The Government of Canada Helps More Than 2,000 People in the Lillooet Area Gain Skills and Jobs

LILLOOET, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Dec. 20, 2007) – The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians, and Member of Parliament for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced a three-year funding package for the Lillooet Friendship Centre Society to help unemployed workers in Lillooet and the surrounding area prepare for, find, and keep good jobs.”Our government is proud to support community organizations, like the Lillooet Friendship Centre Society, that help unemployed individuals find and keep quality jobs,” said Mr. Strahl. “Not only will our investment help more than 2,000 people in the Lillooet area who need employment and career assistance, but it will also benefit the local economy.”

The Lillooet Friendship Centre Society will receive nearly $900,000 from Service Canada’s Employment Assistance Services program. Through access to job-search facilities, job-search workshops, employment counselling, and employment-readiness programming and services, this project will help individuals get the skills they need to find and keep good jobs. In addition to the Government of Canada’s funding, the Interior Salish Employment and Training Society is also contributing nearly $124,000 towards the project.

This project reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to creating a strong economy for all Canadians. Through Advantage Canada, the Government is building on Canada’s strengths and developing a global competitive advantage by creating the best educated, most skilled, and most flexible work force in the world, reducing taxes for all Canadians, increasing competition in the marketplace, and building modern infrastructure.

Service Canada brings Government of Canada services and benefits together in a single delivery network. It provides Canadians with one-stop service they can access however they choose-by phone at 1 800 O-Canada, on the Internet at servicecanada.gc.ca, or in person at Service Canada Centres across the country.

This news release is available in alternative formats on request. Call 1-800-788-8282 on a touch-tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

BACKGROUNDER

Employment Assistance Services

The Employment Assistance Services (EAS) program provides funding to organizations that offer employment services to help clients re-enter the labour market. Funding for the EAS program was provided for in the March 2007 federal budget.

All unemployed Canadians have access to a range of services under the EAS program. However, some EAS offerings are available only to clients who are eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or who have recently been receiving EI benefits.

Employment Assistance Services include providing clients with information about the labour market, help preparing resumes, career-planning services, employment counselling, diagnostic assessment, help with job-search skills, job-finding clubs, and job-placement services.

Eligible recipients of EAS funding are businesses (including federal Crown corporations and provincial/territorial Crown corporations), organizations, individuals, public health and educational institutions, municipal governments, and band/tribal councils, as well as some provincial/territorial government departments and agencies. These entities act as employers or service coordinators under the program.

This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with Service Canada’s administration of its grants and contributions programs, and is subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.

For more information, please contact

Media inquiries:
Service Canada Communications
604-666-2337

or
Service Canada
Media Relations Office
819-994-5559

or
Public inquiries:
1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
TTY: 1-800-926-9105
servicecanada.gc.ca