The Forum of Labour Market Ministers to hold consultations on labour market transfer agreements

QUEBEC, June 28, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers reinforced their commitment to collaborate on key opportunities and challenges facing the Canadian workforce and agreed to work together to conduct broad-based consultations on the annual $3 billion investment in labour market transfer agreements to ensure they are responsive to the needs of Canadians.

Ministers made the announcement today after a videoconference meeting of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM), where they also approved next steps for the creation of the Labour Market Information Council.

Consultations will take place over the summer months to gather perspectives from a broad range of stakeholders to look at ways to improve the transfer agreements and inform future investments. This work will help support provincial and territorial employment and training programs that address labour market needs in a fast-changing economy.

These consultations will be held across Canada, online and through written submissions with a wide range of experts, stakeholders and individual Canadians. Information regarding these consultations will be posted on the FLMM website (http://www.flmm-fmmt.ca).

Labour Market Ministers will discuss the consultation results at their next meeting planned to take place in Québec in October 2016.

Labour Market Ministers also discussed the Year Two Review of the Canada Job Grant and efforts underway by federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond to the Review's findings to ensure that the Grant is flexible and responsive, where it is implemented. Ministers will release the final report on the FLMM website in the coming weeks.

Ministers also endorsed a business plan for the implementation of the new Labour Market Information (LMI) Council. The FLMM will create the new Council as well as a Stakeholder Advisory Committee over the coming months. Through the Council, governments and stakeholders will work together to ensure all Canadians, including students, businesses, workers and educators, have access to unbiased information they need to make informed decisions.

Ministers also acknowledged the significant commitment and ongoing work with industry and training partners toward harmonizing apprenticeship training in the Red Seal trades in most jurisdictions. The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship has identified the trades to be harmonized by 2020 with an effort to harmonize training for two-thirds of all apprentices in Red Seal trades, in most jurisdictions, by 2017.

"The FLMM represents an important platform for the provinces, territories and federal government where they can exchange on their common challenges and best solutions to address them. Through this collaboration, we will continue to implement initiatives that meet the needs of individuals and companies from all provinces and territories," said Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity and provincial-territorial co-Chair of the Forum, Mr. François Blais.

"Canadians benefit when provinces, territories and the Government of Canada collaborate. I'm encouraged by the work we have accomplished, and I'm looking forward to building on this progress. It's vital to ensuring Canadians have the information and skills they need to find and keep the jobs that will help to ensure the middle class, and those working hard to join it, can participate more fully in the labour market," said the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.

FLMM Mission:
The FLMM was established in 1983 as an intergovernmental forum aimed at strengthening cooperation on labour market priorities of the provinces, the territories and Canada.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):

SOURCE Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Simon Laboissonnière, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region, Tel.: [phone]; Antoine Lavoie, Communications Division, Department of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, 418-646-0425, ext. 67229; John O'Leary, Director of Communications, Office of the Hon. MaryAnn Mihychuk, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, 819-654-5611; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]