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March 12, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04-13
OTTAWA, ONTARIO- The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State for Children and Youth, today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, Government of Canada funding of $98,626 for the Canadian Diamond Industry Scoping and Scanning project funded under the Sector Council Program.
"Our commitment toward a strong economy in Northern Canada centres on the creation of well-paying and meaningful work in all regions of the country," said Minister Blondin-Andrew.
"Diamond mining is a new and exciting part of the Canadian primary industrial sector that holds great promise for the future," said Minister Volpe. "This project will help shape the course of the diamond mining sector by providing much needed labour market and human resources information to the Council. Our efforts with all the sector councils, which now represent 25% of all Canadian workers, are an important part of our commitment to skills development for all Canadians."
The Canadian Diamond Industry Scoping and Scanning project has three main objectives: to develop a profile of the Canadian diamond industry and its principal human resources issues, from exploration to retail; to develop an information gap analysis so that the industry can elaborate a human resources strategy; and to provide options for implementing a human resources strategy, including a vertical analysis of the industry and links to existing organizations.
The Canadian Diamond Council (CDC) is a national organization with the mandate to address skills issues. The CDC strives to represent all constituents of the diamond industry in Canada, from exploration to mining, to the secondary industry and through to wholesale and retail. While not a sector council itself, this organization works with various industrial/occupational sector councils to address issues related to the diamond industry.
"As with any business, the human resources factor is of prime importance to the growth of the diamond industry," said Gordon Bolt, Chair of the Steering Committee for the Canadian Diamond Council. "With the support of federal and territorial governments, the Canadian Diamond Council Steering Committee includes representatives from all facets of the diamond industry-from exploration and mining, to manufacturing and retail, and education and apprenticeship. The objective of this multidisciplinary collaboration is to analyze, improve and execute efficient human resources development strategies that will help build the Canadian diamond industry into a profitable, sustainable and globally competitive enterprise."
The Government of Canada, through the Sector Council Program (SCP), supports sector councils and sectoral initiatives, and the work they do in helping address human resources and skills issues in Canada's labour market.
As mentioned in the 2004 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada is committed to refine and enhance its programs to encourage skills upgrading, in concert with sector councils, unions and businesses.
The Government has pledged to work with the provinces, sector councils, labour organizations and learning institutions to create the skills and learning architecture that Canada needs to promote and support workplace learning.
Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.
This project is in compliance with all departmental administrative rules governing grants and contributions, provisions of the Financial Administration Act and is subject to review to ensure compliance with the objectives of the program.
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For more information:
Stephanie Lewis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
(819) 994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
