LONDON, ONTARIO, July 25, 2008 - Forty London residents with intellectual disabilities will receive personalized counselling and assistance to help them get into the work force. The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced federal support for the training and development project led by Community Living London.
"The Government of Canada is committed to creating the best-educated, most-skilled and most flexible work force in the world," said Minister Toews. "The Transition to Community Employment project will help 40 Londoners with disabilities find and keep quality jobs and it will help local employers facing labour shortages and be good for the local economy."
Community Living London will receive a contribution of $131,510 from the federal government to deliver the Transition to Community Employment project. This project will be delivered in London, Ontario.
The Government of Canada supports this project through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. The Fund supports a wide range of employment activities for unemployed people with disabilities who are not normally eligible for Employment Insurance benefits under the Employment Insurance Act.
"Community Living London is very pleased to receive another year of funding for the Transition to Community Employment initiative," said Ms. Michelle Palmer, Executive Director of Community Living London. "This funding allows us to teach people with intellectual disabilities the skills required to obtain competitive employment within the London community."
With an annual budget of $30 million, the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities helps Canadians with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and retain employment or self reliance, thereby improving their economic situation.
The Fund works in partnership with organizations, including from the private sector, to support an array of activities such as increasing employability skills, providing work experience, and preparing individuals for self-employment.
In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada announced plans to make the costs of training that helps people cope with disabilities or disorders exempt from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). The Government also plans to expand the list of GST and HST-free medical and assistive devices to include service dogs. These commitments expand on the 2007 commitments to implement the Registered Disability Savings Plan, which will help individuals save money to care for children with severe disabilities, and to introduce the $45-million Enabling Accessibility Fund, which will improve physical accessibility for people with disabilities.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Lesley Harmer
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
