Governments of Canada and Yukon sign agreement to help Yukon residents with disabilities get jobs Français
WHITEHORSE, YT, Feb. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - Canadians with disabilities in Yukon will be better equipped with the skills and experience they need to get jobs through a new federal-territorial agreement announced today by the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, and the Honourable Elaine Taylor, Minister of Education for Yukon.
Yukon is the first jurisdiction to sign on to the new Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities (LMAPDs), which are designed to improve employment prospects for Canadians with disabilities and better meet the needs of Canadian businesses. This is also the first time that these agreements have been available to the territories. The LMAPDs are the Government of Canada's single largest investment in helping Canadians with disabilities get jobs.
Under this agreement, the Government of Canada will provide $1.25 million per year to Yukon, a contribution that will be matched by the territory.
As announced in the Economic Action Plan, this new generation of LMAPDs represents an investment of $222 million per year by the Government of Canada in the provinces and territories. This will allow provinces and territories flexibility to determine how to best address the needs of Canadians with disabilities, while helping Canadian businesses benefit from their skills and talent.
As part of the Government of Canada's plan for job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity, the new generation of LMAPDs will help connect Canadians with available jobs in their area.
Quick facts
- Approximately 800 000 working-age Canadians with disabilities who are able to work, are not currently doing so. Almost half, or 340 000, of these individuals have some post-secondary education.
- Currently, LMAPDs allow provinces to fund over 300 000 interventions per year through over 100 programs.
- Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes new measures to support Canadians with disabilities, such as:
- $15 million over three years to the Ready, Willing & Able initiative of the Canadian Association for Community Living; and
- $11.4 million over four years to support the expansion of vocational training programs for Canadians with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Quotes
"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Through this agreement with Yukon, we are helping Canadians with disabilities gain the skills and experience they need to find jobs, while giving employers better access to a pool of talented employees. Our government is very pleased that Yukon is the first of Canada's provinces and territories to sign on to this new generation of agreements to help Yukoners with disabilities get jobs in their area."
- The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism
"Ensuring all Yukoners, including persons with disabilities, are able to participate in the labour market and have access to the skills training that employers require is a priority for the Yukon government. This new agreement reflects the importance of partnerships between governments, employers and community organizations to develop and promote education and training programs to support persons with disabilities and improve their employment outcomes."
- The Honourable Elaine Taylor, Minister of Education, Government of Yukon
"This agreement will help Canadians with disabilities in the Yukon get jobs, provide for their families, and further contribute to our economy and community. With today's agreement our government is creating jobs and opportunities for Canadians with disabilities and helping employers get the skilled workers they are looking for."
- Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon
Associated links
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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