Outlines government support for employment opportunities for Canadians with disabilities
March 5, 2014 Vancouver, British Columbia Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), today spoke at the second annual Abilities in Mind (AiM) conference in Vancouver, B.C.
The Embracing Ability: Making it Happen conference brings together Canadians with disabilities, employers and service providers to promote employment opportunities, training and best practices. Several exhibits and over 15 workshops demonstrate innovative and successful practices in building an inclusive, sustainable workforce of people with disabilities.
The Government of Canada is pleased to provide financial support to AiM through the Opportunities Fund as part of a project to raise awareness of the meaningful contribution people with disabilities can make to the workplace.
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Economic Action Plan 2014 builds on earlier measures introduced by the Government of Canada that connect Canadians with available jobs and equip them with the skills and training they need. These include the Canada Job Grant, creating opportunities for apprentices and providing support to under-represented groups, including people with disabilities, Aboriginal people, newcomers and youth.
Through Economic Action Plan 2013, the Government extended the Enabling Accessibility Fund on an ongoing basis at $15 million per year to improve accessibility in facilities across Canada, including workplaces.
The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities helps people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and keep employment or become self-employed. Economic Action Plan 2013 is maintaining ongoing funding of $40 million per year to the Opportunities Fund.
As announced in Economic Action Plan 2013, the Government will provide $222 million annually over the next four years, matched by the provinces and territories, through a new generation of Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities (LMAPDs).
This new generation of LMAPDs will better meet the needs of employers and improve the employment prospects of Canadians with disabilities.
