Employment and Employability  

To assist in your collecting information for the Courts, many First Nations and Native Friendship Centers keep statistics on the employment rate appropriate to their members, and the reason for the limited employment in the community, but remember be careful of the use of statistics.

 In a recent study conducted by the University of Ottawa September, 2013 they reported that 28% of Aboriginal people rely on social assistance for at least part of the year, compared to 8% of the non-aboriginal population.

The aboriginal unemployment rate is over 19%, twice the national average, well this rate increase to over 30% in First Nation communities. Remember quoting employment statistics does not tell the Court about

What the employment situation is in the community "this offender” resides in.

Does not tell the court about "this offender’s" employment situation and why they may not be fully employed.