Summerside, Prince Edward Island, April 4, 2012—The Government of Canada will help 30 Islanders with disabilities gain the skills they need to get jobs in Summerside through support to Community Connections Inc. The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Egmont, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“Our government’s top priority is job creation and economic growth. That is why, through Economic Action Plan 2012, we are providing the Opportunities Fund with an additional $30 million over three years,” said Minister Shea. “By supporting this program, our government is helping Islanders with disabilities maximize their potential and independence.”
Community Connections Inc.’s Making the Connection II project is receiving $34,179 through the federal Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities to help 30 people with disabilities with work-skills assessment, job coaching and support services to help them get jobs.
“This program has really benefited our clients and we would like to thank the Government of Canada for this funding,” said Frank Costa, Executive Director, Community Connections Inc. “We’ve found that this program has allowed us to focus on employment with our clients and, as a result, they will achieve better employment outcomes when they finish.”
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For more information, contact:
Alyson Queen
Director of Communications
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 Enhanced Employment Assistance Services component of the Opportunities Fund is designed to help Canadians with disabilities who have little or no work experience and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance benefits. The Fund can help eligible organizations deliver employment-related programs and services that assist people with disabilities to integrate into the workplace.
The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities 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 highlighted its commitment to this strategy inCanada’s Economic Action Plan.
Through Economic Action Plan 2012, the Government of Canada is investing $30 million over three years in the Opportunities Fund to enable more Canadians with disabilities to obtain work experience with small and medium-sized businesses, and to ensure employers are aware of the invaluable contribution persons with disabilities can make to their business and the Canadian economy. The Government is also establishing a panel on labour market opportunities for persons with disabilities to identify private-sector successes and best practices with regard to their participation in the labour market.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
