June 27, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia-Sixty aspiring entrepreneurs in the Peace Liard region will have the opportunity to develop their business skills and start their own businesses, thanks to a federal program. Jay Hill, Secretary of State and Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development .
"The Government of Canada is committed to creating the best educated, most skilled, and most flexible work force in the world," said Mr. Hill. "This project will allow local entrepreneurs to increase their business knowledge and help build a more productive local economy."
The Community Futures Development Corporation of Peace Liard will receive $886,226 in funding through Service Canada's Community Coordinator-Self-Employment Assistance program. This funding will be used to provide business counselling and financial support to help 60 individuals in Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek, Tumbler Ridge, Chetwynd, Taylor, and the surrounding area develop and implement a business plan.
"This funding will help Community Futures to assist people in the Peace Liard area to improve their business knowledge and become self employed," said Sue Kenney, General Manager, Community Futures Peace Liard. "We are very pleased to be able to offer these services with the support of the Government of Canada."
The Self-Employment Assistance program supports projects aimed at helping insured participants gain the skills they need to become self-employed. Self-Employment Assistance a ctivities include providing clients with information about the labour market, and helping them develop business concepts and business plans.
This project reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to creating a strong economy for all Canadians. Through its Advantage Canada plan, the Government is building on Canada's strengths and gaining a global competitive advantage by reducing taxes for all Canadians, increasing competition in the marketplace, and building modern infrastructure.
Service Canada brings Government of Canada services and benefits together in a single delivery network. It provides Canadians with one-stop service they can access however they choose-by phone at 1 800 O-Canada, on the Internet at servicecanada.gc.ca, or in person at Service Canada Centres across the country.
A backgrounder is attached.
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Backgrounder
Community Coordinator - Self-Employment Assistance Program
Community Coordinators are organizations that receive funding from Service Canada to deliver employment-related assistance through their own programming to their own clients. The Community Coordinator's programs must be similar to those run by the Employment Insurance (EI) Commission, and must develop funding guidelines that reflect those of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC).
Community Coordinators providing services under the Self-Employment Assistance program support projects aimed at helping insured participants gain the skills they need to become self-employed. Self-Employment Assistance a ctivities include providing clients with information about the labour market, and helping them develop business concepts and business plans.
