The aboriginal education gap is costing Saskatchewan a billion dollars yearly in economic impact, according to an aboriginal employment group.
The Saskatchewan Aboriginal Employment Partnership released City of Bridges: First Nations and Métis Economic Development in the Saskatoon Region on Monday that examined First Nations and Métis economic development.
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It found that if aboriginal workers had the same education level and income as non-aboriginals, their earnings would increase by roughly a billion dollars.
“It’s income and money for sure, but it’s also other opportunities, it’s social issues that will decrease as a result of those employment opportunities,” said Alex Fallon, CEO and president of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority.
The group says it will focus on molding programs that create job opportunities for aboriginal people.
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The aboriginal unemployment rate is roughly three times higher than the non-aboriginal rate in Saskatchewan.