OTTAWA, ONTARIO, July 24, 2008 - The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Developme ent, and the Honourable Murray Coell, British Columbia's Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, Co-chairs of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM), today announced that Don Drummond, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist o f the TD Bank Financial Group, and former Associate Deputy Minister of Finance Canada, will chair an Advisory Panel on Labour Market Information.
"Providing timely and relevant labour market information to all Canadians is critical to our gover nment's goal of creating the best-educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world," said Minister Solberg. "Mr. Drummond's demonstrated leadership in the private and public sector and his knowledge of the competitive challenges facing Cana da make him ideally positioned to lead this important work."
The five-member panel will advise federal, provincial and territorial ministers on how labour market information can contribute to Canada's economic growth and efficiency over the nex t decade and better respond to the growing information and planning needs of employers, workers and learners. The panel will report back to the FLMM by the spring of 2009.
"All provinces are keenly interested in addressing the twin challenges po sed by global competition and an aging workforce," noted Minister Coell, FLMM provincial Co-chair. "Under Mr. Drummond's leadership, the advisory panel will examine labour market information and determine the best options to support the growth of the skil led labour pool needed by all employers."
"Good labour market information is critical to the success of today's businesses, workers, learners and governments," said Mr. Drummond. "I am very pleased to be chairing this panel and look forward to w orking with my colleagues on this important undertaking."
The FLMM is comprised of the labour market ministers from the provinces, the territories and the federal government. It was established in 1983 to promote inter jurisdictional discussion and cooperation on labour market issues.
Labour market information includes any data, information or analyses that can assist Canadians in making informed decisions or plans related to:
- learning, training and skills development;
- employment, job searches and career planning;
- staff recruitment, retention and related business decisions;
- public policy development and programming; and
- workforce investment strategies.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
Attachment: Backgrounder - Advisory Panel on Labour Market Information
For further information (media only):
Le sley Harmer
Minister Solberg's Office
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
Richard Chambers
B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Develo pment
250-952-6508