May 15, 2002

Government of Canada funds project to recruit skilled tradespeople for restoration work

KINGSTON, ONTARIO- The Honourable Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, welcomed the announcement of the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada, that the Government of Canada is providing funding of $184,499 to support the Fort Henry Historical Group. 

The Government of Canada is supporting this project through the Labour Market Partnerships (LMP) Program, a support measure of the Employment Insurance Act. Through a study, the Fort Henry Historical Group will identify the availability of tradespeople with restoration skills for Eastern Ontario.

"There are hundreds of buildings in Eastern Ontario in need of restoration," said Mr. Milliken. "This project will not only help determine the supply of skilled tradespeople and the demand for their services, but it will also provide individuals with opportunities to establish careers in restoration work."

Under this project, the Eastern Ontario Heritage Structure Restoration Partnership of the Fort Henry Historical Group will undertake an inventory of skills requirements to support restoration activities and explore options to attract more trainees into this field of expertise. This project will also determine the restoration needs of heritage buildings in Eastern Ontario and develop partnerships to ensure that the resources needed to undertake these projects are available.

LMP encourages communities to take greater responsibility for creating local employment by actively involving community partners. Partners include employers; employees or their associations; provincial, territorial, and municipal governments; non-governmental organizations; health and educational institutions; band and tribal councils; and individuals and groups, among others.

The LMP Program allows communities to improve their capacity for dealing with human resources requirements and for implementing labour force adjustments that support long-term job creation. 

Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 Budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. 

This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grant and contribution programs.

- 30 -

For more information:

Paul Rollin
Media Relations Unit
Human Resources Development Canada
(819) 994-5559