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NLIS 11 September 26, 2003 (Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education) Government of Canada and
Government of Newfoundland Gerry Byrne, Member of Parliament for Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte and Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development, along with Anna Thistle, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education for Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced funding of up to $39,000 to carry out a wood harvesting project on the Baie Verte Peninsula. "I am pleased to announce funding for this project," Minister Byrne said. "It is important that we properly manage our forest resources to stimulate economic development. This project enhances good forest management practices and provides local sawmills with extra timber that would not have been available with normal harvesting systems." The seven-week project with the Baie Verte Peninsula Economic Development Association has provided work experience in timber harvesting to 13 Employment Insurance eligible persons in the Baie Verte area. The two-phase project uses snowmobiles to bring saleable timber from normally inaccessible areas out to designated roads. The project began in March of this year and will come to an end in November 2003. "This project has the dual benefit of enhancing economic opportunities and improving local infrastructure as well as providing job experience to individuals that will help them in their efforts to secure ongoing employment," said Minister Thistle. The project is being supported under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement, through funding provided by Job Creation Partnerships (JCPs). Job Creation Partnerships supports the creation of incremental and meaningful work opportunities for clients in activities that help develop the community and the local economy. Human Resource Centres of Canada or partner agencies work with employers and community organizations to identify employment opportunities that can provide Employment Insurance recipients with valuable job experience. The federal government, as represented by HRDC, and the provincial government, as represented by Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education, are working to help unemployed individuals find employment under the programs and services offered under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement. Funding for Job Creation Partnerships is provided through the Employment Insurance (EI) Act. EI claimants receive their regular Income Benefits and/or income support under EI part II � Employment Benefits, which may be increased by the employer to a local prevailing occupational wage rate. Also eligible are other insured participants, such as clients who have received employment benefits within the last three years, or maternity or parental benefits that started in the past five years. Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget. Media contact:
2003 09 26 2:40 p.m |
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