FedNor Invests in Northern Ontario Youth

SUDBURY, Ontario, March 31, 2006 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor, today announced a FedNor investment of $810,500 in support of youth initiatives throughout the Greater Sudbury region. Of the total, $178,000 will be provided to the Northeastern Ontario Medical Education Corporation (NOMEC) for the expansion of its Youth Health Career Awareness Program (YHCAP). A further $632,500 will be used to fund 23 new youth internships in the region.

“This government is absolutely committed to stemming youth out-migration in Northern and rural communities,” stated Minister Clement. “At the same time, bolstering the health care system in the Greater Sudbury region is both a key social and economic goal. NOMEC’s Youth Health Career Awareness Program is a perfect illustration of how the two goals can be addressed simultaneously, to everyone’s benefit.”

Launched in 2001, the YHCAP was developed with the specific intent of persuading more young people from Northern Ontario to pursue careers in the health sector, and addressing longstanding difficulties in attracting and retaining health care professionals. FedNor funding will be used over the next two years to build on YHCAP’s successes to date, by expanding its mandate and activities to reflect the growth of health-related educational opportunities in the region. Information resources and promotional activities will be revised to ensure they reach out to all youth, including Aboriginals, francophones and residents of remote communities who have historically been under-represented in applications to health professional programs.

Laurentian University, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Collège Boréal, Cambrian College and the Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research are partners in this initiative.

“The development of this program will substantially increase the awareness and interest of northern youth in health careers and the need for health professionals in northeastern Ontario,” said Miriam McDonald, Chief Executive Officer for NOMEC. “We look forward to being a key player in contributing to a skilled health practitioner workforce and helping to retain young people in the North.”

FedNor’s Youth Internship Program is one of its most successful initiatives, helping Northern youth make the transition between classroom and career by providing a one-year internship following graduation from a post-secondary institution. Today’s announcement involves 12 organizations and businesses in the Greater Sudbury region, offering 23 internships. (see attached information sheet)

By supporting the development and retention of Northern Ontario youth through increased career training and employment opportunities, FedNor is opening doors and building futures for a prosperous Northern Ontario.

To find out more about FedNor, visit us at: http://fednor.ic.gc.ca

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:

Erik Waddell
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
(613) 957-0200

Sandi Campbell
Manager, Communications
FedNor
(705) 670-6251 or 1 877 333-6673