OTTAWA, ONTARIO, November 22, 2007 — The Government of Canada is helping Canadians with disabilities develop the skills they need to find and keep good quality jobs. Today, the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development announced support for Canadians with disabilities to help them develop skills and secure meaningful, long-term employment.
"Our Government is working with the provinces and territories to support programs and services to help Canadians with disabilities secure better jobs and build better lives," said Minister Solberg. "By providing persons with disabilities training that employers are looking for and the support they need to fully participate in the workplace, everyone wins."
Through the Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities, the federal government works with provinces and territories to put in place programs to assist people with disabilities to overcome barriers and become active in the labour force. These agreements, which have now been extended until March 31, 2009, support a broad range of provincially delivered programs and services, including: job coaching and mentoring; pre-employment training and skills upgrading; post-secondary education; and a variety of workplace supports.
Today's investment of $223 million also reflects the goals of Advantage Canada, the Government's economic plan, to create the best-educated, most-skilled, and most flexible workforce in the world and identifies people with disabilities as one of the groups facing unique challenges to labour market participation.
Budget 2007 committed $3 billion over six years, $500 million per year, in a comprehensive new labour market program to improve skill levels. The goal of these new investments is to help deal with the demand for workers by maximizing the contribution of the existing labour force and increasing the participation of those groups currently under-represented in the labour market, including persons with disabilities.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For more information (media only):
Lesley Harmer
Director of Communications
Office of Monte Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
