Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador Support Renovation Project to Help Unemployed Residents Prepare for Jobs

MAIN BROOK, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR--(Marketwire - Aug. 18, 2009) - Local unemployed individuals will get construction work experience through the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador's support for a local employment project.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

"Our government supports Canadians, especially in these challenging times, and helps them contribute to the quality of life in their communities," said Minister MacKay. "Not only does this project provide work experience for unemployed individuals, this facility will serve this community for years to come."

The White Bay Central Development Association will receive $19,014 in Job Creation Partnerships funding to support the extension of St. Julien's Community Hall. This project will help 14 unemployed Employment Insurance-eligible individuals gain valuable work experience and skills that will help them secure future employment.

The federal government is working with the provinces and territories, communities and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the workforce and contribute to their communities.

The Job Creation Partnerships program offers participants valuable work experience and is part of the Government of Canada's strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored this commitment in January when it introduced Canada's Economic Action Plan, a key component of which is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development.

The Job Creation Partnerships program is delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits. For more information about this program, call 1-800-O-Canada, go on the Internet at www.servicecanada.gc.ca or visit your local Service Canada Centre.

BACKGROUNDER

The White Bay Central Development Association is an incorporated non-profit organization whose primary objective is to implement projects that will benefit the area through increased tourism. The Association has been involved in many projects that help the community's economy, such as enhancing an underground salmon pool at Beaver Brook and developing Main Brook Park. Between August 10, 2009, and October 30, 2009, the Association will allow 14 participants to gain valuable construction work experience by building an extension to St. Julien's Community Hall. This project will also include the repair of the local boardwalk, the construction of picnic tables and ground work around the community.

The Job Creation Partnerships program supports projects that create jobs for unemployed, Employment Insurance-eligible individuals so they can gain meaningful work experience. While the primary focus is on helping participants, funded projects must also benefit the larger community.

This program is funded through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement, which is co-managed by Service Canada and the provincial Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. Under the Agreement, the federal and provincial governments manage labour market development programs and services in Newfoundland and Labrador. These programs and services are funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by Service Canada through local Service Canada Centres.