PM signs historic labour agreements with the premiers of Canada's Territories

Northern job-seekers will receive additional help as a result of new labour market agreements signed between the Government of Canada and the governments of Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon.

"Canada’s North holds tremendous opportunities for the economy of our entire country," said Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who signed the historic agreements with Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie, Northwest Territories Premier Floyd Roland and Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak.  "We are taking concrete steps to ensure these economic opportunities are better shared with Northerners themselves.  This is the natural next step in our northern strategy and in our efforts to ensure Canada has the most educated and flexible workforce in the world."

The Government of Canada is investing more than $36.5 million over the next two years in training and skills development programs that will help workers in the territories, whether they qualify for Employment Insurance or not.  This support comes from new and existing Labour Market Agreements and Labour Market Development Agreements with the territories and measures introduced in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. 

The new Labour Market Agreements provide funding over five years to support those who are often excluded from the labour force, including Aboriginal people, older workers, youth, social assistance recipients and people with disabilities.  This funding will increase the skills levels of territorial workers to allow them to fully participate in the labour market.  It will also help people get skills that employers are looking for as the demand for a skilled workforce increases.

The Strategic Training and Transition Fund (STTF) is an additional $500 million, two year investment announced as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which provides flexible tools for provinces and territories to assist both EI, and non-EI eligible clients during the economic downturn.  The new STTF funding is delivered through the new Labour Market Agreements.
Under a new Labour Market Development Agreement, Yukon will now be responsible for the design and delivery of skills and employment training programs for Employment Insurance eligible residents.  Similar agreements are already in place in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. 

New investments with Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut provide support totalling almost $22 million and enable the territories to align labour market programming with their specific needs and complement existing investments.

As announced in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government is taking targeted action to inject immediate stimulus and promote long-term growth, including investments in infrastructure and in building and repairing northern housing.

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