Minister Sajjan announces $5.9M for Indigenous clean energy projects and digital skills training

Minister Sajjan announces $5.9M for Indigenous clean energy projects and digital skills training

June 1, 2023 at 4:08 pm  Federal, Politics

Support for two Indigenous-led economic development projects was unveiled at the 2023 Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase

June 1, 2023 –Vancouver, British Columbia – PacifiCan

Indigenous communities across British Columbia are creating new opportunities in the economy of the future, including transitioning to clean energy and advancing digital technology.

Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced an investment of over $5.9 million for two organizations supporting Indigenous economic growth in clean energy projects and digital skills training.

Over $3.9 million in funding is being provided to the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI), which will support 14 Indigenous communities to develop new clean energy projects. This initiative is helping to reduce reliance on non-renewable fuels, while generating clean energy in Indigenous communities. Of this funding, $2.3 million comes from PacifiCan and $1.6 million from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).

Funded by PacifiCan through the federal government’s Strategic Partnerships Initiative, with contributions from the Province of British Columbia through the CleanBC plan, BCICEI has delivered $26 million to support over 100 clean energy projects in First Nations in B.C. since 2016.

Since then, the initiative has created nearly 1,400 jobs, reduced diesel usage by over 2.8 million litres annually and created clean energy projects, jobs and Indigenous economic growth throughout B.C.

PacifiCan is also investing more than $2 million to support the Digital Horizons technology employment training program that will be delivered by the First Nations Technology Council. Many companies in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector know that diversity is a strength in their workforce.

However, only a small portion of the ICT workforce is Indigenous. This program will offer culturally grounded, Indigenous-designed and led programs that will train and equip over 700 Indigenous people with the skills they need to be hired for in-demand jobs or to launch their own tech or tech-enabled businesses in BC.

The Minister made these announcements while speaking at the Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase. This annual event provides practical guidance on how First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and their enterprise partners can work together for shared economic success. 

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