Human Resources, Labour and Employment
April 29, 2010
Five Job Creation Partnerships to Benefit Gander
Residents
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will support five Job
Creation Partnership projects in the Gander area through a maximum
investment of up to $338,830.
Totalling $725,451, the approved projects will employ 16 individuals
and will result in staffing of the adult day program and the recycling
program through the Victorian Order of Nurses Canada — Newfoundland and
Labrador branch; implementation of an awareness campaign for the Thomas
Howe Forest Foundation; the hiring of eight individuals to assist the
Gander Community Tennis Association to provide recreational services to
the local community; and the hiring of an individual to co-ordinate
activities for the Town of Appleton.
"Not only will 16 individuals gain valuable work experience through
these five projects, but area residents will benefit from the outcomes
of these initiatives," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of
Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "Our priority now is to review
all the programs and services, including the Job Creation Partnership
program, which recently became the responsibility of the Provincial
Government. Our goal is to identify ways to improve and expedite the
delivery of these programs, while ensuring that they are tailored to
more accurately respond to local, regional and provincial needs."
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.
"Job Creation partnership projects are very important not only to the
sponsoring organizations and those employed but these projects have an
everlasting benefit to the community," said the Honourable Kevin
O'Brien, MHA for Gander. "This is clearly demonstrated by these three
projects that are being funded."
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, 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
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Media contacts:
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of
Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 690-2498
jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca |
Paula M. Norman
Executive
Assistant to
Hon. Kevin O'Brien MHA Gander
709-729-4753
paulamnorman@gov.nl.ca |
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 additional $14.7 million per
year.
2010 04 29 11:10 a.m.
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