Funding extended

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OTTAWA-The federal government has renewed its commitment to urban Aboriginal youth by extending the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres (UMAYC) Initiative two more years.

The program, which has been funding projects and activities benefiting urban Aboriginal youth since 1998, was scheduled to end this year. The goal of the project is to create a network of urban multipurpose centres across the country, providing community-based, culturally relevant and supportive youth projects.

The original budget was $100 million. The extension will see $23 million in funding made available in each of the two additional years, for a total new commitment of $46 million.

"The government of Canada is pleased to extend the UMAYC Initiative for two years and continue to meet the objectives of its youth agenda and Aboriginal action plan," Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps said after announcing the extension on April 1.