Signing of the Canada-Newfoundland Labour Market Development Agreement
March 24, 1997
Ottawa, Ontario
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.
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