Vanguard Magazine

T Technology Watch www.vanguardcanada.com aPRiL/may 2016 45 mentation, we are using innovative ideas such as organizing Canada's first Aborigi- nal-focused business accelerator program. This 10-week program targets aerospace and defence and has a number of OEMs as partners as well as the New Brunswick Aerospace and Defence Association, Ab- original Tribal Councils, and various levels of government and BMO. "Our clients would benefit tremen- dously by having long-term contracts where they could use the funds to reinvest in their businesses such as by improving their use of technology," said Mark Taylor. "For example, we have two CNC machin- ing clients who could benefit from new technology. He said encouraging clients to invest in technology helps them move up the value chain tremendously. For example, one CNC machining client of JEDI has attracted the attention of a large OEM this past year because the client had ex- perience, talent and expressed a desire to invest in technology to improve its opera- tions. Finally, JEDI is introducing a new op- portunity to Aboriginal businesses and communities in New Brunswick. The aerospace and defence industry holds tremendous opportunity for them and many people are interested. However, the industry must show that it is inter- ested in supporting Aboriginal businesses and communities in New Brunswick. The Government of Canada can encourage this by ensuring offset policies and pro- grams have a strong focus on Aboriginal economic development. Other Canadian Aboriginal businesses that have been quite active in the indus- try are Nuna, Porcupine Canvas, and Toolcomm, along with over 100 CCAB- certified Aboriginal-owned businesses and more than 1,000 self-described Aborigi- nal-owned businesses. Lastly, OMX's strategic partner, MNP LLP is a leader in capacity building, sup- plier development and advising Aborigi- nal-owned businesses. Also a CCAB member, MNP supports the TFab (Tools for Aboriginal business- es) program by providing various advisory services in areas such as accounting, taxa- tion, and others. Operating for more than 25 years, MNP has embraced the opportunity to work with Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Based on MNP's diverse body of work within the Aboriginal community, they have honed their skills and expertise to create a very specialized understanding of how to work within a broad range of con- ditions that often exist exclusively within this business environment. This has made MNP the preferred firm of over 250 Ab- original groups, including First Nations, tribal councils, organizations and First Nation communities, as well as individual business owners. "We are a proud supporter and found- ing sponsor of the OMX platform – and we have been working in collaboration with the OMX team to offer valuable insight and information to the Aboriginal commu- nity," according to Mike Perron, leader of the Aboriginal consulting group at MNP. " MNP is looking forward to working more collaboratively with both OMX and the CCAB now and in the future". But I am the first to admit, there is still a lot more work that we all need to do to- gether.

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