July 10, 2015 – Kitchener, Ontario – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Government of Canada is helping Canadians with disabilities gain the skills and experience they need to become self-employed. The announcement was made today by Stephen Woodworth, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development.
Through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, Lutherwood, a not-for-profit health and social service organization, is helping 19 people with disabilities in Kitchener overcome barriers to employment.
Project participants are receiving assistance to develop business plans and launch their own businesses. Through group workshops, one-on-one coaching and networking opportunities, they are gaining knowledge in areas such as business planning, marketing and client service.
Lutherwood is receiving over $77,000 for this project.
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 reducing taxes and 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 and enable employers 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 Lutherwood are so important. Through projects like this one, people with disabilities in Kitchener will gain the skills and experience they need to succeed in the workforce.”
– Stephen Woodworth, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre
“This funding has enabled 21 Canadians with disabilities to receive the assistance needed to research and develop a business idea. To date, ten new ventures have been launched, with more to follow in the near future. Participants report a high level of satisfaction with the supports provided by the program and are grateful that this opportunity is available to help them successfully navigate the course to self-employment.”
– Beth Pitt, Program Supervisor, Lutherwood
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 to the program 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.
