Human Resources, Labour and
Employment
May 10, 2010
Port au Port to Benefit From Job Creation Partnerships
Residents of the Port au Port area will benefit from
tourism, economic and social impacts through two Job Creation
Partnership projects supported by the Provincial Government with a
maximum investment of up to $69,330.
Employing 11 individuals, these two projects, which
total $103,477, will result in infrastructure improvements to the Kitpu
First Nation Inc. Friendship Centre in Boswarlos, and preparation for
the grand opening of a cultural interpretation project in June 2010 at
the St. Anne's One Room School in Mainland for the official grand
opening.
"Not only will 11 individuals gain valuable work
experience through these projects, but all the residents of Port au Port
will benefit from the outcomes of these initiatives," said the
Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment. "Our priority now is to review all the programs and
services, including the Job Creation Partnership program, which recently
became the responsibility of the Provincial Government. Our goal is to
identify 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."
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 delighted that the Kitpu First Nation and the
Mainland Heritage Committee have received funding from this program,"
said Port au Port MHA Tony Cornect. "This funding will certainly create
employment in the short term, and in the long term it will improve
tourism, economic and social opportunities in the area. This is another
example of the Provincial Government's commitment to rural Newfoundland
and Labrador."
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:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 697-5216
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
|
Donna Ivey
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-0898, 697-1424
donnaivey@gov.nl.ca
|
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 $14.7 million per
year.
2010 05 10
10:20 a.m. |
