St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, November 7, 2007— The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, today announced the signing of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement on the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW).
Under this agreement, the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are investing up to $2,586,697 and $492,704 respectively, for a total of $3,079,401, in community-based projects for unemployed older workers in the province (age 55 to 64). As well, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will be contributing up to $615,879 in program costs, for a total provincial contribution of $1,108,584. Unemployed older workers across Newfoundland and Labrador will be able to benefit from the Initiative's activities, including skills assessment and upgrading, counselling and work experience.
"The Government of Canada is committed to creating the best-educated, most-skilled and most flexible work force in the world, and that work force includes older workers," said Minister Hearn. "These community-based projects will help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians upgrade their skills, benefit from job counselling, and gain work experience."
The TIOW, which represents a $70-million federal commitment, provides programming until March 31, 2009. Under this initiative, the provinces and territories that choose to participate have responsibility for identifying vulnerable communities and project design and delivery. The participating provinces and territories will then work with organizations in affected communities to develop projects.
"Older workers are an important source of knowledge and experience," said Minister Skinner. "This agreement will allow us to design and deliver programming to help these workers remain competitive in our labour market, and to fully take advantage of their extensive experience."
The TIOW is part of the Government of Canada's two-part strategy for assisting older workers. In addition to the TIOW, an Expert Panel on Older Workers has been appointed to study labour market conditions affecting older workers. The Panel is looking at other potential measures to help older workers, including improved training. The TIOW offers programming to meet the immediate needs of unemployed older workers pending the outcome of the study.
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For further information (media only):
Ms. Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-4062
709-728-9623 (cell)
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
