The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, was joined by the Honourable Charlene Johnson, MHA for Trinity-Bay de Verde, last evening in the community of New Perlican to announce three Job Creation Partnership projects with a Provincial Government investment of up to $204,355.

Through the three projects, which have a total investment of $220,945, 16 individuals in the Trinity-Bay de Verde area will gain valuable work experience. Six participants will be hired to carry out infrastructure repairs to the Veterans Memorial Building in New Perlican; five individuals will assist with geological record-keeping and help provide heritage information for tourists at the Winterton Heritage Advisory Board; and five individuals will gain employment with the construction of a training facility in New Perlican, for use by firefighters in the Avalon Region.

"In addition to providing valuable work experience, these projects will have long-term positive impacts on their respective communities," said Minister Susan Sullivan. "These projects, originally delivered by the Federal Government, have now become the responsibility of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. They provide essential employment for non-profit, community-oriented groups that identify projects that are important for their area. Projects are focused on supporting local and regional needs."

The Job Creation Partnership program sees community-based organizations, municipal governments and businesses partner with the Provincial Government to address local priorities. Potential partnership initiatives may 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, program funding is provided through direct contributions to sponsors or through the extension of Employment Insurance benefits for project participants.

"I am very pleased to see these very important Job Creation Partnership projects approved," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson. "Two of the projects are focusing on preserving our heritage and history, and the other will directly assist firefighter training for the Avalon Region. Overall, they provide meaningful employment to individuals, while building on existing infrastructure, and boosting the visitor experience for our region."

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, over 265 priority projects have been approved across the province creating employment opportunities for more than 1280 people. The total Provincial Government investment in these projects is approximately $13.5 million, with the total project value being approximately $20 million.

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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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.