Metis education and training services still available under plan

Metis people living in Saskatchewan will continue to have access to education and training services despite the government's decision to sever its ties with the Metis Employment and Training of Saskatchewan Inc. (METSI), Diane Finley, the minister of Human Resources and Social Development announced.

Up until March 31, METSI, the employment and training arm of the Metis Nation- Saskatchewan (MNS), had provided these services to the province's Metis people under the federal department's Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy. When the contract with METSI for provision of those services expired, the department chose not to renew, citing concerns about the organization's "history of financial irregularities, ongoing MNS/METSI police investigations and previous criminal investigations."

When the decision was made not to renew the contract with METSI, responsibility for delivering employment and training services was given to Deloitte & Touche. On Aug. 22, Finley announced services will now be provided through the 20 Canada-Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services offices across the province.

"Canada's new government is committed to ensuring that Metis people in Saskatchewan can continue to access the services they need to help them prepare for and find employment," Finley said. "Our mission is to build a stronger Canada, and a strong country begins with a strong labour force."

To locate the Canada-Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services office nearest you, go to www.sasknetwork.ca/html/Home/cansask/locations.htm.