March 13, 2003

THE PAS--Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin today announced $10 million in provincial support for pre-project training initiatives for northerners in preparation for the construction of the proposed Manitoba Hydro generating stations in Northern Manitoba.

Speaking at a northern economic development forum hosted by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and the Southeast Resource Development Council, Lathlin said that hydro development is a major opportunity to boost training and employment in the North.

"Hydro development represents an important economic opportunity for Northern Manitoba," said Lathlin. "By providing pre-project training, we will help northern and Aboriginal communities to take advantage of the training and employment opportunities presented by these projects."

Lathlin said that education and training are priority areas for the government and today's announcement reinforces the government's commitment to the Northern Development Strategy (NDS). Further training will help close the gap identified in a recent Statistics Canada census report showing the continuing disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in regard to post-secondary education.

Manitoba Hydro has proposed the development of two new hydroelectric generating stations in Northern Manitoba. The Wuskwatim Generating Station located on the Burntwood River would generate 200 megawatts of power and the Gull Generating Station located on the Nelson River would generate 620 megawatts of power.

Considerations on both projects are being undertaken with Northern Manitoba First Nation communities in the vicinity of the proposed projects. Manitoba Hydro is working toward a partnership agreement with the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) for the Wuskwatim project, and the Tataskweyak Cree Nation (TCN) and the War Lake, York Factory and Fox Lake Cree Nations for the Gull Generating Station.

"The proposed hydroelectric projects would be the largest construction undertakings in Manitoba over the next decade and will result in significant long-term economic benefits for Northern Manitoba," said Lathlin. "Northerners with the appropriate training will be able to benefit from the opportunities these projects present."

Lathlin noted it is anticipated the construction of both projects would generate 28,000 person years of employment with up to 700 jobs at the peak of Wuskwatim construction and up to 1,400 jobs at the peak of Gull construction. Eight hundred or more individuals are expected to participate in the pre-project training initiative.

"In addition to the employment opportunities associated with the construction of these projects, equipping individuals with new skills and knowledge will have a long-term benefit on the regional economy," added Diane McGifford, minister of advanced education and training.

McGifford added that the funding will focus on high skilled areas such as preparing qualified tradespeople. Training plans will be developed in consultation with Manitoba Hydro and the First Nations. The provincial government is working closely with Manitoba Hydro to ensure that training efforts effectively match the job opportunities that will be generated by the proposed hydro developments.

The pre-project training initiative will enable the five First Nations to develop and deliver training for their members for hydro development employment opportunities. There will also be funding to ensure that other northern Aboriginal people residing outside the vicinity of the proposed projects will also have access to training and job opportunities.

Lathlin said that the $10 million is a component of a proposed $60 million pre-project training initiative that is currently being negotiated between the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro. Manitoba is working with the federal government to provide training opportunities to ensure Manitobans benefit from a $30 million federal commitment to this initiative, in part under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Program (ASEP) announced in the Sept. 30, 2002, federal throne speech.

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