Rural Economic Development (RED) Program

For Immediate Release

July 15, 2005

Ontario Supports Skills Ehancement For First Nations Youth

Invests In Local Summer Employment and Training Program

TORONTO - The Ontario government is supporting skills enhancement for First Nations youth in the City of Thunder Bay by investing in a local summer employment and training program, Michael Gravelle, MPP, Thunder Bay-Superior North, announced today on behalf of John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

"The McGuinty government is committed to meeting the top priorities for rural and northern Ontario -- strong people, strong economies and success for students," said Gravelle. "Training First Nations youth is an investment in the future of the forest industry, and will help achieve more prosperity and a higher quality of life for rural and northern communities."

The Ontario government will contribute $590,335 to Confederation College Forestry Centre and its partners, Tembec Inc., Bowater Canadian Forest Products Inc., Weyerhauser Company Ltd. and Trus Joist. The summer employment and training program will host four educational camps that will provide skills training in forestry and natural resources, and in the software applications, Geographic Information Systems/Global Positioning System (GIS/GPS). The program will also provide practical experience and workshops to help aboriginal youth obtain permanent employment in the forest industry.

"Skills training is very important for our aboriginal youth," said David Ramsay, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. "This funding provides training opportunities, which will help lead to long-term employment."

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) program, which invests in projects that support sustainable rural economies and community partnerships, and is a key part of Ontario's Rural Plan. The rural plan provides a coordinated framework across government to build on rural Ontario's strengths -- committed people, diverse economic opportunities, unrivalled resources and a solid sense of community.

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