Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador
Support Workers Affected by Economic Downturn

To help workers hit hardest by the global recession, the Government of Canada is investing more than $43 million in Newfoundland and Labrador�s employment and training programs under an agreement signed between the federal and provincial governments. The new federal investment will create more job opportunities, through skills development, that will help an estimated 4,300 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians get back to work.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment for Newfoundland and Labrador, announced the signing of the agreement today.

"Our government is taking quick action to counter the effects of the economic downturn," said Minister Finley. "Through Canada�s Economic Action Plan, we are supporting Canadians by providing new opportunities for short- and long-term skills upgrading that will help prepare them for the jobs of the future."

"We are pleased to be working with our provincial partners to strengthen Canada�s workforce," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "Through these new agreements, we are taking action to ensure people in Newfoundland and Labrador have the skills and training they need to find and keep good jobs."

"Like all provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador has been impacted by the global economic downturn," said Minister Sullivan. "This additional funding will provide employment services to workers and employers during this current period of economic uncertainty."

This new funding is in addition to the more than $281 million provided to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador over the next two years for employment and training programs under existing agreements.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will use today�s new funding to support training in a wide range of areas. For individuals, the funding will enhance short- to medium-term training, improve access to wage subsidies, enhance literacy and adult basic education programs, and improve job search supports, including enhanced supports for immigrants.

The funding will also improve services for businesses and employers by assisting with the development of initiatives aimed at addressing skills shortages, by enhancing the recruitment and retention efforts of employers, by providing better labour market information and by supporting community-level initiatives to help workers displaced by the current economic downturn.

Under the new agreement, the Government of Canada is investing more than $29 million to help the Provincial Government provide employment and training programs to its industries and Employment Insurance-eligible residents.

The balance, more than $14 million over two years, will support provincial initiatives that help workers, whether or not they are eligible for Employment Insurance. With a focus on low-skilled workers, programs will help people retain their jobs or make the transition to new ones.

Nationally, the Federal Government has announced $1.5 billion in new investments over the next two years to respond to the economic downturn and provide training and skills development for more than 150,000 workers.

Canada�s Economic Action Plan is the Government of Canada�s strategy to protect Canadians from the impacts of the global economic downturn and help provide for the country�s long-term growth. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development and training.

To learn more about Canada�s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca

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