The 2008 Manitoba Budget Address

Aboriginal Economic Development

We have worked with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to develop the First Peoples Economic Growth Fund to support First Nations business development with a share of provincial gaming revenue, and we are developing partnerships with First Nations interested in pursuing cottage lot developments to strengthen their local economies.

The settlement of long-standing land claims is an important step in clearing the way for economic growth in Aboriginal communities. Mr. Speaker, with today’s budget we are dedicating additional resources to speed up the overall process.

This year marked the first celebration of Manitoba’s new February holiday – Louis Riel Day. We share the pride of the Métis people in recognizing Riel as the driving force to make Manitoba Canada’s fifth province and his dream of a province that embraces all cultures is still shared by Manitobans today. Our government is working with the Manitoba Métis Federation on an economic development strategy and other initiatives to benefit the Métis people in Manitoba.

Mr. Speaker, Budget 2008 provides $250,000 as the first of four annual contributions to a $1 million Capital Improvements Fund for Friendship Centres across Manitoba.

We have started work on the all-weather road on the east side of Lake Winnipeg from Provincial Road 304 near Hollow Water to Bloodvein with the replacement of two bridges. Engineering work is continuing and planning for route selection beyond Bloodvein is under way.

The East Side communities are also benefiting from new sustainable economic development and training opportunities, including:

• funding for development of land use and resource management plans;
  
  
• establishment of the East Side Aboriginal Sustainable Tourism organization;
  
  
• the Island Lake First Nations Energy Efficiency and Housing Retrofit pilot project; and
  
  
• a 25-seat LPN training program at St. Theresa Point.

Our government continues to work with First Nations communities in the bid for a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for about 42,000 square kilometres of the boreal shield on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. Gaining international recognition for this globally significant boreal forest will maintain the ecological health of the land while providing the people who live there with opportunities for sustainable economic development.