SUMMERSIDE, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, September 25, 2009—Local people with disabilities will benefit from the Government of Canada’s support for five employment projects. The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, along with Ms. Paula Biggar, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Tyne Valley–Linkletter, on behalf of the Honourable Allan Campbell, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning for Prince Edward Island.
“In collaboration with our provincial and community partners, our government is proud to strengthen Canada’s economy by investing in our workforce,” said Minister Shea. “By supporting projects like these, together we are helping people with disabilities maximize their potential and independence.”
Community Inclusions Ltd. ($227,493), the Kingswood Centre ($133,629), the PEI Council of People with Disabilities ($920,802), as well as the Charlottetown division ($608,589) and the Prince County chapter ($465,567) of the Canadian Mental Health Association will all receive funding under the Employment Assistance Services program to help people with disabilities prepare for, obtain and maintain suitable employment within the community.
The federal government is working with the provinces and territories, community organizations and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the workforce and contribute to their communities.
“The Government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to partner with the federal government to invest in our people and our communities,” said Ms. Biggar, on behalf of Minister Campbell. “These projects will provide new and expanded opportunities for individuals to gain new skills and experiences, which will enhance their future employment prospects.”
The Employment Assistance Services program is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored its commitment to this strategy in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
This program is delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits. For more information about these programs, call 1 800 O‑Canada, visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.
Under the Canada-Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, effective October 2009, the Province will assume responsibility for the design and delivery of Employment Insurance-funded Employment Benefits and Support Measures. The Government of Canada will provide funding directly to the Province to deliver these programs. The projects announced today will be administered by the Province as part of its responsibility under the Agreement.
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For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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This news release is available online at www.actionplan.gc.ca.
The Employment Assistance Services program provides funding to organizations that offer employment services to help clients re-enter the labour market. These services include information about the labour market, résumé assistance, career‑planning services, employment counselling, diagnostic assessment, help with job search skills, job-finding clubs and job placement services.
Project 1 – Community Inclusions Ltd.
Community Inclusions Ltd. is a non-profit organization in West Prince that provides support to adults, aged 18 to 65, with intellectual disabilities. These supports range from employment to recreational services. Between August 22, 2009, and September 30, 2011, the organization will provide Employment Assistance Services to 64 unemployed individuals with disabilities to assist them in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment.
Project 2 – The Kingswood Centre
The Kingswood Centre is a non-profit organization that provides employment and training services to persons with intellectual disabilities. Between July 18, 2009, and September 30, 2011, the Centre will provide Employment Assistance Services to 59 unemployed individuals with intellectual disabilities to assist them in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment.
Project 3 – The PEI Council of People with Disabilities
Since 1974, the PEI Council of People with Disabilities has been delivering employment‑related outreach activities to persons with disabilities by providing career‑related information, employment opportunities, job search assistance and other services. Between September 26, 2009, and September 30, 2011, the Council will provide Employment Assistance Services to 568 unemployed individuals with physical disabilities to assist them in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment.
Projects 4 and 5 – The Canadian Mental Health Association – Charlottetown division and Prince County chapter
The Canadian Mental Health Association is a community-based organization with a volunteer board that has been helping individuals with mental illnesses find and retain employment since 1959 by providing career-related information, employment opportunities, job search assistance and other services. Between August 1, 2009, and September 30, 2011, the Charlottetown division of the Canadian Mental Health Association will provide Employment Assistance Services to 370 unemployed individuals with mental illnesses in Charlottetown and surrounding areas to assist them in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment. During the same time period, the Prince County chapter will provide Employment Assistance Services to 215 unemployed individuals with mental illnesses in Prince County to assist them in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment.
