August 28, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAMPBELLTON, New Brunswick - Residents of Bathurst and the Pabineau First Nation will get help to find good jobs and to break free from the cycle of poverty and homelessness, thanks to federal support for three projects. Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.
"We are proud to support community efforts that help find local solutions to local problems," said Mr. Allen. "Through our investments today, we will help people get the skills they need to find and keep good jobs. That's good news for the individuals, for the businesses that need workers, and for our community as a whole."
The Government of Canada is committing $112,496 in funding to Les Entreprises Synergie Limitée to help 10 young people gain practical work experience and instruction on leadership, communication, and how to find a job. The Pabineau First Nation will also receive $55,673 in funding to help three Aboriginal youth gain valuable work experience in the construction, forestry, and administrative fields.
The federal government is funding these projects through Service Canada's Skills Link program, one of Canada's youth employment programs.
Through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, the Pabineau First Nation will also receive more than $55,000 in funding to develop a strategy to provide solutions to housing issues affecting First Nation youth living off-reserve. The funding will also be used for outreach services for youth who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, to help them become more self-sufficient.
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is providing $269.6 million over two years to help communities across Canada combat homelessness more effectively. The HPS provides structures and supports that help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless get back on their feet and participate in society.
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 by phone at 1 800 O Canada, online at servicecanada.gc.ca, or in person at Service Canada Centres across the country.
A backgrounder is attached.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request. Call 1-800-788-8282 on a touch-tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).
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youth.gc.ca
Skills Link
The Skills Link program is one of three Government of Canada programs that help young Canadians (aged 15 to 30) obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs, and stay employed. The two other programs are Summer Work Experience and Career Focus.
Skills Link focuses on helping young people who face barriers to employment. These young people include high school drop-outs, single parents, Aboriginal youth, young people with disabilities, youth in rural areas, and recent immigrants. Summer Work Experience helps secondary and post-secondary students find summer jobs. Career Focus helps post-secondary graduates develop advanced skills and find careers in their fields. All three programs provide a range of activities that can be tailored to meet individual needs.
Projects funded under the Skills Link program have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's grants and contributions programs, and are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.
Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS)
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) began on April 1, 2007, and is providing $269.6 million over two years to prevent and reduce homelessness in Canada. The HPS is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness in Canada by providing funding and direct support to more than 60 communities across Canada.
Under the HPS, the Government of Canada is offering to work in partnership with all the provinces and territories. Once put in place, such partnerships would encourage better alignment of federal and provincial/territorial investments, and help to provide a seamless continuum of supports for homeless people.
The HPS has three main initiatives: the Homelessness Partnership Initiative (HPI), the Homelessness Accountability Network, and the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative.
The Homelessness Partnership Initiative is the cornerstone of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. Its housing-first approach recognizes that the first step is to provide individuals with transitional and supportive housing.
The HPI has four funding components:
- designated communities;
- outreach communities;
- Aboriginal communities; and
- federal horizontal pilot projects.
The Homelessness Accountability Network helps to strengthen program accountability. It also develops knowledge and encourages organizations to reinforce their networks and share best practices.
The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative makes surplus federal property as well as land available to community organizations, the not-for-profit sector, and other levels of government for projects to prevent and reduce homelessness.
