Transcript TITLE

Overview of ACOA
Activities
to Increase Aboriginal
Participation
Work Force Connex
June 19th, 2006
21/07/2015
Agenda
• ACOA activities to increase
aboriginal participation
– Coordinate access to federal
programs (VBFACC)
– Improve access to capital
– Strengthening Aboriginal
Businesses
21/07/2015
ACOA ActivitiesCoordination
• In June 2002, it was agreed that ACOA
would assume lead federal coordination role
on the Voisey’s Bay Project
• Voisey’s Bay Federal Aboriginal
Coordinating committee was established to:
I) Coordinate access to existing federal
programs
II) Ensure that federal departments are
responsive to the needs of aboriginal groups
21/07/2015
Structure
• The Voisey’s Bay Federal Aboriginal
Coordinating Committee is
comprised of representatives from:
– Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(ACOA)
– Human Resources Development Canada
(HRDC)
– Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(INAC)
– Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC)
21/07/2015
AccomplishmentsVBFACC
• Progress being made on priorities
identified by aboriginal groups
• To date, approximately 100
interventions on a broad range of
business development activities
• In excess of $4.0 Million approved to
date for business development
activities since the inception of the
VBFACC
21/07/2015
ACOA ActivitiesAccess to Capital
• $6.0 Million approved for Ulnooweg
for an Aboriginal Business
Development Fund
• Encouraged Ulnooweg to expand
services to all three aboriginal groups
in Labrador
• Assisted the Nunatsiavut Businesses
Centre with the establishment of an
investment fund
21/07/2015
ACOA ActivitiesStrengthening Aboriginal
Businesses
• All three aboriginal groups have
established business centers to
provide business counseling
planning and support services
with assistance from ACOA
• ACOA continues to support
Aboriginal Business Services
Network
21/07/2015
Observations
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
21/07/2015
three-way partnership between industry, government and
aboriginal groups has resulted in significant benefits for the
aboriginal communities
the IBA's is the biggest reason for the success being realized in
terms of business and employment benefits
access to capital and business support and counselling not as
important as anticipated for the construction phase
Voisey's Bay Project will be the catalyst for greater aboriginal
participation for other resource developments and business
development generally
“Cultural shift"- as a result of the VBP there is a greater
awareness and appreciation for the role of business in building
strong vibrant communities
all three aboriginal groups are now better positioned to capitalize
on other business opportunities
government is better prepared and more willing to provide the
support necessary (SFT, harmonization, horizontal management
etc).
Where to go from here?
• continue to work with all three aboriginal
groups to help build business capacity
(business centres, improved access to
funding, business skills, etc)
• expand the role and mandate of VBFACC to
coordinate other Aboriginal economic
development activities
• use the VBFACC to streamline and
consolidate federal programming for
broader AED activities consistent with the
recent harmonization study and
government's focus on horizontal
management.
21/07/2015