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OTTAWA, ONTARIO (April 20, 2010) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today announced the expansion of a program aimed at helping First Nation and Métis communities establish resource and energy businesses in Saskatchewan.

The Government's $3.7 million contribution to Westcap Mgt. Ltd.   will allow eight additional First Nation and Métis communities to participate in the company's Business Ready Investment Development Gateway (BRIDG) initiative. This three-year program is designed to help make First Nation and Métis communities in Saskatchewan "business-ready."

"Strengthening Aboriginal entrepreneurship is a Government of Canada priority," said Minister Strahl. "Through investments like these, we are building the capacity of First Nation and Métis communities and businesses to succeed in key sectors of the Canadian economy."

BRIDG was one of four pilot projects funded last year through the Government's Major Resource and Energy Development (MRED) Investments Initiative, an initiative designed to help Aboriginal businesses partner in some of the most important economic developments and energy projects in the country. Using an original federal investment of $3.9 million, Westcap Mgt. Ltd. launched an open and rigorous competitive process in which nine Saskatchewan First Nation and Métis communities were selected to participate in the program. These new funds will extend the program to eight more communities, increasing the total number of participant communities to 17 over the duration of the project.

"The overwhelming interest by Saskatchewan First Nations and Métis communities to participate in the BRIDG program is a positive sign of the need, desire and recognition that better governance and business readiness practices are vital to create sustainable wealth in the future. The support of Minister Strahl's department to not only fund the pilot last year, but immediately follow up with an additional $3.7 million to meet the demand should be applauded," said Grant Kook, President/CEO of Westcap Mgt. Ltd. "We look forward to working closely with 17 ground breaking Aboriginal communities over the next three years so they can become successful participants in Saskatchewan's growing resource and energy sector."

Under the BRIDG initiative, communities will receive support to establish an effective economic development corporation, retain and mentor a business champion, establish proper governance procedures and develop a strategic plan, readying them to take advantage of key business opportunities in the resource and energy sector. Participating communities will continue to work with Westcap Mgt. Ltd. and other industry partners to identify business opportunities and source other investment capital.   

"Our Government is leading the way on jobs and growth by investing in the skills and capacity of our local communities," said Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desenthé-Missinippi-Churchill River. "Through our investment in this expanded program, we are ensuring that Saskatchewan's First Nation and Métis communities participate fully in our country's economic recovery."

This initiative is supported by the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development, the Government's policy framework outlining its vision, priorities, and strategy for increasing the participation of Aboriginal peoples in the Canadian economy.

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