A local employment project will help unemployed workers start their own business thanks to the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development along with the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Newfoundland and Labrador�s Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment.

"We are pleased to be working with our provincial partners to strengthen Canada's economy by investing in our current workforce," said Minister MacKay. "This project will help unemployed residents of 22 communities on Newfoundland�s south coast to develop the skills and experience they need to become self-employed."

"Newfoundland and Labrador is very pleased to join the Federal Government in supporting this initiative under the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement," said Minister Sullivan. "These types of employment and training benefits ensure that individuals have access to the supports they need to succeed in our labour market. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador looks forward to continuing its support individuals and organizations such as the South Coast Community Development Corporation."

The South Coast Community Development Corporation will receive $114,130 under the Government of Canada�s Self-Employment program � EI Part II for its Self-Employment Benefits program. This funding will provide self-employment assistance support and entrepreneurial advice to EI-eligible participants in Newfoundland�s south coast communities.

The Federal Government works with the provinces and territories, communities and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the workforce and contribute to their communities.

The self-employment program is one of a broad range of Employment Insurance training programs that provides financial assistance to help unemployed Canadians find jobs and employers find workers.

It is part of the Government of Canada�s strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The government underscored its commitment to this strategy in Canada�s Economic Action Plan. A key component of the plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development.

Currently, the Self-Employment program is delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits. For more information about this program, call 1-800-O-Canada, go on the Internet at servicecanada.gc.ca or visit your local Service Canada Centre.

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Between June 28, 2009 and June 25, 2011, the South Coast Community Development Corporation, will offer entrepreneurial assistance to 20 new EI-eligible clients throughout the Coast of Bays region to create their own business and become self-employed.

The Self-Employment program provides funding to organizations that offer unemployed individuals the opportunity to start their own business and re-enter the labour market.

All unemployed Canadians have access to a range of services under the program. However, some services are available only to clients who are eligible to receive Employment Insurance benefits, or who have recently been receiving them.

The program provides clients with entrepreneurial assistance, assisting in the development and implementation of business plans and information about the labour market.

Eligible recipients of the program�s funding are businesses, including federal and provincial/territorial Crown corporations, organizations, individuals, public health and educational institutions, municipal governments and band/tribal councils as well as some provincial/territorial government departments and agencies. These entities act as employers or service co-ordinators under the program.