Province to partner with Terrace based Driving Academy to deliver Free Indigenous driving training in Northwest

BC NDP Minister Melanie Mark
introduced a new Driver program
for Indigenous communities today

Improving access to driver training theme for a BC government announcement today, as Melanie Mark, the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training outlined the details of a new program to provide for Free Driver Training for Indigenous communities across the Northwest.

The announcement this afternoon from Terrace, provided the details to the $360,000 program to assist participants in securing the Class 7 Learner and Novice Drivers licences.

The funding comes as a follow up to a previous $80,000 that has already been provided and helped 214 people gain driver training.

“Improving access to driver training in Indigenous communities was a clear call to action and systemic concern that First Nations leaders have raised with me. Opening doors for individuals in more rural areas provides them access to the training and skills required to be independent members of their communities. This expanded support will also empower Indigenous peoples, especially women, to travel with a greater sense of safety along the Highway 16 corridor.” -- Melanie Mark,  Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.

As part of the program, the province will partner with Terrace based All Nations Driving Academy to deliver the training in the Indigenous communities of the Northwest.

The goal of the program is to address some of the findings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, as well as to give Indigenous communities opportunity to access the anticipated 12,900 job openings expected for the North Coast and Nechako regions.

It's expected that more than 1,000 residents of Indigenous communities across the Northwest will benefit from this next phase of the driver training program.

“Studies have shown that between 5% and 45% of Indigenous peoples living on reserves do not have their driver’s licence, which can significantly reduce options for employment. We hear over and over from our participants that obtaining their licence has had a profound impact on their livelihood, helps families stay connected and makes travel safer for everyone.” -- Lucy Sager, CEO of All Nations Driving Academy. 

So far a large number of Indigenous communities have benefited from the first instalment of the driver training program with ANDA, including the communities of Metlakatla, Lax Kw'alaams and members of the Nisga'a Nation on the North Coast.

The Full background to today's announcement can be reviewed here.

More items of interest on provincial government initiatives can be found from our Legislature Archive page.

To view the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.