LÉVIS, QC, April 10, 2013 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is providing support for youth in the Chaudière-Appalaches region to help them enter the job market and improve their living conditions. The announcement was made by the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Minister for La Francophonie and Member of Parliament for Lévis-Bellechasse, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
"Our government's top priorities are job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity," said Minister Blaney. "Through initiatives to help youth and address homelessness, our government is helping young people meet their basic needs and develop the skills they need to get jobs, increase their independence and contribute to their communities."
Travail Jeunesse is receiving over $98,000 from the Skills Link program to help youth overcome barriers to employment. As part of this organization's project, youth will attend various workshops, including workshops to improve their problem-solving and money-management skills. As well, in the organization's workshop/factory, they will learn about manufacturing and perform duties related to specific areas and operations, such as bagging, metal- and wood-working, and packing components.
This organization is also receiving over $8,000 in funding from the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) to allow youth who are at risk of homelessness to attend workshops on topics such as self-sufficiency, stress management and communication. Participants will also receive support services and employment assistance to help them make better lifestyle choices and improve their chances of finding work.
"This contribution supports our organization's mission to help youth who have dropped out of school to enter the labour market," said Serge Labrie, Director General of Travail Jeunesse. "It has allowed us to launch two projects aimed at increasing employability, during which participants will receive quality coaching and resources."
With an annual budget of more than $300 million, YES helps youth, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop employment skills, find jobs and stay employed.
Economic Action Plan 2012 provided an additional $50 million over two years to enhance YES through a new initiative that will connect young Canadians with jobs that are in high demand and help them develop tangible skills and gain work experience. Given its success, Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes an additional investment of $70 million over three years to support an additional 5,000 paid internships.
Economic Action Plan 2013 also proposes $119 million per year over five years for the HPS, using a Housing First approach as an effective way to reduce homelessness. In the spring of 2011, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec signed a collaborative agreement regarding the 2011-2014 HPS. This agreement takes into account the need for harmonization with the Government of Quebec's policies and programs regarding the fight against homelessness.
The Government of Quebec adds to the financial contribution of the Government of Canada by providing up to 50% of the funding to the community partners for all projects implemented under the HPS-Designated Communities.
Backgrounder
Youth Employment Strategy
The Youth Employment Strategy is the Government of Canada's commitment to help youth make a successful transition to the workplace.
Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employment, including youth who are single parents, youth with disabilities and youth in rural and remote areas, to develop the skills and gain the experience needed to find a job or the confidence to return to school.
Career Focus provides funding to employers to hire young post-secondary graduates to give them career-related work experience and help them acquire skills to transition into the job market.
Canada Summer Jobs provides funding to not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create summer job opportunities for young people aged 15 to 30 years who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the next school year.
To learn more about Canada's Youth Employment Strategy and other youth employment initiatives, please visit youth.gc.ca.
Homelessness Partnering Strategy
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to 61 designated communities across Canada.
In September 2008, the Government committed to investing more than $1.9 billion in housing and homelessness programs over five years. This included a renewal of the HPS until March 2014. Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes $119 million per year over five years, until March 2019, for the HPS using a Housing First approach. This represents nearly $600 million in total new funding.
"Housing First" involves giving people who are homeless a place to live first, and then providing the necessary supports (e.g. for mental illness) to help them stabilize their lives and recover as best as possible. "Housing First" can be an effective tool in solving chronic homelessness while reducing pressure on other shelter, health and justice services.
Since the launch of the HPS in April 2007, the Government has approved over $736 million for projects that prevent and reduce homelessness across Canada.
The HPS provides structures and supports that help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to achieve self-sufficiency and participate fully in society. This model seeks to address homelessness by working in partnership with the provinces and territories and other federal departments, as well as with communities and the private and not-for-profit sectors.
The availability of safe, stable housing and related supports is an important element in addressing homelessness and helping individuals who are homeless achieve greater self-sufficiency and a better quality of life. The Government's investments are creating jobs, stimulating local economies and improving the quality of life for many Canadians.
By working with all our partners, we will maximize results to make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable Canadians. The HPS provides the support that our community partners are seeking.
The HPS encourages a housing-first approach, recognizing that housing stability is an important first step in addressing homelessness. It is also necessary for the success of other interventions such as education and training, the development of life skills and the management of mental health issues.
For more information on the HPS and the seven funding streams, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.
SOURCE: Canada's Economic Action Plan
Alyson Queen
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Finley
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Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada
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This news release is available online at: actionplan.gc.ca.
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