September 5, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CLARENVILLE, Newfoundland and Labrador - More than 1500 people in the Clarenville area who are currently unemployed will get help to enter the work force, thanks to a federally funded program. The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador, and Member of Parliament for St. John's South-Mount Pearl, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.
"Our government is committed to creating the best educated, most skilled, and most flexible work force in the world," said Mr. Hearn. "Not only will this funding help over 1500 people in the Clarenville area who need employment and career help, but it will also benefit local employers and the local economy."
The Random North Development Association will receive $636,254 in Employment Assistance Services funding for two projects that will provide employment services to help 1450 residents of Clarenville and the surrounding area prepare for, obtain and maintain employment.
The Ability Employment Corporation will receive $232,659 in Employment Assistance Services funding to help 80 unemployed persons with developmental disabilities to assist them to prepare for, find and keep employment, or return to school.
In the 2008 budget, the Government of Canada announced plans to make the costs of any training that helps people cope with disabilities or disorders exempt from the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST). The Government also plans to expand the list of GST/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.
These projects reflect the Government of Canada's commitment to creating a strong economy for all Canadians. Through its Advantage Canada plan, the Government is not only focusing on developing workforce skills, but is also building on Canada's strengths and gaining a global competitive advantage by reducing taxes for all Canadians, increasing competition in the marketplace, building modern infrastructure, and eliminating the debt.
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.
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The Employment Assistance Services (EAS) program provides funding to organizations that offer employment services to help clients re-enter the labour market. Funding for the EAS program was provided for in the March 2007 federal budget. All unemployed Canadians have access to a range of services under the EAS program. However, some EAS offerings are available only to clients who are eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or who have recently been receiving EI benefits.
Employment Assistance Services include providing clients with information about the labour market, help preparing résumés, career-planning services, employment counselling, diagnostic assessment, help with job-search skills, job-finding clubs, and job-placement services.
Eligible recipients of EAS funding are businesses (including federal Crown corporations and provincial/territorial Crown corporations), organizations, individuals, public health and educational institutions, municipal governments, and band/tribal councils, as well as some provincial/territorial government departments and agencies. These entities act as employers or service coordinators under the program.
