Signing of the Canada-Newfoundland Labour Market Development Agreement

The agreement we are signing today with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is a significant step in getting Canadians back to work.

Jobs are a key priority, both for Canadians and for our Governments.

This labour market development agreement shows what can be achieved when governments work together on important issues. Together, we can respond effectively to the evolving needs of Canadians.

The agreement also fulfills a commitment our Governments made to Canadians.

In November 1995, I promised that our Government would withdraw from labour market training over a three year period. We believe the level of government closest to Canadians plays a stronger role in deciding how federal money can best serve their job training needs.

Acting on that promise, we made an offer to the provinces and territories last May. We offered them the opportunity to tailor active employment benefits and measures according to their specific priorities and requirements.

Today's agreement does just that. It has been carefully crafted to meet the needs and circumstances of Newfoundland and Labrador. It ensures that Canadians in this province will continue to receive quality services in the official language of their choice.

Newfoundland and Labrador has chosen a co-management model. This means that the province and the Government of Canada will work together to design, manage and implement programs. These programs will be delivered via the Government of Canada's Service Delivery Network.

Today's agreement, and those signed last December with Alberta and New Brunswick, bring the total number up to three.

More agreements are on the way. Working together means working smarter. It is a pragmatic approach to making the federation work better for Canadians who are looking for jobs.

If all our provincial and territorial partners sign on, these agreements can put some $2 billion dollars into their hands for improved back-to-work measures -- $2 billion dollars to help Canadians find jobs.

Canadians need to get back to work. They want to get back to work. They deserve to get back to work. And they deserve to have their governments work together to create an environment that provides jobs and opportunities for them.

These are challenging times for a number of Canadians. I understand how difficult it can be for Canadians who want to work, but cannot find jobs.

But it is also a promising era of new relationships and new partnerships between governments.

An era of new commitment to work together to provide Canadians with the services and results they need.

When we sat down together last June, my provincial counterparts and I hammered out a plan for concrete, practical measures to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each level of government, and to reduce duplication and unnecessary overlap. We agreed that services to Canadians should be delivered by the order of government able to do it most effectively and efficiently. And we looked at areas where greater cooperation would benefit Canadians.

We have made progress since then.

The labour market development agreement we are signing today is the latest in a series of concrete achievements -- achievements that strengthen and modernize our federation. They all illustrate how our federation can evolve in a practical manner to meet new challenges.

I am sure today's announcement will provide inspiration for the negotiations which are still ongoing. I look forward to making more announcements in the coming months.

And above all, Canadians will be pleased to see different levels of government working together to get them back to work -- because that is the most important job of all.

Thank you.