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April 4 2001 - Manitoba's Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson has advocated more Aboriginal participation in the province's workforce to match overall growth of the Aboriginal population.

The Aboriginal population of Manitoba will grow significantly in the next decade. At present just 10 per cent of the province's workforce is of Aboriginal descent. But, by the year 2011, as many as 1 in 4 workers will be of Aboriginal descent.

"We have a responsibility to ensure that Aboriginal people are represented in the workforce," said Robinson. "Statistics indicate that the unemployment rate for Aboriginal people in Manitoba is significantly higher than that of non-Aboriginal people. By working to increase the participation of Aboriginal people in the workforce we will also provide a hope and a viable future for our young people."

Robinson also highlighted the potential benefits to the business community from an increase in the percentage of Aboriginal people in the workforce. "The fact that the Aboriginal population will increase in the upcoming years also means that the number of Aboriginal consumers will increase," said Robinson. "This is a large market opportunity and I challenge the private sector to work in partnership with Aboriginal organizations to meet this challenge. After all, hiring Aboriginal people is just plain good business."

According to Eric Robinson the Manitoba government has made a number of practical moves to boost Aboriginal representation in the province's workforce.

"I am pleased that our government has made steps in meeting this challenge," said Robinson. "Recently, our government, in partnership with Manitoba Hydro and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, have announced two initiatives designed to increase the representation of Aboriginal people in both organizations."

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