September 6, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORTUNE, Newfoundland and Labrador - More than 1,000 residents of Fortune and the surrounding area will get help to re-enter the work force, thanks to a federa ally 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 Mont e Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.
"Prime Minister Stephen Harper and our government are committed to creating the best educated, most skilled, and most flexible work force in the world," said Minister Hearn. "This proj ect is one more step in the right direction. Not only will our investment help more than 1,000 local individuals find and keep quality jobs, but it will also benefit local employers and the local economy."
The Fortune Community and Youth Centre wi ll receive $147,363 in funding from Service Canada's Employment Assistance Services program to provide employment counselling, employment-related workshops, and a self-serve resource centre where individuals can gain the tools they need to re-enter the wo rk force.
"Thanks to federal government funding, we can continue to operate the Employment Services Office," said Mary Mullins, Chairperson of the Fortune Community and Youth Centre. "This office has been in existence for the past 10 years, and co ntinues to provide excellent employment service to individuals in the communities from Lawn to Grand Beach on the Burin Peninsula."
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 not only focusing on developing work-force 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 marke tplace, 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 cho ose-by phone at 1 800 O Canada, on the Internet at servicecanada.gc.ca, or in person at Service Canada Centres a cross 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).
Media enquiries:
Lorne Lambert
Service Canada Communications
709-772-5346
Media Relations Office
Service Canada
819-994-5559
Public enquiries:
1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232 )
TTY: 1-800-926-9105
servicecanada.gc.ca
The Employment Assistance Services (EAS) program provides fun ding to organizations that offer employment services to help clients re-enter the labour market.
All unemployed Canadians have access to a range of services under the EAS program. However, some EAS activities 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-pl anning 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/terr itorial 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 employe rs or service coordinators under the program.
Funding for the EAS program was provided for in the March 2007 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
These projects have been reviewed to ensure compliance w ith the Department's administration of its grants and contributions programs, and are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.
