Saskatoon Roundtable Sharpens Recommendations for a Long-term Métis Economic Development Strategy
Press Releases
March 5, 2015
A roundtable of experts from Métis Nation economic development institutions, industry and government in Saskatchewan focused on the long-term Métis economic development strategy that will be the subject of a meeting of federal and provincial ministers and Métis Nation leadership on March 18-19.
In the roundtable discussion of procurement opportunities and challenges, it became evident that awareness was a critical issue for both industry and Métis business. Industry needs a better description of who and where Metis businesses are. It also became evident that corporate players like roundtable participants BHP and SaskPower were proactive in dealing with this challenge through outreach initiatives.
Métis small businesses need a better understanding of the bidding process, part of the need for education and skills in business development at the entrepreneur level which Métis financial institutions are trying to address. Métis institutions like the Clarence Campeau Development Fund (CCDF), represented by its CEO Roland Duplessis and his team of experts, are heavily engaged in providing industry with information on Métis business as well as assisting Métis entrepreneurs with their business planning in addition to financing. CCDF and another roundtable participant, Steve McLellan, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, also provide Métis business with significant networking opportunities.
The lack of capacity in Métis communities to capitalize on economic and procurement opportunities through joint ventures was discussed. Vince Natomagan from the Métis community of Pinehouse, which concluded a collaboration agreement with uranium giant Cameco, illustrated how capacity can be built successfully from the ground up and suggested this is where government support for economic development should be directed.
Access to capital for Métis financial institutions figured as a critical issue in the discussions. Greg Fofonoff of the Saskatchewan Métis and Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) described how his company had rolled over an initial federal investment of $5 million in the 1980s five times, assisting hundreds of businesses that have created more than 2,000 jobs. The need for additional capital to meet proven demand will be addressed in the economic development strategy with a business case for re-capitalizing Métis financial institutions through innovative financial instruments and facilities.
In the roundtable discussion on labour force development, it was evident that another Métis institution, the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI), plays a critical role in maximizing the value of education and skills development for Métis people in Saskatchewan. As its executive director Geordie McCaffrey made clear in his interventions, GDI is heavily involved in many aspects of Métis social and economic development and is relied upon by the Métis Nation, industry and governments. GDI exemplifies why the development of human capital through education and skills development must be the real foundation of the economic development strategy.
Matt Vermette of Northern Research Group moderated the discussion on Métis participation in major economic and resource development projects. He said the Duty to Consult was generally not working but it could. There wasn’t enough clarity when the duty was delegated by government to proponents of major projects, a point reaffirmed by the SaskPower spokesperson. The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce has called for the clarification of the duty by governments to reduce the uncertainty surrounding major projects.
With regard to strengthening the role of Metis institutions, the 4th priority area of the economic development strategy, the roundtable demonstrated clearly that institutions like CCDF, GDI and SMEDCO are essential drivers of economic development for the Saskatchewan Métis who benefit from these professionally managed arms length institutions.
Saskatchewan Economic Development Engagement Session: Agenda
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