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November 8, 2007

The Government of Canada Supports Women Through the Transition 55 Project

QUÉBEC CITY - On behalf of The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Luc Harvey, Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert, today announced funding to the Nouveau départ national for a project to assist women aged 55 to 65 with workforce re-entry and adaptation.

Older women entering or re-entering the workforce often face very different issues and challenges from those of younger women and thus require an entirely different set of supports. Funding in the amount of $30,400 will enable the Nouveau départ national to develop a three-part program for 256 women, 55 to 65 years of age, to prepare them for the changing realities of the workplace, to help them cope with transition in their work lives, and to provide them with strategies for overcoming isolation and improving the quality of their lives.

"Many older women, particularly those who have left the workforce for long periods or who are entering it for the first time, find themselves unprepared for the demands they must face on a daily basis," said Mr. Harvey. "Our Government is pleased to support projects like this one, which will help older women workers adapt to the changing realities of the workplace, contribute to their communities and prepare for their future."

Ms. Micheline Bertrand, President of Nouveau départ national, said, "We are delighted to have the support of the federal government to carry out our project, Transition 55, which will equip older women to face the many challenges of our rapidly changing workforce, and which will provide them with the tools they need to flourish in the years ahead."

Minister Verner announced on October 11 that 60 projects will receive funding totalling $8 million through the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada. The projects will have an impact on 260,000 women and girls across Canada. The Minister stated that, "The Government of Canada is pleased to support projects aimed at ensuring the full participation of women in every aspect of Canadian society."

Status of Women Canada is a federal government agency working to promote the full participation of women in the economic, social and cultural life of Canada.

For more information on Status of Women Canada, visit http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/.

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For more information, please contact:

Richard Walker
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages
(819) 997-7788

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director, Communications
Status of Women Canada
(613) 995-7839

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