Programs Update Special Issue

On November 23, 2005, the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario signed a Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) and a Labour Market Partnership Agreement (LMPA). Under these agreements, the Government of Ontario will assume an expanded role in the design and delivery of labour market programs in Ontario.

Through the LMPA, the Government of Canada will invest an additional $1.368 billion over the next six years to support clients who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). Ontario and Canada will co-manage these funds and investments will be based on joint priority setting.

The LMDA transfers full responsibility for EI-funded Employment Benefits and Support Measures from the Government of Canada to the Government of Ontario. The agreement takes effect on January 1, 2007. Until then the Government of Canada, through Service Canada, will continue to deliver EI-funded employment programming in Ontario.

To ensure continuity of service to Ontarians during the transition, the Government of Canada will have the ability to extend current contribution agreements or enter into new agreements with third-party service providers for up to two years from the date of expiry of the current agreements.

Service Canada is currently working to implement the recommendations of the joint Service Canada/Voluntary Sector Working Group Report, including those pertaining to the Call for Proposals process that affects agreements over $500,000. We will keep you posted as to when and under what circumstances CFPs will resume in Ontario.

For further information on the LMDA and LMPA, please read the announcement or the LMDA or LMPA agreements.