Province meets with federal minister to discuss labour market development

Gerald Smith, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, and Sandra Kelly, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education met today with Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada, to discuss innovation, skills and learning in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as possible ways the federal government and the province can partner on mutual areas of interest.

On February 12 Industry Minister Allan Rock and Minister Stewart launched the Government of Canada�s Innovation Strategy. Presented in two papers, the strategy outlines a direction to ensure equality of opportunity and economic innovation in the knowledge society. The papers highlight goals, milestones and targets that will strengthen skills and learning, and contribute to building an innovative economy that benefits all Canadians.

"The provincial government has long recognized the importance of coordinating social and economic development and creating community-based partnerships to achieve employment growth and the well-being of our people. Over the past few years, the province has introduced such initiatives as the Strategic Social Plan, the Jobs and Growth Agenda and the Strategic Literacy Plan, all aimed at ensuring this province and its people can succeed nationally and globally," said Minister Smith. "I am very encouraged by the fact that these themes and the challenges associated with ensuring the development of a skilled and innovative workforce are reflected by the Government of Canada as outlined in the release of its Innovation Strategy through their discussion papers Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians and Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity.

"Sharing the same vision and goals as the Government of Canada is a great asset for our province and can only have a positive influence on our future social and economic success," said Minister Kelly. "We currently have a successful partnership with the federal government in many areas. We hope to build on this partnership to include other major provincial priorities such as student debt relief, youth apprenticeship, post-secondary research and infrastructure, e-learning, career counselling for youth and adults, adult basic education, and support for persons with disabilities and others who face barriers to full participation in the labour market."

Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians calls for a collaborative approach between all sectors of society to ensure Canadians have the tools they need to participate in Canada�s workplace, thereby ensuring social and economic well-being for all Canadians. Provincially, similar priorities were identified in last year�s budget and are being addressed through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador�s Labour Market Development Council.

Industry Canada�s paper Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity, examines the role of innovation in the Canadian economy and proposes goals, targets and federal priorities in such areas as knowledge performance, skills, quality of life and strengthening communities. "This is quite similar to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador�s Strategic Social Plan which was introduced in 1998," said Minister Smith. "Indeed, both papers share the common theme of �Investing in People�. This latest publication from the federal government is an affirmation that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is not only taking the right approach in strengthening our communities but has become a leader in social policy development."

The meeting between Ministers Smith, Kelly and Stewart is one in a series of consultations Minister Stewart is holding across the country to discuss Canada�s Innovation Strategy and the actions required to meet the national goals.

"The meeting was a very positive one," said Minister Kelly. "We presented our response to the papers to Minister Stewart and Minister Rock and hope that the partnerships and programs we would like to establish will be positively assessed and acted upon quickly".

To obtain a copy of either Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians or Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity please visit //www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca or call 1 800 O-CANADA (1 800-622-6232).

Media contact:

Paul Power, Communications, (709) 729-4062.
Janice Lockyer, Communications, (709) 729-6573.

2002 02 18                         2:30 p.m.