SIMCOE, ONTARIO—The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced that the Government of Canada will invest $1 million through Canada's Sector Council Program to help create a new sector council for the agricultural industry. The new sector council will be named the Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council (CAHRC).
"Canada's new government has been getting things done by working with the agricultural industry, and today we are proud to announce the creation of the Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council," said Minister Finley. "This council will work to boost our agricultural work force by recruiting and retaining skilled workers." In 2005, the Canadian agricultural sector boasted a total labour force of 333,200 people.
The Council will include stakeholders in the production, cultivation, raising, growing, and harvesting of conventional and non-traditional agricultural commodities.
"The Canadian agricultural industry is being faced with long-term human resource challenges that will require a joint effort across the sector," said Danielle Vinette, Executive Director of the CAHRC. "The creation of the Council will provide an effective forum to foster such a co-operative effort."
Human Resources and Social Development Canada supports sector councils in various sectors of the Canadian labour market including automotive, biotechnology, steel, aviation, mining and petroleum.
The Government of Canada's Sector Council Program helps sector stakeholders to form partnerships that undertake work force skills development activities. Sector councils operate at arm's length from the government. They bring together industry leaders and educational stakeholders in key industries to share ideas, concerns and perspectives about human resources and skills issues, and find solutions that benefit the sector in a collective, collaborative and sustained manner.
Sector councils play a vital role in helping to strengthen and grow the Canadian labour market, thereby contributing to the productivity and competitiveness of the Canadian economy and standard of living of all Canadians.
- 30 -
For further information (media only):
Media Relations OfficeHuman Resources and Social Development Canada819-994-5559
The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and members of the council during the announcement of the creation of the Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council at Emre Farms in Simcoe, Ontario, Saturday, September 16, 2006. (CCNMATTHEWS PHOTO/ Human Resources and Social Development Canada)
The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and Chuck Emre, tour Emre Farms following the announcement of the creation of the Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council in Simcoe, Ontario, Saturday, September 16, 2006. (CCNMATTHEWS PHOTO/ Human Resources and Social Development Canada)
