Municipal Affairs
Fisheries and Aquaculture
August 28, 2012

Displaced Fish Plant Workers from Jackson’s Arm Receive Assistance

Individuals affected by a permanent fish plant closure in the community of Jackson’s Arm are now receiving assistance under the Fish Plant Workers Employment Support Program. Through an investment of $249,291, the Provincial Government has sponsored three projects to support displaced fish plant workers.

“Through the Fish Plant Workers Employment Support Program, our government is supporting displaced workers that have been negatively affected by the closure of their local fish plant,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “In communities where fish plants close, our government helps residents bridge the gap to new employment opportunities by providing new experiences and skills. These projects also simultaneously accomplish repairs to important community infrastructure.”

The White Bay South Development Association, Town of Jackson’s Arm, and the Town of Hampton will coordinate projects where community upgrades and recreational improvements will occur, including major upgrades and renovations to a recreation centre, festival field, and bandstand; and, the construction of an extension on a screen house located near a watershed. See Backgrounder below.

“When fish plants close, many individuals become displaced at no fault of their own,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “Our government will support these individuals through programs and services aimed at helping them find new employment, secure short-term insurable hours to qualify for Employment Insurance, and gain access to financial support to retrain or upgrade skills. I am pleased that these support measures are now being delivered and glad to see communities undertaking projects that support local infrastructure priorities.”

The Fish Plant Worker Employment Support Program is a provincially-funded, targeted program focused on creating short-term employment for workers from fish plants designated as permanently closed. The program provides workers with a maximum of one 14-week rotation (560 hours), less any insurable hours of employment they have already earned during the current year for the purpose of establishing Employment Insurance benefits. Workers and their communities will also avail of employment counselling and supports provided by the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, and the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, respectively.

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BACKGROUNDER
List of Projects near Jackson’s Arm

2012 08 28                                    2:20 p.m.