Minister Bergen discusses boosting labour market participation and job creation at G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting

GATINEAU, QC, Sept. 11, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), today attended the G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting which focused on "Addressing Structural Unemployment", in Melbourne, Australia. Ministers discussed boosting jobs and labour market participation; preventing structural unemployment; and creating quality jobs. 

Minister Bergen highlighted Canada's many initiatives to invest in skills training to ensure Canadians have the skills employers are looking for in today's economy including: the Canada Job Grant, the Canada Apprentice Loan, apprenticeship grants, federal transfers to the provinces for the purposes of skills training, the Youth Employment Strategy, and labour market inclusion for people of all abilities.

With an aging population, and skills shortages in specific sectors and regions, Minister Bergen stressed the importance of working with provinces and territories, employers and educational and training institutions to ensure that Canadians have the skills they need for available jobs.

At the end of the meeting, the ministers issued a Ministerial Declaration highlighting key challenges and recommendations to G20 Leaders.

Quick Facts

The Group of Twenty (also known as G20) is a forum for governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies. Australia currently holds the Presidency of the G20, and will host the G20 Leaders' Summit on November 15-16, 2014 in Brisbane.

• There are tremendous opportunities for Canadians both today and in the years ahead:
  • The Canadian construction sector says they will need 319,000 new workers in the next 10 years.
  • The Canadian mining sector says they will need 145,000 new workers by 2020.
  • The Canadian petroleum sector says they will need 130,000 new workers by 2020.
  • The Canadian supply chain sector says they will need 357,000 new workers by 2020.
  • Last month, Canada and the European Union announced the completion of the text of a free trade agreement – an agreement that is expected to boost Canada's GDP by $12 billion – the equivalent of creating close to 80,000 new jobs.
  • Hundreds of major resource projects, worth $650 billion in investment, are projected to come on stream in Canada in the next decade.

Quote

"Our Government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. I was pleased to share with G20 countries the many initiatives Canada is taking to ensure Canadians have the skills needed in today's economy and hear what other countries around the world are doing in this important area. There are tremendous opportunities for Canadians both today and in the years ahead. Our Government is committed to ensuring Canadians have the skills and training needed to take advantage of these opportunities."
The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development)

Associated Link

Minister Bergen's speech at the G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting

Economic Action Plan 2014

https://www.g20.org/g20_priorities/g20_2014_agenda/employment

http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/index.shtml

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], Follow us on Twitter