Executive Council
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
May 18, 2007

Provincial Government Standing Up for Students and Affected Groups

The Williams Government is taking immediate action to offer real support and find tangible solutions for students and groups adversely impacted by federal government cuts to student summer employment.

"We continue to be frustrated by the actions of the Harper government who are obviously so out of step with the realities of the citizens of this country, including the people of our province," said the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. "The Harper government�s approach to addressing the summer employment needs of Newfoundland and Labrador�s students is unacceptable to those who avail of the funding, our students and this government. We are calling on the federal government to immediately reconsider their approach, and I strongly urge the Prime Minister to do the right thing and restore the funding to students, groups and communities as they expect and deserve. In the absence of this, our government will once again step up to fill the void left by the federal government."

The province is currently exploring programming options for students and affected groups impacted by the federal government�s ill-advised decision.

"Upon hearing of the plight of students and sponsoring groups caused by the federal government, I immediately asked officials in my department to identify ways and means to overcome the gaps being identified and find solutions to address this unnecessary burden the federal government has placed on the backs of students and communities throughout our province," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "The three federal Conservative MPs, Norm Doyle, Loyola Hearn and Fabian Manning, should explain to the people of the province their lack of action to truly help and why their influence inside the Government of Canada can only be described as inconsequential."

A working group of senior officials within the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment has been established to address the problem. To date, Service Canada has not been forthcoming with any information regarding impacted groups. The Provincial Government has received representation from numerous groups and organizations affected by it from throughout the province. The department is developing a work plan to gather this information and assess the overall impact. Based on this information and an analysis of current government programs for youth and students, firmer decisions can be made on a course of action.

"We simply cannot see our tourism, arts, heritage, sport and recreation programs in communities throughout the province placed in such a position by the Harper government," said Premier Williams. "Yet, here we are once again witnessing the further dismantling of the federal presence and relevance to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. This is detrimental to students in our province who were depending on summer employment that is relevant to their future careers, and also allows them to stay at home in their own province."

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Media contacts:

Elizabeth Matthews
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960, 351-1227
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca 
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca 

2007 05 18                                                 2:55 p.m.

 


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