Canada’s Economic Action Plan - Prime Minister Stephen Harper stands up for Nova Scotia Workers

August 18, 2010

WATERVILLE, NOVA SCOTIA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today reinforced the Government of Canada’s support for Nova Scotia’s workers.  Following a visit to the Michelin Tire Factory in Waterville, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the company’s highly successful participation in the Government’s Work-Sharing Program.  Prime Minister Harper took the opportunity to announce continued support for the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers program — another initiative designed to keep Canadians working during and after the global economic recession.  He was joined by Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova.
 
“Our Government is standing up for Nova Scotia’s workers,” said the Prime Minister.  “As soon as the global economic recession hit, we took immediate action to come up with creative solutions like the Work-Sharing Program to keep businesses open and Canadians in their jobs.”
 
By joining the Work-Sharing Program in April 2009, the Michelin Tire Factory in Waterville avoided laying-off 95 employees; 578 employees at the plant participated in this program.  This year the company has removed its hiring freeze and added 91 new employees to its ranks.  This program has been successfully implemented across the country, indeed, the Prime Minister also visited another successful Work-Sharing Program yesterday, Global Upholstery Company Inc., in Downsview, Ontario.
 
“Today I am pleased to announce our Government’s continued support to help older Nova Scotians develop the skills they need to find new jobs,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “Because in today’s knowledge-based economy, we recognize the necessity of keeping our workforce up-to-date on the latest technologies, processes and best practices.” 
 
Through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers program, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia have been providing skills training and work experience for over 300 unemployed older workers in Nova Scotia since April 2009.  The program helps older workers re-enter the workforce and adapt to the changing economy. 
 


Backgrounder

CANADA’S ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN

WORK-SHARING PROGRAM AND TARGETED INITIATIVE FOR OLDER WORKERS

Work-Sharing Program:

Work-Sharing is an adjustment program to help employers and employees avoid temporary layoffs when there is a reduction in the normal level of business activity beyond the control of the employer.  The program provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week.  Work-Sharing Agreements must be agreed upon by both employee and employer representatives and approved by Service Canada.  Work-Sharing Agreements have a minimum duration of six weeks.
 
For further information, please visit the Work-Sharing Web site: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/work_sharing/index.shtml
 
Targeted Initiative for Older Workers:

In October 2006, the Minister of Human Resources and Skills development established a new national cost-shared program to help provide employment assistance to Canadians between the ages of 55 and 64 who live in communities which have been impacted by high unemployment, significant downsizing or company closures.  The program provides skills upgrading, job search strategies, skills assessment, work experience and income support.  Since its inception, the Government has committed $220 million to this program, $60 million of which was announced in Canada’s Economic Action Plan (Budget 2009). 
 
The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers is cost-shared between the Government of Canada and provinces and territories.
 
The Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia today announced continued support of almost $4 million for the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers program.  Since April 2009, this funding has been supporting 19 projects in the province and assisting over 300 unemployed older workers.
 
To date, over 13,000 workers across Canada have been helped through this initiative. 
 
For further information, please visit the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers site: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/employment/employment_measures/older_workers/index.shtml