YELLOWKNIFE, Feb. 20, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, continued his five-day northern tour to learn first-hand about the territories' booming economy, meet with employers and training institutions to learn more about challenges like the skills shortage, highlight Economic Action Plan 2014 and explain and discuss recently announced changes to Employment Insurance for residents of Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
During his visit to Aurora College, Minister Kenney congratulated Conan Zoe, the 1 000th person to obtain employment through skills training sponsored by the Mine Training Society and the Government of Canada. In his speech, the Minister also outlined government efforts to help employers find the workers they need to address the skills gap.
Minister Kenney also signed the first Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities with the Northwest Territories. This agreement will create jobs and opportunities for Canadians with disabilities in the Northwest Territories by ensuring they have the skills and training employers are looking for.
While in Yellowknife, Minister Kenney also announced $285,000 in federal government support through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers to provide older workers with skills upgrading, hands-on experience and safety training and certification. Graduates are expected to get jobs in the Behchoko tourism industry.
Minister Kenney also highlighted measures in Economic Action Plan 2014 that create jobs and opportunities and increase the quality of life for northerners including infrastructure investments, a new fund to improve health care services in the North, a commitment to enhance funding for the Nutrition North program and the Government of Canada's efforts to submit the strongest possible claim to the United Nations to protect Canadian sovereignty in the North.
Quick Facts
- Real economic growth in the Northwest Territories is expected to rise by 1.3 percent in 2014, by 2.5 percent in 2015 and by 7.9 percent in 2016, according to the Conference Board of Canada.
- The Government of Canada is advancing an integrated Northern Strategy that will strengthen Canada's sovereignty, protect our environmental heritage, promote economic and social development and improve northern governance.
Quotes
"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity for all Canadians. Economic growth in the territories is expected to outpace most other regions in Canada. We are capitalizing on this potential by helping northerners get the training they need to get jobs, fill skills shortages and contribute to a prosperous economy."
- The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development
"We see our success one person at a time, and all those people add up to a large number. Mr. Zoe, being our 1 000th person to obtain employment with the assistance of the Mine Training Society, proves that individual numbers can add up over time. One thousand people represents over 5 percent of our labour force in the Northwest Territories."
- Iris Catholique, Chairperson of the Mine Training Society
Related Products
Ensuring Employment Insurance program reflects local economies in the territories
Associated Links
Government of Canada's Northern Strategy
SOURCE: Canada's Economic Action Plan
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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