Baie Verte - Springdale to Benefit from Job Creation Partnerships

Significant infrastructure improvements in the Baie Verte - Springdale area will be made possible through an investment from the Job Creation Partnership program. Projects will provide for renovations to the town hall in Middle Arm; improvements to the fire hall and Cape John Arena in La Scie; repairs to the Copperbelt Pioneer's meeting and activity centre in Springdale and infrastructure improvements in the Town of Pacquet.

These five projects, totalling $289,649, will employ 31 individuals and are sponsored by the Town of Middle Arm; La Scie Ambulance Service; Copperbelt Pioneers; La Scie Recreation Commission; and the Town of Pacquet. The Provincial Government will contribute a maximum of $274,452 toward the overall cost.

"The residents of Baie Verte - Springdale will benefit greatly from these five initiatives aimed at improving local infrastructure," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "The Job Creation Partnership program is one of the employment programs and services that recently became the responsibility of the Provincial Government. Our priority is to review all these employment supports with a goal of identifying ways to improve and expedite their delivery while ensuring that they are tailored to more accurately respond to local, regional and provincial needs. Today's announcement is indeed a great example of how this program can significantly benefit our communities."

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 with the announcement of these projects as they will provide long-lasting benefits to everyone involved," said Kevin Pollard, MHA for Baie Verte - Springdale. "Sponsors achieve their objective of having necessary work completed, participants acquire new employment skills, and the community benefits through improvements to local facilities."

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. Up to March 31, 2010, 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. 

- 30 -

Media contacts:

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 $14.7 million per year.

2010 05 17                                                  2:00 p.m.