The Clarence Campeau Development Fund (“CCDF”) recently engaged the firms of MNP LLP (“MNP”) and Northern Research Group Inc. (“NRG”) to conduct two distinct but related evaluations of the Fund and its outcomes. These reports have recently been made public and the results are staggering and further proof that CCDF remains a national leader in Aboriginal financing and economic development. The results from the activities conducted for the socioeconomic impact study compiled by NRG confirm that CCDF generates tremendous benefits for the Province of Saskatchewan as a whole and particularly for the Métis people of Saskatchewan.

The first was an independent evaluation of CCDF’s performance during the period of 2009 to 2013 which was compiled by MNP. The second was a study completed by NRG on the Socioeconomic Impact of Métis Entrepreneurship and Economic Development in Saskatchewan from 1998 to 2013.

The results may be surprising to some, but not to CCDF Chief Executive Officer, Roland Duplessis. “We know CCDF has had a great impact over the last 17 years but when you see it in an independent evaluation it is very impressive. For every dollar CCDF advances, there’s $11.91 in socio-economic benefit created. If you look at just the GDP on the Fund review side, it is $3.31 created. Both of those numbers are worth talking about,” said Duplessis in an interview with Eagle Feather News. If you spread those numbers out over the life span of the Fund, the impact has been over $660 million dollars. “The Fund has been a major player in economic development for Métis people and for the Province of Saskatchewan,” added Duplessis. Also the socioeconomic impact study, conducted by NRG, confirms that CCDF generates tremendous social benefits for the Province of Saskatchewan as a whole and particularly for the Métis people of Saskatchewan in the areas of education, health, sports, leisure and recreation.

The Fund has grown over the past 17 years to an equity base of $28 million with $15 million in loan receivables. Remarkably, the Fund has less than a 2% annual write-off over the course of its 17 years. This is a testament to the work and commitment of the CCDF staff to their clients and the relationships they’ve built with their clients over the years.

One of the programs that has experienced a lot of success in the past four years is the Métis Energy and Resource Program. Commonly referred to as MERP, the program that was established as a joint initiative with the federal government, has now expanded beyond just energy and resource projects. “We now offer support for large scale projects,” said Steve Danners, Director of MERP. “Not every Metis Local or Region is going to qualify since the program is directly related to the readiness of the client and opportunities that are available. We place an emphasis on capacity assessment and business readiness and encourage joint ventures and partnerships.

CCDF, with the support of the Province, is currently undertaking a study to determine the economic development capacity of the Métis in the province. This important study is being conducted by Northern Research Group Inc., a Métis owned consulting firm headquartered in Prince Albert. “We know there are a number of Métis development corporations and communities in the province. What we don’t know is exactly what stage of business readiness exists and what is the capacity to do business when opportunity presents itself.” said Duplessis. “Once this study is completed we will be in a much better position to determine what is required and the level of funding needed to assist in preparing our people and communities so that they can access contracts through procurement or direct bid.”

Monica Brunet, Director of the Métis Economic Development Sector, reinforces that CCDF is a real Métis success story. “The Fund has experienced significant growth over the last 17 years creating over 7400 direct and indirect full and part time jobs.” The recent report supports her opinion of the capacity of the Fund. “CCDF has continued to demonstrate that it has a professional and robust capacity and systems for governance and management. The organization continues to deliver consistent and strong financial results and outcomes. It is well positioned for sustainability in the next few years and is an ideal receptor organization for additional funding” it says in the executive summary. “What we do has created healthy families and a strong Métis economy in Saskatchewan,” added Brunet. “We are known as Canada’s leading Métis financial institution and others have been built on our model, but what made me very proud was when the report pointed out that our biggest strength was our people. Our board and our staff are outstanding and I think the results of this report make that clear. ”

CEO Roland Duplessis

Steve Danners, Director of MERP