NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
October 19, 2005

Government of Canada announces funding to help more than 3,500 unemployed individuals in Rexdale

ETOBICOKE, ONTARIO-The Honourable Roy Cullen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, on behalf of Belinda Stronach, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal, today announced funding of $662,679 for an Employment Assistance Services project to help more than 3,500 unemployed individuals in Rexdale. The Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning will receive this funding.

"I am pleased to announce funding for a project that will help Canadians find and keep work," said Mr. Cullen. "The Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning will help many unemployed individuals to get access to a wealth of resources that will help them to find meaningful employment."

"The Government of Canada is committed to supporting organizations that help Canadians to achieve their employment goals," said Minister Stronach. "This initiative will provide participants with the tools, resources and services they need to successfully integrate into the labour market."

Under the project, the Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning will run an Employment Resource Centre in the Rexdale area. The Centre will provide employment and labour market information to unemployed individuals. Photocopying and faxing services, computers and a telephone will be available to help clients find work. The Centre will also present workshops on subjects such as resume writing, career decision-making and job maintenance.

This project is being funded through Service Canada's Employment Assistance Services. These services help unemployed individuals to prepare for, find and maintain employment by providing them with services such as counselling, job search techniques and labour market information. These services are available to all unemployed Canadians, whether or not they have ever established a claim for Employment Insurance.

Today's announcement is linked to Canada's Workplace Skills Strategy, aimed at helping Canadians acquire the skills they need to find and maintain meaningful and productive jobs. The Government of Canada recognizes that Canada's future competitiveness depends on a highly skilled work force and on high performance workplaces that focus on skills development. It will work with businesses, unions, other levels of government, sector councils and workers to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to develop their skills and succeed, and that employers' needs are met.

Service Canada integrates services from a number of federal departments to form an easy-to-access service delivery network. These services, which touch all aspects of Canadians' lives, range from providing parental and pension benefits, to matching employers with job seekers, approving passports and providing Social Insurance Numbers. Today, this network brings together 320 points of service in communities throughout Canada; the national 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232) telephone service, which provides Canadians with information about all federal government services; and a range of online services at servicecanada.gc.ca.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal Budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This project has been reviewed to ensure its compliance with the Department's administration of its grant and contribution programs, and it is subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.

For more information (media only):

Media Relations Office
Service Canada
(819) 994-5559

Public Enquiries:

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