Speaking Notes for

The Honourable Rona Ambrose

President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of Western Economic Diversification

Neeginan Institute of Applied Technology

Winnipeg, Manitoba
February 26, 2007

Check Against Delivery

Thank you, Mr. Helgason (MC, Wayne Helgason, Chair, Centre of Aboriginal Human Resource Development).  Ms. Bartlett.  Ladies and gentlemen.

This is my first visit to Winnipeg as the new Minister of Western Economic Diversification.  It’s great to be in this dynamic city – and even better to be announcing support for Aboriginal students that will enable them to succeed.

Welcome to the start of an incredible relationship!

Our New Government is getting things done for all Canadians, including the people of Winnipeg.

Over the past year, Canada’s New Government repeatedly demonstrated our commitment to getting things done for all Canadians.  This must — and does — include Aboriginal communities across Canada.  In Winnipeg, this is being achieved by promoting job training, skills development and entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, in Budget 2006, our Government announced over $3.7 billion for Aboriginal Peoples over the next 2 years, more than in any previous budget.

We have delivered on our promises – and kept a clear focus on our priorities.

We started by refocusing spending on priorities and reducing the national debt. 

We moved forward to implement accountability measures, improve national security, provide support and choice in childcare, and ensure we have clean air for our children to breathe. 

We are restoring the confidence of taxpayers by paying down our national debt, by using the interest savings to cut personal taxes and, most important of all, by keeping the economy strong. 

Canada’s New Government brought back $4.5 billion to Canadian companies following the signature of the softwood lumber agreement with the United States.

Canada’s New Government recognized Quebec as a Nation within a united Canada.
Just recently, Prime Minister Harper pointed out five priority areas that our Government will focus on in months ahead:

• Further tax reductions as part of a comprehensive economic agenda;
• Continued steps to tackle crime;
• Strengthening the federation by addressing Senate reform and fiscal balance with the provinces; and
• Clear, decisive steps to protect our environment. 

We will continue to build a stronger, safer, better Canada.

Our focus is to get things done for all Canadians, including the people of Winnipeg, which brings me to today’s event. 

Today, Canada’s New Government is announcing its investment of just over $480,000 in funding from Western Economic Diversification and Canada’s Urban Aboriginal Strategy to bring Aboriginal students and job opportunities closer together.

Our investment in the Neeginan Institute of Applied Technology is being directed towards renovations and new equipment to train tomorrow’s skilled tradesmen and women.

Students entering this program will know that they have a rewarding job waiting for them when they are done – and prospective employers will have a voice in that training so that specific needs are met.  What a win-win situation.

We hope this innovative model developed by the Centre of Aboriginal Human Resource Development will become an inspiration for Canadian businesses and other organizations working on student training. 

By promoting skills development that leads to real jobs, our Government recognizes that economic development is key to empowering individuals to take greater control of their lives — and their future.

Our Government will make progress on Aboriginal issues … our Government will work with provincial, territorial and Aboriginal leaders to generate opportunities that deliver real results … our Government will ensure that today’s Aboriginal youth are part of Canada’s prosperity. 

Thank you.  I am honoured to be here today.