The Honourable Ralph Goodale today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage (CH) and the Honourable Ron Duhamel, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification Canada) (Francophonie), more than $720,000 in federal support for the new Saskatoon City Centre. The facility integrates programming and services from local agencies under one roof to improve the quality of life and health status for children, youth, young adults and their families in the core area of Saskatoon.

Canadian Heritage is providing $421,300 for programming at the centre through the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres initiative. This funding will help enable the Centre to provide children, youth, and families with mentorships, recreation, social support, and other services.

Western Economic Diversification is providing $300,000 for the renovation of a former grocery store in the area, purchased by the City of Saskatoon to house the City Centre. The funding goes towards adding a 6,000-square-foot gymnasium to the existing structure. The renovated centre houses a multipurpose room, weight room, computer room, classroom, youth room, offices, elders ceremonial room, craft room, kitchen and child care area. The total project cost is about $1.6 million.

"The Saskatoon City Centre highlights the Government of Canada's commitment to better coordinate federal programs and services available to First Nations and Métis peoples and to build stronger relationships with First Nations and Métis peoples, especially in urban areas," said the Honourable Ralph Goodale. "The centre provides young people and their families with the foundation, tools and resources to develop their potential and seize economic opportunities available to them."

Early in 1999, the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon District Health, the Saskatoon Tribal Council and the Métis Urban Council formed a partnership to develop and enhance community services. In consultation with the community, the partnership recognized that a centralized facility with community-based programming was needed with a vision to move from treatment to prevention; remote programming to community-based programming and independent services to interdependent services.

The Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres (UMAYC) initiative is a five-year initiative targeted to Aboriginal youth between the ages of 15 and 24 living in urban areas. It is intended to give Aboriginal young people the skills and the tools they need to contribute to building strong communities and to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian society. UMAYC is consistent with the government's commitment in Gathering Strength: Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan.

For additional information, contact:

Joanne Mysak
Manager, Consultations, Marketing and Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
(306) 975-5942

Trevor Ashfield
Canadian Heritage
Communications
Regina, Saskatchewan
(306) 780-7658