Manitoba's Métis community receives strategic funding to identify emerging opportunities

[CAWED]

NOVEMBER 28, 1998

_MANITOBA’S MÉTIS COMMUNITY RECEIVES STRATEGIC FUNDING TO
IDENTIFY EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES_

_WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Manitoba’s Métis community will soon
benefit from a study being led by the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF)
that will identify emerging economic opportunities for the creation of
new businesses and long-term employment._

The _Honourable Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State for Western
Economic Diversification_, today announced $152,000 in funding for the
MMF to conduct the study and make recommendations on how to increase
the Métis people’s potential in key economic sectors.

"The study and the consultation process will provide new ideas on how
best to develop new opportunities," said _Mr. Duhamel_. "Through this
funding, the Government of Canada is helping Manitoba’s Métis
community to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the economy
and contribute to Canada’s strength. Thanks to this partnership,
the Métis community will have the tools necessary to create jobs and
generate growth from within."

"The Métis people constitute a growing segment of Manitoba’s
population," said _MMF President David Chartrand_. "Our goal is to
improve access to opportunities for meaningful long-term employment
for the Métis people and create viable commercial enterprises to
ensure our community’s economic development."

The study will focus on four elements :

* Technological communications to modernize and enhance
communications amongst Métis individuals and communities,
including access to business and employment information, through
computerization, networking and the Internet;
* Tourism to research opportunities for Métis individuals and
communities, and provide recommendations for small business
development;
* Transportation to identify employment and business opportunities
for Métis people in Manitoba’s ground transportation and
trucking industry; and
* Opportunities campaign to coordinate forums and consult Métis
individuals and communities on how to establish longer-term
mechanisms for meeting their needs in the areas of economic
development, information, support, training and other creative
solutions.

The study will offer detailed recommendations for employment and
business development that can be implemented immediately. This will
include sufficiently developed feasibility analyses of particular
businesses that individuals and communities can proceed upon.

For over 30 years, the MMF has represented the Métis people in
Manitoba and worked towards the economic advancement of the Métis
population. The organization now includes a head office in Winnipeg,
as well as seven regional administrations and 130 local
community-based boards. The MMF is also affiliated with the Métis
National Council.

Funding for the Manitoba Métis Federation project was provided for in
the February 1998 budget and is therefore built into the existing
fiscal framework. This initiative is an example of how the federal
government is prioritizing its spending to better serve Canadians by
making efficient use of their tax dollars.