Service Canada

CHESTER, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - July 24, 2008) - More than 3,000 unemployed residents of Lunenburg and Queens counties will get help to re-enter the work force thanks to a federally funded program. Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret's, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.

"The Government of Canada is committed to creating the best educated, most skilled, most flexible work force in the world," said Mr. Keddy. "Not only will this project help over 3,000 individuals in Lunenburg and Queens counties who need employment and career help, but it will also help local employers and the local economy."

The South Shore Community Service Association (SSCSA) will receive a total of $329,825 in funding from Service Canada's Employment Assistance Services program to support two projects. The SSCSA will receive $239,965 to provide employment counselling, life skills workshops, and employment readiness programming to 45 unemployed individuals, and $89,860 to operate a self-serve employment resource centre where as many as 3,000 individuals can get career help.

These projects reflect the Government of Canada's commitment to creating a strong economy for all Canadians. Through its Advantage Canada plan, the Government is building on Canada's strengths and gaining a global competitive advantage by creating the best educated, most skilled, and most flexible work force in the world, reducing taxes for all Canadians, increasing competition in the marketplace, and building modern infrastructure.

Service Canada brings Government of Canada services and benefits together in a single delivery network. It provides Canadians with one-stop service they can access however they choose-by phone at 1 800 O-Canada, on the Internet at servicecanada.gc.ca, or in person at Service Canada Centres across the country.

This news release is available in alternative formats on request. Call 1-800-788-8282 on a touch-tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

BACKGROUNDER

Employment Assistance Services

The Employment Assistance Services (EAS) program provides funding to organizations that offer employment services to help clients re-enter the labour market. Funding for the EAS program was provided for in the March 2007 federal budget.

All unemployed Canadians have access to a range of services under the EAS program. However, some EAS offerings are available only to clients who are eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or who have recently been receiving EI benefits.

EAS include providing clients with information about the labour market, help preparing resumes, career-planning services, employment counselling, diagnostic assessment, help with job-search skills, job-finding clubs, and job-placement services.

Eligible recipients of EAS funding are businesses (including federal Crown corporations and provincial/territorial Crown corporations), organizations, individuals, public health and educational institutions, municipal governments, and band/tribal councils, as well as some provincial/territorial government departments and agencies. These entities act as employers or service coordinators under the program.

This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with Service Canada's administration of its grants and contributions programs, and is subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.