More Help For Canada's Unemployed

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND
B.C. INVEST $60M IN JOBS

A $60-million commitment will help the Job Opportunities Program create immediate employment and help workers in all industry sectors and communities impacted by the economic downturn, announced Lynne Yelich, federal Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and Bill Bennett, British Columbia’s Minister of Community and Rural Development.

The Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia will each contribute up to $30 million toward the provincial program. Eligible projects will assist smaller communities that have experienced significant job losses or loss of a major employer and lack alternative employment opportunities. This funding is part of an ongoing commitment to invest in British Columbia communities and support the economy. Project proposals are due by July 24, 2009.

“Our government’s number one priority is to stimulate our economy and create jobs for Canadians,” said Yelich. “Federal funding under the Community Adjustment Fund to expand the Job Opportunities Program is just one example of how our government is helping to strengthen communities and keep British Columbians working during these challenging economic times.”

“The Province is taking action to create as many jobs as quickly as possible in order to help workers and families through this time of economic upheaval,” said Bennett. “This funding will create jobs when and where they are most needed, while at the same time upgrading infrastructure, improving the environment and in many cases, providing workers with new skills that will benefit them as the economy recovers.”

One such project will be implemented through the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association. The association will receive more than $5.5 million to deliver several different range fencing-related components on crown land, including fence line protection and replacing aging fences. This project will create jobs, strengthen local economies and provide much-needed fences along rangelands to protect both cattle and people.

This project is in keeping with the goals of the federal and provincial governments, as detailed in Canada’s Economic Action Plan and British Columbia’s Ranching Task Force, which are both working to create and maintain jobs for a strong, vibrant and sustainable economy.

The Government of Canada’s contribution to the Job Opportunities Program will support projects that meet all the federal requirements for funding under the Community Adjustment Fund. The contribution under Canada’s Economic Action Plan will help stimulate the economy and keep Canadians working during the economic downturn.

The Province of British Columbia’s $30 million was first committed in Budget 2009/10 as part of its commitment to provide stability for workers and communities, maintain the workforce during the economic downturn and help British Columbians gain new skills to be successful in the future.

The Job Opportunities Program was first announced in May 2008 as one component of the $129-million Community Development Trust. So far, more than 6,000 workers and their families have been helped through the Trust.

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, co-ordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.

For more information about the Job Opportunities Program, click here.

For more information on the Ranching Task Force, click here.

For more information on the Community Adjustment Fund in the West click here.

For more information Canada’s Economic Action Plan, click here.