Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announce new Older Workers Pilot Projects Initiative agreement

August 13, 2003

ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR—Mr. John Efford, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Trinity-Conception, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development, and the Honourable Ralph Wiseman, Minister of Human Resources and Employment for Newfoundland and Labrador, announced today that they signed a new Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Older Workers Pilot Projects Initiative agreement. The renewed agreement is a result of an extension to the Older Workers Pilot Projects Initiative to March 31, 2004.

Under the agreement, the Government of Canada will make available up to $538,457 for new pilot projects in the province. As this is a federal-provincial/territorial cost-shared initiative, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will also contribute to approved projects. Under the original Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador agreement, which expired in 2002, $713,220 in federal funds was made available to the province.

“Providing older workers with access to the tools they need to fully participate in today’s work force is crucial,” said Mr. Efford. “This renewed agreement will allow us to continue developing new pilot projects, which will help older workers find or maintain employment.”

Mr. Efford and Minister Wiseman also announced funding for a new pilot project under the Initiative.

The Government of Canada will contribute $221,028 to the Agriculture Awareness Community Services Program, which will provide 12 unemployed older workers with the skills, training and work experience necessary for them to return to work.

The participants will develop skills in greenhouse and agricultural operations, specifically in transplanting, harvesting and marketing. They will also receive job counselling, access to information through labour market analysis and an introduction to agricultural industries on the Bay de Verde Peninsula through site visits.

“My department is pleased to be a partner in this important initiative along with the Government of Canada and the Lower Trinity South Regional Development Association,” said Minister Wiseman. “This kind of cooperation is the key to achieving positive results for the people of our province. I am confident that further projects will be developed to ensure that our older workers remain productive members of our labour force.”

The Older Workers Pilot Projects Initiative was announced by the Government of Canada in June 1999. The Government has committed a total of $45 million to the Initiative nationally.

Through the Forum of Labour Market Ministers, the Government of Canada and the provincial and territorial governments have made a commitment to work together to resolve common labour market issues. Together, they set the parameters for the Older Workers Pilot Projects Initiative. The provincial and territorial governments design and implement the projects selected. The Government of Canada and participating provinces and territories provide funding for the projects.


For more information:

Media Relations Office
Human Resources Development Canada
(819) 994-5559

Simon Lono
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources and Employment
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-4062