Thunder Bay, Ontario, December 16, 2011—The Government of Canada is helping people with disabilities inThunder Bay develop the skills and experience they need to find jobs.
Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced that the Independent Living Resource Centre Thunder Bay will receive more than $590,000 through the Government’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.
“Our government’s top priority is jobs and the economy. In today’s environment, it is important that all Canadians have the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Mr. Rickford. “By supporting this project, we are getting closer to this objective, while maximizing the potential and the independence of our fellow citizens with disabilities.”
With assistance from the federal Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, the Independent Living Resource Centre’s Creating Employability Options project will help 345 people with disabilities develop a range of work and life skills that they need to participate in the job market.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Alyson Queen
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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The Government of Canada is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent Canadians with disabilities from reaching their full potential with a wide range of effective policies, programs and services.
The Community Coordinator component of the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities is designed to support projects that help Canadians with disabilities develop a broad range of skills and work experience they need to participate in the job market. It is available to eligible organizations that enter into agreements with eligible participants and employers in support of activities that further Opportunities Fund objectives.
The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy for building the most educated, most competent and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government highlighted its commitment to this strategy in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. One of the key elements of the Plan consists of increasing and improving opportunities available to Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
