CANADIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Governments of Canada and Alberta Support Workers Affected by the Economy

Friday, 5 June 2009

A new federal investment will help an estimated 10,100 Albertans get back to work by creating more job opportunities, through skills development.

To help workers hit hardest by the global recession, the Government of Canada is investing more than $101 million in Alberta's employment and training programs under an agreement between the federal and provincial governments.

"Our government is taking quick action to counter the effects of the economic downturn," The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre-North. "Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, we are supporting Canadians by providing new opportunities for short- and long-term skills upgrading that will help prepare them for the jobs of the future."

"The Government of Alberta is well positioned to respond rapidly and positively to the workforce needs of Albertans," said the Honourable Hector Goudreau, Minister of Employment and Immigration for Alberta. "We welcome the federal government's efforts to work cooperatively in meeting the needs of Albertans during this economic slowdown."

This new funding is in addition to the approximately $315 million provided to the Province of Alberta over the next two years for employment and training programs under existing agreements.

Minister Goudreau also noted that these funds line up well with the Government of Alberta's existing work in strengthening career services and adjusting programs to respond to skills training needs and demands as part of a long-term and strategic approach to developing a skilled workforce.

Under the new agreement, the Government of Canada is investing $68 million to help the Province provide employment and training programs to its industries and Employment Insurance-eligible residents.

Besides utilizing the $102 million in federal funding over the next two years, the Government of Alberta this year has budgeted $473 million for income supports and related health benefits, $180 million for employment and training programs, $78 million for immigration programs and $45 million to implement the Health Workforce Action Plan.

Nationally, the federal government has announced $1.5 billion in new investments over the next two years to respond to the economic downturn and provide training and skills development for more than 150,000 workers.

Similar announcements were made in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Agreements with Nova Scotia, Quebec and British Columbia are already in place.

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