Harper Government Supports Employment Opportunities for Canadians with disabilities
VANCOUVER, March 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Q.C., Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Delta-Richmond East attended the first annual Abilities in Mind (AIM) conference. The event brings together employers, service providers and individuals with disabilities to promote understanding and exchange best practices.
"Our Government is striving to remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities by helping them get the right skills and training and encouraging employers to create inclusive workplaces," said Minister Findlay on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. "We need all of our available skilled and talented Canadians at work in the interest of the future health and competitiveness of our economy."
Canadians with disabilities have a tremendous amount to offer employers, but they remain underrepresented in the workforce. That is why, through Economic Action Plan 2012, the federal government invested an additional $30 million in the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities and created a Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities to examine successes, best practices and barriers to employing people with disabilities.
The Government of Canada supports numerous other programs and initiatives to promote the inclusion and full participation of people with disabilities in Canadian society including the Registered Disability Savings Plan, the Enabling Accessibility Fund, Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities, and post-secondary education assistance measures for students with disabilities.
Backgrounder
Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills
Development and the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance
announced the creation of the Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for
Persons with Disabilities on July 30, 2012, as outlined in the Economic
Action Plan 2012.
The Panel found that, while many companies are making strides in hiring people with disabilities, more education and training are needed to overcome barriers. The report recognized that hiring people with disabilities is good for business. The Panel also advised that leadership and effective community partnerships are keys to success in increasing employment among people with disabilities. It highlighted a number of actions employers can take to accommodate people with disabilities in their workplaces.
The Panel's report, Rethinking disAbility in the Private Sector, is available online and in alternative formats.
Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities assists people with
disabilities to prepare for, obtain and keep employment or become
self-employed. The Government of Canada invests $30 million annually
through this program to connect individuals with the skills and work
experience needed to participate fully in the economy. Through Economic
Action Plan 2012, the federal government invested an additional $30
million in the Opportunities Fund to help more people with disabilities
gain the hands-on experience they need to find jobs.
For more information, or to propose a project, visit servicecanada.gc.ca.
SOURCE: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
For further information:
Alyson Queen
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada
819-994-5559
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This news release is available online at: actionplan.gc.ca