The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister responsible for the Status of Women, said today she is extremely pleased with the federal government�s decision to maintain the Employment Equity Office in Newfoundland and Labrador. "This is welcome news and I certainly acknowledge the federal minister�s recognition of just how important this service is for so many of our residents."

On October 23, 2006, Minister Burke highlighted the fact that the Employment Equity Office was to be moved to Montreal, along with the offices in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The minister immediately called upon the federal government to reverse this decision, citing the critical service it provides to some of the provinces most vulnerable people. Employment equity officers work with employers on their obligations under the federal Legislated Employment Equity Program (LEEP) and the Federal Contractors Program to make sure women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities and visible minorities have equal opportunities for employment.

"Staff at the office had been notified several months ago that the position would be transferred to Montreal and it was incumbent upon me, as the minister responsible for the Status of Women, to bring this to the attention of our federal counterparts as soon as I became aware. I am encouraged by the successful resolution to this issue and that Ottawa will keep this federal presence in our province."

This decision will be an asset in work to advance the economic equality of women and other historically disadvantaged groups. It also supports this government�s goal to encourage more Newfoundland and Labradorians, especially women, to enter professions such as the skilled trades.

The minister said she will keep working to have the Community Access Program continue, to have the federal government reinstate funding for advocacy work by women�s groups and to reverse the decision to cut funding to community-based literacy programming.

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Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca