Prepared for the Audit and Evaluation Branch and the Economic Development Branch, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Project Completion

June 2003

Background/Context

In June 1989, the Government of Canada initiated the Canadian Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy (CAEDS) to address the economic disparities between Aboriginal peoples and other Canadians. The overall goal was to help Aboriginal peoples achieve economic self-reliance. The CAEDS strategy gave various departments, including Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), the authority to introduce certain initiatives designed to help Aboriginal communities with community economic development. In response, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada implemented the Community Economic Development Program (CEDP) to aid in the development of Aboriginal community and resource development. This program has an annual national budget of $47 million, allocated to the regions through a per-capita formula based on Indian on-reserve and Inuit populations.

The program’s objective was to help First Nations and Inuit communities to achieve economic growth and self-reliance, allowing them to close the economic and employment gap evident between Aboriginal communities and other Canadian communities. This new program provided core funding for the development of Community Economic Development Organizations (CEDOs) as the primary delivery agents within (or on behalf of) the communities to promote community economic development. The program’s resources were intended to enable the CEDOs to help communities and their members engage in economic development planning and provide various advisory services, as well as providing employment support, business development training, and resource development.

Purpose of the Evaluation

This evaluation was implemented in an effort to assess the Community Economic Development Program’s performance. It was guided by a national CEDP Advisory Committee with a majority of Aboriginal representatives. The evaluation examined the program’s performance over the last six years, determined the progress resulting from the program, and provided recommendations to improve the success of the program.

Methodology

A number of research methods were utilized to collect and analyze the data required to address the evaluation issues. A review was conducted of relevant files and documents; an analysis was undertaken of the reporting data collected; interviews were conducted with key stakeholders; three types of focus groups were used; in-depth profiles were developed of the eighteen Community Economic Development Organizations involved; and Aboriginal groups were invited to prepare submissions on the progress of the project.

Summary

This evaluation used a participatory approach designed to enable key stakeholders to develop a common understanding of the program, the evaluation issues, the methodology to be developed, and the findings. This approach allowed the New Economy Group Evaluation Team to work in close contact with the Advisory Committee and stakeholders, helping the team form a progressive design strategy and generate a useful set of recommendations for the program’s renewal.