April 10, 2015– Yarmouth, Nova Scotia – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Government of Canada is helping Canadians with disabilities gain the skills and experience they need to find jobs or start their own business. The announcement was made today by Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development.
The West Nova Inclusive Employment Society is receiving over $166,000 from the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities for its project to help 29 people with disabilities in southwest Nova Scotia overcome barriers to employment.
Many project participants will gain work experience with local employers in areas such as construction and hospitality, while others will receive financial assistance to attend training in programs related to their career goals. Participants interested in becoming entrepreneurs will receive varied support and coaching to start their own business.
Since 2006, the Opportunities Fund has helped 40,000 people with disabilities across Canada. This is part of the Government of Canada’s overall strategy to equip all Canadians with the skills and training they need to connect with available jobs.
Today’s announcement is one example of what the Government is doing to help Canadians. To help hard-working families, the Government is also enhancing the Universal Child Care Benefit, introducing the Family Tax Cut and making improvements to the Child Care Expenses Deduction and the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit.
“Our Government’s top priorities are creating jobs and economic growth. To support Canada’s long-term prosperity, we must ensure that everyone who wants to work has the opportunity to do so. The project announced today will help Canadians with disabilities get the skills needed to obtain jobs or start their own business, and enable communities in southwest Nova Scotia to benefit from their skills and talents.”
– The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development
“Canadians with disabilities deserve every opportunity to participate in the job market, and that’s why partnerships with organizations like the West Nova Inclusive Employment Society are so important. Through this project, people with disabilities in southwest Nova Scotia will gain the skills and experience they need to succeed in the workforce or as entrepreneurs.”
– Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova
“The West Nova Inclusive Employment Society remains truly grateful to the federal government and our Member of Parliament Greg Kerr for the continued support. This funding will allow us to continue our efforts to assist people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and maintain employment or to return to school, thereby increasing their economic participation and independence.”
– Rhonda Zasitko, Acting Executive Director of the West Nova Inclusive Employment Society
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities assists Canadians with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and keep employment, or become self-employed, to help them participate fully in the workforce and increase their independence.
Economic Action Plan 2013 announced a $10-million increase in funding for the Opportunities Fund, to $40 million annually, starting in 2015–16. Recently announced reforms will place a greater emphasis on hands-on experience, including work experience for more youth with disabilities, and ensure employers and community organizations are involved in the design and delivery of projects.
To further help Canadians with disabilities in the workforce, the Government has:
- extended the Enabling Accessibility Fund on an ongoing basis at $15 million per year to improve accessibility in facilities across Canada, including workplaces; and
- provided funding of $7 million per year for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, some of which will support research related to the labour market participation of people with disabilities.
Other measures to connect Canadians with available jobs and equip them with the skills and training they need 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.
