Category Archives: News releases

ELSIPOGTOG FIRST NATION, N.B. – Elsipogtog First Nation has partnered with a local female-owned and managed construction firm to encourage Indigenous women to enter the construction trades.

“Our community has a housing shortage,” says Lynn Francis, Director of Economic Development for Elsipogtog First Nation. “As well, there’s huge demand for construction workers. As we’re always looking for more career opportunities for members of our community, we thought that training women for work in the construction trades would be a perfect fit.”

“The entire construction industry is currently experiencing a significant labour shortage during an exceptionally busy time,” says Donna Ferguson, President of SheBuilds located in Dieppe, whose mostly female team is working with – and providing on-the-job apprenticeships to – three young Indigenous women from Elsipogtog as they work to achieve their Red Seal certifications. “One way this shortage is going to be relieved is for more women to enter it. And Indigenous women should be given every chance to be part of the equation. They just need to have it on their radar, so to speak. Partnering with Elsipogtog is a start!”

“If the construction industry is going to expand its workforce, it must be more welcoming to women,” she says. “There’s a large pool of women who don’t even consider the construction trades. And for Indigenous women, that’s likely amplified. We’re aiming to change that.”

A Red Seal endorsement is a seal on a professional construction worker’s provincial or territorial trade certificate which shows that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to practise their trade across Canada. Students earn Red Seal endorsements by successfully completing a rigorous education process of classroom theory, on-the-job apprenticeships and exams.

“A Red Seal construction worker can have a great career ahead of them and leave a legacy of homes, commercial buildings and other structures that will stand for generations to come,” Ms. Ferguson says. “I’m pleased to work with three talented and determined young women from Elsipogtog – Olivia Gehue, Devonya Levi and Diana Augustine – who’ve proven that they’re dedicated and motivated for careers in construction. We’re proud to provide them with apprenticeship mentoring as they work toward earning their Red Seals through the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Training and Labour.”

This training opportunity has been made possible through the collaboration of Elsipogtog Economic Development’s partners, including McGraw Housing, Mic Mac Industries, SheBuilds and the Elsipogtog Housing Department. Elsipogtog is the largest First Nations community in the province, with a population of 3,500 – 2,700 of whom live on reserve. The community is growing fast and has a young age demographic.

“The more community members we have who are properly trained and licensed in the construction trades, the more we can involve them in helping their own community,” says Mark Augustine, Elsipogtog’s Senior Employment and Training Officer. “The three young women we’ve sponsored will have secure jobs in the construction trades, whether they work in the community or on projects outside of it. It’s in the best interest of everyone that we do everything we can to help them succeed.”

“Many construction companies want to take advantage of the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation’s Housing Internship for Indigenous Youth (HIIY),” Mr. Augustine says. “This is a great program that provides a wage subsidy to housing organizations and businesses to hire Indigenous youth for internship positions. As the construction workforce crisis grows, we know that companies will be looking for more options. We’re happy to help them – and we’re happy to help our Indigenous youth discover careers that they may have previously thought were not possible. In fact, everything is possible!”

“The construction industry is a male-dominated industry,” says Ms. Ferguson. “As a woman who runs my own construction company, I’ve seen how intimidating the industry can be to women. Everyone says they’re concerned about the labour shortage, but attitudes will need to change because women are an untapped resource. This is as simple as suspending our pre-conceived notions of what tradespeople look like – long enough to give women an opportunity to prove they belong and can thrive.”

Already, SheBuilds has constructed three new homes in Elsipogtog using the three female apprentices. “By ensuring that they are properly trained and mentored, we help them succeed,” Ms. Ferguson says. “This, in turn, makes them ambassadors for the trades among Indigenous People – especially women. That’s how we break down barriers and bring more women and Indigenous People into the construction industry. The demand for workers is significant and traditional roadblocks need to be removed. Elsipogtog should be commended for their forward-thinking determination in this regard.”

“Every generation gets more accepting of new things,” says Ms. Francis, who leads the team seeking to enhance the economic strength of the Elsipogtog First Nation. “We hope that, as society evolves, Elsipogtog will be able to contribute to the goal of expanding the number of women in the construction trades. In turn, they’ll be motivated to help their own community in our own construction projects, as well as elsewhere. It’s a win-win for all.”

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Media contact:

Brian Cormier
506.874.8725
brian@briancormier.com

I am pleased and honoured to be part of the campaign cabinet for the initiative announced yesterday to raise funds for Ukrainian families relocating to the Greater Moncton area after fleeing the Russian invasion of their country. For donation information, please check out the news release below and check out these resources:

• Campaign information booklet (PDF)
• Pledge form (PDF)

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate Release
April 13, 2022

Campaign launched in Southeast New Brunswick for Ukrainian families fleeing war

Moncton, N.B. — The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton in collaboration with BrainWorks Marketing and United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick officially launched a major community initiative to support Ukrainian families during a press conference at Moncton City Hall this afternoon.

After two years of absence, “Greater Moncton Gives Back” returns under the Greater Moncton and Southeast New Brunswick Give Back banner. The goal of the campaign is to raise a minimum of $1 million in funds to support resettlement of Ukrainian families who will arrive in the next few months in Southeast New Brunswick.

Ukrainians fleeing war will be coming to Canada, mainly women, children and the elderly. Hundreds of them will be coming to Southeast New Brunswick in the coming weeks and months and some have already arrived over the past few weeks. The funds will be used to help newcomers in many ways – housing, food, transportation, clothing, education, medical and other resettlement and living costs

“Heartfelt appreciation to all those supporting Ukrainians with such wonderful HOPE. Canada symbolized freedom and opportunity to our parents and we pray for Ukraine’s right for freedom. Slava Ukraini!” said Danica Lahanky Carroll and Gordon Lahanky, Campaign Honorary Co-Chairs.

The fundraising effort will be led by a Campaign Cabinet co-chaired by Tracy Clinch and Luigi Rocca who have assembled a team of over 30 volunteer cabinet members who will each reach out to their contacts in the community. A broader community focused campaign will be announced in about 10 days time.

One hundred percent of the funds raised will go towards these campaign goals as the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick is waiving any administration fees. – and BrainWorks and CCGM will also waive all fees and production costs associated with their involvement in the campaign. Funds raised will be used by frontline agencies who will be coordinating support to the Ukrainian families such as MAGMA and others.

“The situation in Ukraine has delivered a daily shock to those of us who live safely here in Atlantic Canada. The needs will be great for the hundreds of Ukrainian families fleeing war to find a safe, new life here in southeast New Brunswick,” said John Wishart, CEO of the Chamber. “As a Chamber of Commerce, we feel it is important that our business community steps up to meet those needs and provide a better life for our Ukrainian newcomers.”

“Surely it is our duty, our responsibility and our deep privilege to help others whenever and however we can. This is our individual and collective calling,” said David Hawkins, Founding Partner at BrainWorks.

Myla Muntyan, president of the Ukrainian Club of Moncton, says the campaign will be vital to welcome Ukrainians coming to Southeast New Brunswick.

“4.5 million Ukrainians have already left their homeland in search of safety. Let’s welcome those who choose New Brunswick to be their new home. Let’s help them during the darkest times to get on their feet so they can stay here and become a part of our community.”

The business community and the community at large are encouraged to give generously and to share information about the campaign with their friends and family.

Details on how to donate can be found here: www.ukrainesenb.ca. More information can also be obtained by contacting the Chamber of Commerce office at (506) 857-2883 or via email at info@ccgm.ca

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For more information:

John Wishart
CEO
Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton
(506) 856-4000
jwishart@ccgm.ca

David Hawkins
Founding Partner
BrainWorks Marketing
(506) 850-1651
david@BrainWorksmarketing.ca

Danny Bazin
Brand Expressionist
BrainWorks Marketing
(506) 232-5584
danny@brainworksmarketing.ca