2004/05 - 2006/07 Service Plan -- Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services

Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results — Continued

Goal 4: Social and Economic outcomes for Aboriginal people are improved.

Core Business Area:: Aboriginal, Multiculturalism and Immigration.

Objective 1:: Aboriginal people and communities participate more in British Columbia's society and economy.

The province's Aboriginal population grew by 24 per cent between 1996 and 2001. In recent years more Aboriginal people have moved from reserves to urban centres with about 70 per cent now living off-reserve in BC. These shifts in population challenge the Ministry to address the expanding need for service from the growing and youthful urban Aboriginal population. The general standard of living for BC's Aboriginal people is 20 per cent below that of other British Columbians. The provincial government has placed a high priority on improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people, directing the Ministry to work towards better coordination and integration of resources to meet the needs of Aboriginal people. Success in achieving these objectives depends largely on partnerships with other ministries, the federal government, and Aboriginal organizations and communities.

The strategies below are intended to improve the way that services are delivered and accessed by Aboriginal people and also to ensure that Aboriginal people have economic and social opportunities to improve their quality of life.

Strategies:: 1. Improve coordination and access to provincial programs and services that respond to the needs of Aboriginal people in British Columbia.; 2. Enhance the social and economic development opportunities for Aboriginal people in British Columbia.; 3. Partner with the federal government and Aboriginal communities to address the needs of Aboriginal people.; 4. Increase provincial involvement in the federal Urban Aboriginal Strategy.

Performance Measures	Baseline 2003/04	Target
Performance Measures	Baseline 2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
Outcome: Enhanced social and economic development opportunities for Aboriginal people, as measured by:
a) Number of jobs created and sustained through First Citizens Fund loans for business expansion and start-up; and	a) 382 annually¹	a) 350²	a) 350²	a) 350²
b) Number of Aboriginal businesses started or expanded through the First Citizens Fund	b) 149 annually¹	b) 150²	b) 150²	b) 150²
Output: Signed partnership agreements under the Aboriginal Employment Partnership Initiative³	7 agreements signed⁴	3 new 10 in total	3 new 13 in total	To be determined


¹	The baseline figures are an average of the previous five years. This is a better figure for estimating demand (compared to last year's service plan which reported a three-year average).
²	These targets are based on recent trends in the profiles of loan recipients, and projected demand.
³	Employers participating in the Aboriginal Employment Partnership Initiative include BC Region London Drugs, and the Royal Bank.
⁴	Since the inception of the program.

Objective 2:: Aboriginal communities and organizations are strengthened through language and culture preservation and increased ability to deliver culturally responsive programs and services.

Support for culturally appropriate services is a key strategy, leading to strengthened Aboriginal communities. Preservation of Aboriginal languages is critical to maintaining a strong sense of community and heritage.

Strategies:: 1. Support the preservation of Aboriginal languages through the First Peoples' Heritage, Language and Culture Council grant program.; 2. Increase capacity of Aboriginal organizations to design and deliver culturally responsive programs and services, including employment related partnerships and activities.¹⁰


¹⁰	Supports the 2004/05 – 2006/07 Government Strategic Plan strategy to "Promote the development of supports and services within Aboriginal Communities that address their unique social and economic conditions".

Performance Measure	Baseline 2003/04	Target
Performance Measure	Baseline 2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
Output: Number of language preservation projects funded through the First Peoples' Heritage, Language and Culture Council¹	37	40	40	40


¹	Number of language projects funded replaces the number of languages preserved and protected (as stated in last year's plan). This new measure is a more accurate statement of program activity.

Objective 3:: Vancouver's core neighbourhoods are revitalized and community capacity and social infrastructure are strengthened.

The Vancouver Agreement is a federal/provincial/municipal initiative to support sustainable development in Vancouver, particularly in the city's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood. This initiative has broad impact for many people and the community as a whole, as well as Aboriginal persons who live in the Downtown Eastside.

The strategies below ensure that through Vancouver Agreement partnerships, economic, social and health benefits are created in Vancouver's core communities. This work will be linked to the 2010 Olympic Games planning process so that direct and lasting benefits occur for these key communities before, during and after the 2010 Olympics.

Strategies:: 1. Implement economic, health and public safety initiatives through Vancouver Agreement partnerships.; 2. Collaborate with the Olympic Games Secretariat to maximize positive impacts on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside communities.; 3. Facilitate enhanced cultural diversity in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside communities and improve economic revitalization.

Performance Measure	Baseline 2003/04	Target
Performance Measure	Baseline 2003/04	2004/2005	2005/06	2006/07
Output: Number of new revitalization initiatives for Vancouver's Downtown Eastside¹	12 new initiatives.²	2 new	2 new	2 new


¹	Through the "Opportunities Starting Now" fund, potential legacies will be identified for low-income communities such as training and employment and targeted opportunities for women and youth.
²	The 2003/04 target of two initiatives was greatly surpassed, due to leveraged federal funding in support of the Vancouver Agreement and a number of unique partnership opportunities that arose.