Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Announce Agreements to Give Workers the Tools They Need to Find and Keep Good Jobs

GATINEAU, Quebec, March 8 -- Canadian Employment and Social Development issued the following news release:

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- An estimated 16,000 more Saskatchewan workers to benefit

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By investing directly in Canada's greatest asset--its resilient, hardworking people--the Government of Canada is helping to ensure that the economic growth we create is the kind of growth that works for everyone.

Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Canada's Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and the Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan's Minister of Immigration and Career Training, announced that both governments have signed agreements for Canada to provide Saskatchewan with nearly $500 million over six years; an investment in Saskatchewan's labour force.

These new agreements represent an increase in funding of over $70 million, in comparison to previous funding levels. This increase means an estimated 16,000 more Saskatchewan workers will benefit over six years; more jobs and skills training will be available to people in Saskatchewan, including apprenticeship training, employment assistance for persons with disabilities, adult basic education, employer-sponsored training and more. Through these agreements, the Government of Canada is ensuring more people benefit from these programs than before--including people from groups typically under represented in our workforce, such as persons with disabilities, visibile minorities, women and Indigenous Peoples.

As innovation and technology continue to change how we live and work, Saskatchewan residents and all Canadians are met with new challenges and new opportunities. That is why it is more important than ever to ensure everybody can benefit from an innovation-driven economy, which means ensuring both employed and unemployed people have a chance to learn the skills they will need for the jobs of today as well as the jobs of tomorrow.

Results matter, and the reason why these agreements include a commitment to performance measurement. Canada and Saskatchewan will be measuring how these programs are increasing people's earnings, helping them get jobs that last, and breaking down barriers for under represented groups. The Government of Canada will be reporting to Canadians on the impacts of these programs, so that they are transparent and can be continually improved.

The agreements announced today are the Workforce Development Agreement (WDA) and the Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA).

The Workforce Development Agreement will help Saskatchewan deliver training and services, such as:

The Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant, which allows new and existing employees to increase their knowledge and skills through training jointly funded by employers and government.

The Workforce Development for People with Disabilities Program, which helps to remove the barriers that people with disabilities face in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment.

The Adult Basic Education (ABE) program, which helps adults improve their literacy and essential skills.

Funding under the Labour Market Development Agreement will allow Saskatchewan to help more people and more employers meet their needs, through measures such as:

Apprenticeship training.

Labour market services, including career guidance, employment services, labour market information, and assistance navigating options for training and education.

Canada-Saskatchewan Rapid Response Teams, which provide support services for businesses and workers affected by production slowdowns or layoffs.

Every Canadian deserves a fair and equal chance at success in the workforce. Through smart investments like the provincial agreements announced today, we can strengthen our middle class and help more of the people working hard to join it.

Quotes

"I know that our greatest asset as a country is our people. Through investments like today's agreements with Saskatchewan, we're ensuring Canadian workers continue to be resilient and responsive as jobs evolve and as our economy grows. When we give people the tools to succeed, our middle class grows stronger and our workers and their families thrive."

- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.

"Saskatchewan's population continues to grow and our economy is diversifying. Future growth hinges on our province's ability to better match workers to jobs, training to the needs of employers and employees, and build skills in our resilient workforce.

- The Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Immigration and Career Training for Saskatchewan

Quick facts

Until recently, the Government of Canada transferred nearly $3 billion annually to provinces and territories to support employment and skills training programs. Through Budget 2017, the Government is investing an additional $2.7 billion from 2017-18 to 2022-23.

$900 million over a period of six years in new WDAs to consolidate funding from the current Canada Job Fund Agreements and the Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities; and

$1.8 billion over six years in amended LMDAs to provinces and territories.

In total, from 2017-18 to 2022-23, the Government will invest approximately $20 billion in WDAs and LMDAs with provinces and territories.

Through these agreements, provincial and territorial governments will have greater flexibility in the design and delivery of programming and services to respond to the diverse and emerging needs of Canadians.