YELLOWKNIFE: Canadians with disabilities in the Northwest Territories will be better equipped with the skills and experience they need to get jobs through a new federal-territorial agreement announced today by the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, and the Honourable Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment for Northwest Territories.
The Northwest Territories is the second jurisdiction to sign on to the new Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities (LMAPDs), which are designed to improve employment prospects for Canadians with disabilities and better meet the needs of Canadian businesses. This is also the first time that these agreements have been available to the territories. The LMAPDs are the Government of Canada’s single largest investment in helping Canadians with disabilities get jobs.
Under this agreement, the Government of Canada will provide $1.25 million per year to the Northwest Territories, a contribution that will be matched by the territory.
As announced in the Economic Action Plan, this new generation of LMAPDs represents an investment of $222 million per year by the Government of Canada in the provinces and territories. This will allow provinces and territories flexibility to determine how to best address the needs of Canadians with disabilities, while helping Canadian businesses benefit from their skills and talent.
As part of the Government of Canada’s plan for job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity, the new generation of LMAPDs will help connect Canadians with available jobs in their area.
“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Through this agreement with the Northwest Territories, we are helping Canadians with disabilities gain the skills and experience they need to find jobs, while giving employers better access to a pool of talented employees.” said the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism
“This agreement will support us in our work to ensure that Northwest Territories residents have the skills, knowledge and opportunities to participate fully as productive citizens in the northern economy. We look forward to collaborating with partners and stakeholders on this agreement to maximize its impact and benefit in support of persons with disabilities.” said the he Honourable Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Government of the Northwest Territories
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