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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Harper Government conducting consultations on Canada Job Grant across the country

Toronto, Ontario, May 14, 2013— The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced a series of cross-Canada roundtable discussions with stakeholders on the new Canada Job Grant, an Economic Action Plan 2013 initiative that will create jobs by transforming the way Canadians receive skills training.

"Through Economic Action Plan 2013, the Harper Government continues to create jobs and pave the way for long-term prosperity by putting skills training front and centre," said Minister Van Loan. "The Canada Job Grant will take skills-training choices out of the hands of government and put them where they belong: in the hands of employers with unfilled jobs and Canadians who want to work."

This week, Members of Parliament will conduct over 20 consultations across the country for a broad range of input from employers, labour organizations, training institutions, industries and regions across the country. The consultations provide an opportunity for stakeholders to inform the design and implementation of the Canada Job Grant, which will be introduced as part of the renewal of the Labour Market Agreements, negotiated between the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories.

The Grant will transform the way Canadians receive training by placing skills training decisions in the hands of employers and Canadian workers. It could provide $15,000 or more per person, including a maximum $5,000 federal contribution and matching contributions from provinces/territories and employers. Once it is fully implemented, nearly 130 000 Canadians each year will have better access to the training they need for a new or better job or to reskill for their current job.

Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes new measures to connect Canadians with available jobs and equip them with the skills and training they need. These include the Canada Job Grant, creating opportunities for apprentices and providing support to under-represented groups, including persons with disabilities, youth, Aboriginal peoples and newcomers.

For more information, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.