Governments of Canada and Newfoundland  and Labrador announce funding for a Labour Market Partnerships project

September 26, 2003

HARBOUR GRACE, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR—The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Member of Parliament for Humber–St. Barbe–Baie Verte and Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development, along with the Honourable Anna Thistle, Minister of the Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education for Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced funding of $11,049 for a Labour Market Partnerships project. Film Professional Development Inc. will build film production capacity in the Baccalieu Trail area. 

“This Labour Market Partnership contract addresses some specific needs of our labour market.  The resources that have been provided to the Film Professional Development group have introduced people to career options in a new and developing area of our economy,” said Minister Byrne.

The funds have been used to conduct a series of two-day workshops on various aspects of movie making, ranging from script writing to the basics of film production. The project began in May 2003 and will end in November 2003.

“Funding for this project will help ensure that a skilled work force will be ready to take advantage of opportunities as they arise in our economy.  This organization has undertaken activities that will see people being better prepared to take part in our labour market,” said Minister Thistle.

The Government of Canada is supporting this project through the Labour Market Partnerships (LMP) program, a support measure of the Employment Insurance (EI) Act announced on July 1, 1996.

The LMP program encourages communities to take greater responsibility for creating local employment by actively involving community partners.  Partners include employers; employees or their associations; provincial, territorial, and municipal governments; non-governmental organizations; health and educational institutions; band and tribal councils; and individuals and groups, among others.

The LMP program allows communities to improve their capacity for dealing with human resources requirements and for implementing labour force adjustments that support long-term job creation.  Human Resource Centres of Canada can provide funding up to a maximum of three years under Labour Market Partnerships.

The federal government, as represented by Human Resources Development Canada, and the provincial government, as represented by Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education, are working to help unemployed individuals find employment through the programs and services offered under the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement.

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.

This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department’s administration of its grant and contribution programs.

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For information:

Lorne Lambert, A/Regional Communications Manager
Human Resources Development Canada
(709) 772-0141 

Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Director of Communications
Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education
(709) 729-6573