Roy says Outreach funding secure

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CALGARY - With the many scheduled cutbacks in government services throughout Alberta, fears that the Native Outreach Association would have its funding drastically cut were allayed by Chief Executive Officer Laurent Roy last week in Calgary.

Roy, who was in town to attend the Calgry Outreach office open house January 22, pointed out that in carrying out its mandate of placing Native people into employment along with promoting the hiring of Native people, the association has saved the govern-ment many millions of dollars each year.

"The seven offices, which placed about 1,360 Native people into jobs and provided 14,000 job-related services last year, provide a tremendous service for the government," said Roy.

This service saved the government about $6 million in welfare payments, and because these people are working and contributing to society, the economy actually benefits by a further 7 million, Roy added.

However, Roy concedes that the government may well make cuts in the Outreach budget, and that he and other members of the association have attended several meetings with government officials.

"We have discussed the options that could be exercised by both parties and we are in the process of developing strategies that will address these concerns," he said.

Nevertheless, maintains Roy, the outlook is favorable.

"I don't see any region being closed or any Outreach employee being redeployed. The administration is prepared to handle any cutbacks.

Roy points out that in many respects, the government is obliged to maintain funding to the association, not only because of obvious financial reasons, but also from a moral standpoint.

"Rick Orman, minister of Manpower, has made a statement that the government has a moral and social obligation to the less fortunate, including Natives.

Native employment is a high priority."

However, Roy is concerned over a recent announcement that the government is considering putting welfare recipients to work.

"These welfare clients will absorb many jobs. Where does that leave our clients?"

Roy also expressed concern over the proposed federal law called the Employee Equity Act which would monitor corporations which hire more than 100 people in order to ensure that these companies hire people from minority groups.

"This bill has no claws," charges Roy. "It doesn't go far enough in addressing the problems of Native people. The concept has some good highlights, but it is not as strong as an affirmative action law."

An affirmative action law was passed in the United States more than 10 years ago. It ensures that a certain percentage of employees are chosen from visible minorities such as women, Natives and black people.

And these new laws, if enacted, could affect many people, especially while Alberta has such a high unemployment rate.

"Eighteen months ago we predicted that there would be a 35 per cent decease in Native employment because of the economic downturn. But because of hard work and a new management style with Outreach, this has been reduced to about 20 per cent," adds Roy.

The highest unemployment rate is in Edmonton, with Calgary running a close second.

"Edmonton always seems to suffer. It appears Edmonton is always hit first and the other centres follow later."

However, smaller centres which do not base their economy on the energy industry have not been so badly affected.

"Lethbridge continues at a fury because its economy is based on agriculture," says Roy.

Roy became chief executive officer in October 1986, and since then has stream-lined the operation of Outreach to improve effectiveness.

"We revamped the whole operation and got rid of a lot of outdated systems and methods," he said.

"We want to ensure that the services in place which are required to reach the eventual goals of the client, the support systems and follow-up counselling, continue to be the heart and soul of the operation," adds Roy.

Edmonton Director of Operations Ron Vivier echoes Roy'ssentiments and points out that this was the main reason behind the annual open house event.

"We want to attract both Native and non-Native people. We want their input and we want to make sure they all know where we are."

The Calgary Native Outreach office has held an annual open house for the past five years. This year the centre attracted more than 100 visitors who participated in several presentations, including a slide show spotlighting Native employment opportunities.