Governments of Canada and Yukon announce agreements to help Canadians improve their skills and prepare for the future of work with good-quality jobs

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

News release

An estimated 600 workers in Yukon to benefit

June 26, 2019                        Whitehorse, Yukon                        Employment and Social Development Canada

As innovation and technology continue to change how we live and work, Canadian workers are met with new challenges and opportunities. That is why it is more important than ever before to ensure Canadians benefit from an innovation-driven economy—and it means ensuring both employed and unemployed individuals have a chance to learn the skills they will need for the jobs of today, as well as the jobs of tomorrow.

Today, Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, along with the Honourable Tracy-Anne McPhee, Yukon’s Minister of Education, announced the two governments have signed agreements that will see Canada provide Yukon with approximately $45 million over six years to invest in Yukon’s workers.

These agreements represent an increase in funding of nearly $6 million over the period, compared to previous funding levels. These new investments will benefit an estimated 600 more workers over the six years with more jobs and training available to people living in Yukon including skills development, apprenticeship training, on-the-job experience, workplace accommodations, employment services for job seekers and more.

Through these agreements, the Government of Canada is helping more people benefit from skills training and employment supports—including Canadians from groups typically under‑represented in the workforce, such as persons with disabilities, women and Indigenous people.

The agreements announced today include the new Workforce Development Agreement (WDA) and the amended Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA). Over six years (2017–18 to 2022–23), Yukon is receiving approximately $45 million: close to $18 million through the WDA and more than $27 million through the LMDA.

The Government of Yukon is currently working to grow and expand programming opportunities offered through the WDA and the LMDA that meet the diverse needs of Yukon First Nations, employers and service organizations. Training and services offered in Yukon through labour market agreements with the Government of Canada include:

  • training for employment;
  • financial support for apprenticeships;
  • supports for workplace accommodations, such as specialized equipment or personal supports like tutors or job coaches;
  • work experience opportunities;
  • employment assistance services;
  • labour market research; and
  • programs that connect employers to job seekers.

The Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon will report results to Canadians about the impacts of skills training programs. Performance reviews will focus on: how these programs increase people’s earnings; improvement opportunities; outcomes for Yukon workers joining or remaining within the labour market; and access to employment opportunities for under‑represented groups.

Every Canadian deserves a fair and equal chance at success in the workforce. Through investments like the labour market agreements announced today, we strengthen our middle class and help more people working hard to join it.

Quotes

"The economy is moving in the right direction, and we need a labour market that is inclusive and equipped with flexible skills training supports that meet the needs of the provinces and territories. Through investments like today's agreements with Yukon, our Government is ensuring Canadians continue to be competitive, resilient and responsive as the jobs of today evolve and our economy continues to grow."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

“These new agreements are timely given Yukon’s very low unemployment rate. They will provide more funding and flexibility to work together with Yukon job seekers, employers, service organizations and Yukon First Nations to meet their diverse local needs and strengthen Yukon’s labour market. Our government is proud to support programs and initiatives that increase the knowledge and skills of workers and provide a greater pool of qualified workers in the territory.”
– The Honourable Tracy-Anne McPhee, Minister of Education, Government of Yukon

“The Government of Canada understands how important training and retraining are in today’s competitive job market. That is why I am proud to take part in today’s signing of the Labour Market Development Agreement between the governments of Canada and Yukon. Over six years, Yukoners will benefit from $45 million in employment supports.”
– Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada transfers nearly $3 billion annually to provinces and territories to support employment and skills training programs.

  • Through Budget 2017, the Government is investing an additional $2.7 billion from 2017–18 to 2022–23:

    • $900 million over a period of six years (in addition to the $722 million provided annually) in new WDAs consolidating funding from the Canada Job Fund Agreements, the Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities (expired March 2017) and the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (expired March 2017); and
    • $1.8 billion over six years in amended LMDAs to provinces and territories in addition to the $2.14 billion provided annually.

  • From 2017–18 to 2022–23, the Government of Canada will invest approximately $20 billion in WDAs and LMDAs with provinces and territories.

  • Provincial and territorial governments will have greater flexibility in the design and delivery of programming and services to respond to the diverse and emerging needs of Canadians.

  • The Government of Yukon currently uses labour market funding from the Government of Canada to support organizations and initiatives, such as:

    •  Employment Central;
    • Skookum Jim Friendship Centre’s Youth Employment Centre;
    • Kwanlin Dün First Nation’s House of Learning, Traditional Knowledge, Education and Employment Training Program;
    • Yukon College’s Older Workers Program; and
    • direct help to individuals for skills training including workplace supports.

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Contacts

For media enquiries, please contact:

Véronique Simard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
veronique.simard@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
819-654-5611

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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Susan Moorhead Mooney
Office of the Honourable Larry Bagnell P.C., M.P.
867-668-6565
larry.bagnell.c1@parl.gc.ca

Matthew Cameron
Cabinet Communications, Government of Yukon
867-393-7136
matthew.cameron@gov.yk.ca

Kyle Nightingale
Communications, Education
867-336-0653
kyle.nightingale@gov.yk.ca

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