Five Job Creation Partnerships Approved for The Isles of Notre Dame

Through a maximum investment of up to $130,566, the Provincial Government will support five Job Creation Partnership projects, employing 16 individuals, in The Isles of Notre Dame.

These projects, which total $173,341, will result in infrastructure repairs and renovations to the New World Island Lion's Club. In addition, individuals will be hired to undertake the daily feeding and care of 10 registered Newfoundland ponies through the Change Island Newfoundland Pony Refuge; and the Twillingate/New World Island Development Association will hire a strategic planning assistant, a recreation assistant and a program coordinator.

"Not only will 16 individuals gain employment experience through these Job Creation Projects, but the communities will also experience long-term positive impacts as a result of their work," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "These projects were made possible through the Job Creation Partnership program, which was formerly delivered by the Federal Government. Our priority now is to review all the programs and services that became the responsibility of the Provincial Government this past November, 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."

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.

"I am pleased that funding will be provided to support these initiatives," said Derrick Dalley, MHA for the Isles of Norte Dame. "These five partnerships will see 16 people contribute to infrastructure renovations, the Pony Refuge, recreation and planning for other possible endeavors in the area. Through the Labour Market Development Agreement, people in the area will not only receive valuable training for future employment opportunities, but also provide services that will continue to promote the communities in our region. Provincial Government support for Job Creation Partnership projects and their sponsors is important for our rural communities."

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 additional funding is $14.7 million per year.

2010 05 06                    10:10 a.m.