Government of Canada consults with stakeholders in Vancouver to help shape new Labour Market Development Agreements

VANCOUVER, July 22, 2014 /CNW/ - Scott Armstrong, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development, today hosted a roundtable on how to strengthen the Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs). He was joined by Don McRae, British Columbia's Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation. This is part of a series of roundtables that Mr. Armstrong will host, in cooperation with provincial and territorial governments, across Canada.

As part of its plan for creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity, the Government of Canada is committed to strengthening LMDAs to reorient training toward labour market demand. It is expected that the new LMDAs will better connect Canadians with available jobs by ensuring they have access to training for the skills employers need. Funded through the Employment Insurance (EI) program, the Government of Canada transfers over $2 billion annually to the provinces and territories through the LMDAs to provide skills training to EI clients and employment services to all unemployed Canadians.

The roundtables give governments, employer, and other stakeholders an opportunity to discuss how to make the LMDAs more employer-driven and responsive to the needs of the labour market. The roundtables also give the Government of Canada valuable insight on local skills shortages and gaps.

Quick Facts

• The Conference Board of Canada anticipates that B.C.'s gross domestic product will increase 2.4 percent this year driven by strong growth in forestry and manufacturing.
  
• In 2013-2014 the Government of Canada transferred $375 million to British Columbia for skills training, including more than $280 million for unemployed Canadians through the LMDAs.
  
• As the single largest labour market transfer to provinces and territories, LMDAs help over 600,000 Canadians every year.
  
• Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes several measures to create jobs and opportunities, such as the Canada Job Grant, the Canada Apprentice Loan, and supporting under-represented groups, including youth and older workers.

Quotes

"Through Economic Action Plan 2014, our government continues to create jobs and pave the way for long-term prosperity by putting skills training at the forefront. The new generation of Labour Market Development Agreements will result in greater employer involvement in training to ensure that Canadians are equipped with the skills employers need now and in the future. "

-Scott Armstrong, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development

"It is important to make sure all British Columbians have the employment supports and skills training they need to be first in line for jobs.  Our partnership with the federal government is important to connect people, particularly those who find it difficult to compete in the job market, with the programs and services that will ensure B.C.'s employers have the right workers, in the right place, at the right time."

-Don McRae, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation

Associated Links

• Labour Market Development Agreements
• Canada Job Grant

SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada

Alexandra Fortier
Office of the Minister
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]
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