When it comes to training, the federal conservative government wants to replace a program that works with one that doesn’t.
In an effort to enhance the employability and skills of the labour force, the Government of Canada entered into Labour Market Agreements (known as LMA’s) in 2009 with provinces and territories. Under these agreements, provinces and territories determine the priorities for funding and decide how the funding is allocated in order to meet the needs of their particular labour markets. By all accounts, the LMA’s were working well.
However, in its March 2013 Budget, the federal government proposed a new program called the Canada Job Grant. This new program would be financed by cutting $300 million annually (60 percent of today’s $500 million total) from funding to provinces and territories under the federal-provincial LMA’s. This would force provinces to cut valuable, proven programs and services while the proposed federal program would put further pressure on provincial budgets by requiring them to come up with new funding – a further $300 million – to match federal contributions.
A new website (LMAWorks.com) has been created for individuals, organizations and employers that have first-hand experience with the important role that LMA programs play in communities from coast to coast to coast. The site will document success stories, examples of best practices and provide for a dynamic exchange of support and suggestions for the continuation of adaptive, flexible and responsive LMA programming.
For more information about this issue, contact: iboucher@cupe.ca