Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador Help People with Developmental Disabilities Prepare for Jobs in�Mount�Pearl

Human Resources, Labour and Employment
August 10, 2009

Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador Help People
with Developmental Disabilities Prepare for Jobs in Mount Pearl

Individuals with developmental disabilities will benefit from the Government of Canada�s support for a local employment project. The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, along with the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment for Newfoundland and Labrador.

"We are pleased to be working with our provincial partners to strengthen Canada�s economy by investing in our workforce," said Minister MacKay. "By supporting projects like this one, our government is helping individuals with developmental disabilities maximize their potential and independence."

Visions Employment Inc. will receive $246,843 under the Government of Canada�s Employment Assistance Services program. This funding will help the organization provide employment-related services to 40 individuals to help them prepare for, obtain and maintain employment.

"Newfoundland and Labrador is very pleased to join our federal partners in supporting this initiative under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement," said Minister Sullivan. "Employment corporations have been very successful in developing community-based opportunities for persons with disabilities throughout the province. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador looks forward to continuing to support organizations such as Visions Employment Inc. as we assume responsibility for delivering Labour Market Development Agreement employment benefits and measures in November."

The Employment Assistance Services program is one of a broad range of Employment Insurance training programs that help unemployed Canadians find work and serve to develop a skilled labour force that meets current and emerging employer needs.

It is part of the Government of Canada�s strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored this commitment in January when it introduced Canada�s Economic Action Plan. A key component of the plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development.

The Employment Assistance Services program is delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits. For more information about this program, call 1-800-O-Canada, go on the Internet at www.servicecanada.gc.ca or visit your local Service Canada Centre.

Under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement, effective November 2009, the Province will assume responsibility for the design and delivery of Employment Insurance-funded Employment Benefits and Support Measures. The Government of Canada will provide funding directly to the Province to deliver these programs.

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Media contacts:

Michelle Bakos Press Secretary Office of Minister Finley 819-994-2482	National Media Relations Office Human Resources and Skills Development Canada 819-994-5559
Jennifer Collingwood Director of Communications Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment 709-729-0753, 709-690-2498 jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Visions Employment Inc

Visions Employment Inc. is a community-based organization with a volunteer board that helps individuals with developmental disabilities find and retain employment. It promotes and supports the full inclusion and equality of persons with disabilities within the labour market. Between June 29, 2009, and June 25, 2010, the organization will provide case management and counselling services to clients and assist them in developing a Return to Work Action Plan.

The Employment Assistance Services program provides funding to organizations that offer employment services to help clients re-enter the labour market. Funding for the program was provided in the March 2007 federal budget.

All unemployed Canadians have access to a range of services under the program. However, some services are available only to clients who are eligible to receive Employment Insurance benefits, or who have recently been receiving them.

Employment Assistance Services include providing clients with information about the labour market, helping prepare r�sum�s, career-planning services, employment counselling, diagnostic assessment, help with job search skills, job-finding clubs and job placement services.

Eligible recipients of the program�s funding are businesses, including federal and provincial/territorial Crown corporations, organizations, public health and educational institutions, municipal governments and band/tribal councils, as well as some provincial/territorial government departments and agencies. These entities act as employers or service coordinators under the program.

This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with Service Canada�s administration of its grants and contributions programs and is subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.

2009 08 10 12:30 p.m.

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