Western Economic Diversification Canada
www.wd-deo.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
News Releases
Winnipeg Partnership Agreement Funds 10 ProjectsSupports Healthy and Vibrant Communities
Training and mentorship initiatives for inner city residents are receiving $851,090 from the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement (WPA) through 10 projects that focus on community renewal and neighbourhood revitalization.
Steve Ashton, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and Sam Katz, Mayor of Winnipeg, announced the funding today.
"This support is a great example of working cooperatively with local groups on community-based goals that will boost the revitalization of Winnipeg's downtown and inner-city neighbourhoods," said Ashton. "Effective partnerships are key elements of building strong and healthy communities."
"Canada's New Government believes in putting families first and making communities stronger," said Minister Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. "These projects will strengthen Winnipeg's economic development and generate long-term benefits for residents."
"The vision of Winnipeg as a strong and dynamic capital city is enhanced by projects that will revitalize our neighbourhoods," said Mayor Katz. "Investing in local economies will promote commercial development and strengthen neighbourhood renewal."
Funding will enable community-based organizations including the Inner City Development Inc. and North End Housing Project Inc. to take the next steps toward revitalizing inner-city neighbourhoods. The Louis Riel Capital Corporation and Ka Ni Kanichihk will increase their support for Aboriginal entrepreneurship and outreach programs.
Other projects will strengthen Winnipeg's community economic development organizations, boost entrepreneurship and employment, and enhance the comfort, safety and durability of housing stock for low-income households.
Funding for these projects comes from Component II of the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement. Component II projects include those that promote community capacity, physical renewal, safety and crime prevention, community development and sustainable economic development.
The Winnipeg Partnership Agreement was signed in May 2004 and represents a five year, $75-million commitment by the governments of Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg to strengthen neighbourhoods, promote economic development and enable Aboriginal citizens to fully enjoy Winnipeg's economic and social opportunities. Interested parties are encouraged to visit http://www.winnipegpartnership.mb.ca/ for program details.
For additional information, contact:
Jacquie Sippola
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (204) 983-0280
Winnipeg, Manitoba
John Thorpe
Communications Coordinator
Communications Services
Manitoba
Tel: (204) 945-7123
Brad Salyn
Press Secretary
Office of the Mayor
City of Winnipeg
Tel: (204) 986-4003
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
Backgrounder
Winnipeg Partnership Agreement
Building Urban Industries for Local Development ($93,000)
Building Urban Industries for Local Development (BUILD) will work with the Province and Manitoba Hydro to upgrade the insulation and weatherization in up to 360 housing units in the Centennial neighbourhood. It is anticipated that this pilot project will create up to nine jobs for inner-city residents and include life skills and technical training.
Louis Riel Capital Corporation ($62,000)
The Louis Riel Capital Corporation (LRCC), the lending arm of the Manitoba Métis Federation, provides financing to Métis and Non-status Indian controlled small businesses based in Manitoba. This project will develop and implement a Business Development Program customized for Métis people and train a Métis Business Counsellor in Winnipeg’s inner city.
Inner City Development Inc. ($75,000)
Inner City Development is a social enterprise with three operating divisions that employ low-income or formerly unemployed inner-city residents. This project will support on the-job training costs in a variety of building trades for employees of Inner City Development.
Ka Ni Kanichihk ($150,000)
Ka Ni Kanichihk, a community-based Aboriginal organization, provides a range of cultural services and programs designed to build social, human and physical capacity within Winnipeg’s rapidly growing urban Aboriginal community. Funding supports the renovation costs of a recently purchased building for the Ka Ni Kanichihk Centre, which will house training rooms, resource area, storefront/gallery space to incubate social enterprises and a sacred place.
North End Housing Project Inc. ($140,000)
North End Housing Project (NEHP) is a not-for-profit housing corporation that supplies affordable, quality housing to low-to-moderate income residents in the north end of Winnipeg. The project will employ two project managers to complete the scale up of NEHP to a sustainable model able to cover operating costs from project management fees.
West End BIZ ($100,000)
The West End BIZ is made up of 1,100 businesses located in Winnipeg’s downtown business improvement zone. Funding will go towards establishing a Portuguese Village. The project will include storefront improvements along Sargent Avenue, transforming it into an exciting pedestrian-friendly strip with a distinctive Portuguese flavour designed to add colour and vibrancy to the street.
Fort Whyte Foundation ($25,000)
The Fort Whyte Foundation was created in 2003 to provide inner-city youth with opportunities to develop basic business and life skills through hands-on sustainable production, harvest and marketing of natural products, such as honey and bison meat. Funding for its Growing Youth, Food & Community program will include leadership and mentoring development, and developing marketable job skills. An outreach program to sell products through satellite market sales kiosks is also planned.
Graffiti Art Programming Inc. ($90,000)
Graffiti Art Programming is a not-for-profit community youth art centre that offers the Urban Canvas Program for at-risk youth. The young adults work with mentors and instructors to enhance their artistic ability and improve their economic and social conditions. Funding will go towards program support and hiring a consultant to develop a social enterprise business plan.
Knox United Church ($66,900)
Knox United Church will build on its pilot project of 10 market stalls in Central Park by developing the Central Market for Global Families. This project will establish an eco agricultural market in Central Park and assist in developing micro-businesses through which low-income inner city residents can increase their economic security, with a focus on refugee and new immigrant families.
Spence Neighbourhood Association ($49,190)
The Spence Neighbourhood Association will undertake a feasibility study, business plan and development of community-based social enterprise called Community Research Hub. The project will evaluate the potential for a multi-neighbourhood based enterprise, develop instruction modules and train residents to supply research services and prepare a case study on developing a social enterprise in Winnipeg.
Archives : 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000
