Fourteen Job Creation Partnership Projects Approved for Burin-Placentia West

The Provincial Government will support 14 projects employing 65 individuals in Burin-Placentia West through a maximum investment of up to $503,122 under the Job Creation Partnership program. These projects, which total $503,277, are sponsored by various municipalities and local organizations and businesses.

The funding will result in staffing of the Laubach Literacy Council; upgrades to the Wesley United Church in Red Harbour; repairs to the community centre and playground in the Town of Red Harbour; the hiring of an individual to plan, organize and implement the grand opening activities for St. Gabriel's Hall; repairs to two existing trails and the beautification of public areas and roadsides in Marystown; the hiring of an office assistant with the Burin Peninsula Health Care Foundation; the completion of the Tidal Wave Memorial site as well as repairs to the Salt Pond and Senior's walking trails in Burin; maintenance of the St. Mary's Anglican Church in Marystown; the hiring of community development workers with Burin Peninsula Brighter Futures Inc. (one in Black Duck Cove and one in Marystown); enhancements to the Muriel Isaacs Building in Burin; the hiring of individuals to complete a history writing project for the Marystown Heritage Museum; enhancements to the recreation grounds and community church in Brookside; and the maintenance of the Burin Heritage Grounds.

Through Job Creation Partnerships, non-profit community-based organizations, municipal governments and businesses partner with the Provincial Government to address local priority needs. Examples of potential partnership initiatives include maintenance and repairs to community infrastructure, such as town halls and churches; the beautification of public areas; and the staffing of businesses or organizations. In addition to in-kind or in-cash contributions from sponsors, Job Creation Partnership program funding is provided through direct contributions to sponsors or through the extension of Employment Insurance benefits for project participants.

"Not only will 65 individuals gain valuable work experience through these 14 projects, but residents of Burin-Placentia West will benefit from the outcomes of these initiatives," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "Formerly delivered by the Federal Government, the Job Creation Partnership program became the responsibility of the Provincial Government this past November. Our priority now is to review all the employment supports, including the Job Creation Partnership program, in order to identify ways to improve and expedite their delivery, while ensuring that they are tailored to more accurately respond to local, regional and provincial needs."

"Developed through various partnerships, these projects will prove worthwhile to the long-term sustainability of the communities involved," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, MHA for Burin-Placentia West. "In addition to benefiting the participants, they will provide a much needed boost to the towns and sponsoring organizations."

On November 2, 2009, responsibility for Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) programs and services, including the Job Creation Partnership program, transferred from the Federal Government to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Since that time, 118 priority projects have been approved across the province creating employment opportunities for more than 500 people. The total investment in these projects is approximately $7.5 million. This figure includes $2 million being invested directly by other Provincial Government departments, municipalities, project sponsors and non-profit groups.

For more information on the Labour Market Development Agreement, including Job Creation Partnerships, please visit: www.gov.nl.ca/hrle/lmda 

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BACKGROUNDER
Labour Market Development Agreement

Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs) are bilateral agreements between the Federal Government and the Provincial/Territorial Governments that provide funding focused on helping EI-eligible persons increase their opportunities within the labour market.

LMDAs were established in 1996 and many jurisdictions at the time chose to sign an agreement with the Government of Canada that transferred LMDA responsibility to the province. Under such an agreement, provinces and territories assume responsibility for the design, delivery and management of the programs and services.

Newfoundland and Labrador, along with a number of other jurisdictions, chose the co-managed model where the Federal Government delivered the programs and services but shared responsibility for the design, management and evaluation of these programs with provinces and territories. Since 1996, LMDA programs and services have been delivered in this province through Service Canada offices.

On September 5, 2008, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador signed a devolved LMDA with the Government of Canada. Under the devolved LMDA, the Provincial Government assumes responsibility for the design and delivery of approximately $133 million annually in EI-funded Employment Benefits and Support Measures, effective November 2, 2009.

For the next two years, all provinces and territories will receive additional LMDA funding under the Federal Government's stimulus package, which was released in the last federal budget. Newfoundland and Labrador's share of this funding is an additional $14.7 million per year.

2010 04 20                                               11:00 a.m.