Minister Fraser meets with Atlantic Indigenous leaders

Press Release

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

June 25, 2025

Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), joined leaders from the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC) and the Atlantic Indigenous Economic Development Integrated Research Program (AIEDIRP), to highlight how Indigenous-led economic development is shaping a more prosperous, inclusive future for Canada.

The Government of Canada is committed to economic reconciliation as a key driver of stronger, more resilient communities. It continues to work with Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities in Atlantic Canada to break down barriers, and create more economic opportunities, especially for Indigenous youth. It also supports long-term growth through entrepreneurship and the development of a more inclusive economy for future generations.

Indigenous-led economic development is strengthening Canada’s economic resilience, driving growth in key sectors, generating good jobs, and creating opportunities that benefit all Canadians. By closing socio-economic gaps and supporting Indigenous-led investment, Canada is driving real economic outcomes: higher productivity, better jobs, and a more competitive economy.

Quotes

“Mi’kmaq, Peskotomuhkati and Wolastoqiyik leadership, and organizations like the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chief Secretariat, are shaping a stronger, more resilient Atlantic Canada. Our government is proud to partner in this work and invest in economic reconciliation — by removing barriers, supporting Indigenous-led research, and creating opportunities. When Indigenous communities thrive, the entire region moves forward together.”

–   The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“We’ve seen a lot of positive momentum in advancing economic reconciliation in renewable energy projects as well as other sectors. However, there is a lot of work left to be done. There needs to be committed focus on integration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations to support enhanced partnerships, capacity building and collaborative policy development for progress to continue.”

–  John Paul, Executive Director, Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat

“The impact of Indigenous economy is enormous. It’s double the impact of the Atlantic aerospace and defense industry. This research is imperative to affirm the significance of Indigenous communities and businesses across the region, the success of our region’s economy is strengthened by the contributions of Atlantic Indigenous communities and businesses. It is important to address economic reconciliation in our region.”

– Chief Shelley Sabattis, Co-chair, Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat

Quick facts

• The Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs Secretariat (APC) represents 33 Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy and Innu First Nations across Atlantic, eastern Quebec, and parts of Maine, USA.
• The Atlantic Indigenous Economic Development Integrated Research Program (AIEDIRP), an initiative of Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs Secretariat (APC), collaborates with 33 First Nations communities, the Inuit of Labrador, and 15 Atlantic universities to strengthen the knowledge base around Atlantic Indigenous economic development, with the goal of improving the well-being of Indigenous peoples in the region.
• Through its Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) provided a contribution of $653,363 to the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs Secretariat (APC), to support three research projects and host a conference in November 2024, delivered through the Atlantic Indigenous Economic Development Integrated Research Program (AIEDIRP).

Associated links

• Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs Secretariat (APC)
• Report: What Does Atlantic Indigenous Economic Reconciliation Look Like?
• Atlantic Indigenous Economic Development Integrated Research Program (AIEDIRP)

Contacts
Media Relations
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
mediaroom-salledesmedias@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

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