April 9, 2015 – Port Alberni, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada
Today, the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, along with the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North, announced support to help employees return to work following a disabling injury or health issue.
Under the Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) program, the National Institute for Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) will receive $125,000 for a project that will improve return to work and disability management programs in federally regulated private-sector industries.
WORBE is providing up to $500,000 annually for projects that aim to improve the representation of people with disabilities, women, Aboriginal peoples and members of visible minorities in federally regulated workplaces.
“ In Canada, we depend on the skills of our workers to keep our economy strong. When everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the workforce, we all benefit. This funding will provide employers with the tools they need to support employees with a disability as they reintegrate into the workforce.”
– The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
“ To support long-term prosperity, Canada needs qualified people to participate in the labour market. We are proud to support projects like NIDMAR’s because they help ensure that every Canadian who wants to work has the support to do so, and enable employers to benefit from their skills and talents.”
– The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North
" Providing stable employment for workers who acquire a mental or physical impairment is essential to them maintaining their independence and participating fully in their community. The IDMSC Return-to-Work/Disability Management program assessment is a tool currently being used successfully in many countries around the world. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s support, Canadian employers will now be able use this tool to enhance their current RTW/DM programs, policies and practices.”
– Wolfgang Zimmermann, Executive Director for the National Institute for Disability Management and Research
Andrew McGrath
Director of Communications
Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
819-953-5646
andrew.mcgrath@labour-travail.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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The Employment Equity Act aims to achieve equality in the workplace so that no one is denied opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability, and to address workplace disadvantages faced by the four designated groups: people with disabilities, women, Aboriginal peoples and members of visible minorities.
The Labour Program ensures that federally regulated private-sector employers and Crown corporations report annually on the representation of these designated groups in their workplaces and on the steps they have taken to achieve full representation through the Legislated Employment Equity Program. Employment equity must be included in the employment plans and practices of all federally regulated businesses with 100 or more employees.
There have been varying degrees of progress in improving the representation of the designated groups toward achieving equity. However, under-representation persists in a number of occupational groups and industries.
Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity is a new grant and contribution program designed to support employers subject to the Employment Equity Act in their efforts to improve designated group representation in areas of low representation through partnerships and industry-tailored strategies.
