City of Regina
Regina
Phone: 306-777-4006