The Provincial Government is pleased to announce that recruitment for the Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy deliberative dialogue sessions will begin this week. There will be 12 dialogue sessions with 40 participants selected for each session.

"This is an important step forward in our government�s plan to attract and bring back our young people to this province," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "The young people who will participate in the upcoming deliberative dialogue sessions will help us chart a course to ensure our province continues to be an attractive option for our young people."

In the coming weeks, a professional market research firm will be identifying potential participants through random telephone calls to households throughout the province. Those contacted will be asked if there is someone in the household between the ages of 18 and 30 or if they know of an individual in that age group either living in the province or elsewhere. Those agreeing to participate in the community sessions will receive a follow up call to confirm participation, as well as an honorarium.

Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN) has been contracted to co-ordinate the deliberative dialogue sessions with youth that will generate detailed insight into youth values, considerations, choices and trade-offs. During these deliberative dialogue sessions held across Newfoundland and Labrador, and in Alberta and Ontario, youth will actively participate in the discussion on the critical issues they face. The goal is to determine what youth are prepared to support and recommend to the Provincial Government in assisting with the development of the Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy. The results will be compiled into a report that will be submitted to the Provincial Government.

"The economy of this province has turned a corner and looking ahead, the prospects have never been brighter," said Minister Skinner. "The opportunity is now to engage our youth in helping shape the province we want for the future."

In Budget 2008, the Provincial Government committed $1.38 million to develop a Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy to address the previous effects of youth out-migration. The deliberative dialogue project will complement and support the overall development of the strategy.

"This is an exciting time for young people in Newfoundland and Labrador and those who have moved away," said Dr. Sharon Manson Singer, President of CPRN. "These young people will have a pivotal role in assisting government develop the Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy."

The regional dialogues will be held early in September 2008 in the following centres:

• Gander


• Stephenville
• Corner Brook
• Port au Choix
• Happy Valley-Goose Bay
• Grand Falls-Windsor
• Clarenville
• Marystown
• Carbonear
• St. John�s

Two further dialogues will be held later in September in Alberta and Ontario.

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Media contact:

Ronalda Walsh
Director of Communications
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-7903
ronaldawalsh@gov.nl.ca