Human Resources, Labour and Employment
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
April 22, 2010
Job Creation Partnership Approved for Labrador Straits
The winter trail system in the Labrador
Straits will receive a boost through the Job Creation Partnership
program. Through a $52,211 maximum investment from the Provincial
Government, three individuals will gain valuable work experience with
the Basque Whaler's Snowmobile Club.
Through this initiative, these individuals will be hired to complete
maintenance of the winter trails system in the Labrador Straits, build
an emergency warm-up cabin on the trail, and carry out promotional and
safe-snowmobiling activities.
"Through the Job Creation Partnership program, not only will three
individuals gain work experience, but residents of the area will benefit
from the work being performed," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan,
Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "Since the
Provincial Government took control of the Job Creation Partnership
program from the Federal Government in November, we have been working
towards identifying ways to improve and expedite the delivery of these
programs, while ensuring that they are tailored to more accurately
respond to local, regional and provincial needs."
Non-profit community-based organizations, municipal governments and
businesses partner with the Provincial Government to address local
priority needs through the Job Creation Partnership program. 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.
"The winter trail system remains an important piece of transportation
infrastructure for Labrador communities," said the Honourable John
Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs. "Through this investment,
individuals will gain valuable employment experience as they are tasked
with work that includes necessary maintenance and enhancements to the
winter trails and promoting safe snowmobiling practices."
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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Media contacts:
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 690-2498
jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca |
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
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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 22
10:15 a.m.
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