May 24, 2007

Halifax, NS —Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore–St. Margaret’s, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced $284,273 funding for the Labour Supply and Manufactured Housing Human Resources.

“Canada’s New Government is committed to creating the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world,” said Mr. Keddy. “We’re proud to be working with members of the construction industry to increase the number of skilled tradespeople in the labour market while improving opportunities for the people of Nova Scotia.”

This project is supported through Service Canada’s Labour Market Partnerships program, which brings together partners to help meet the human resource needs of the local labour market.

The project will help the Atlantic Home Building & Renovation Sector Council plan for a realistic and effective industry driven recruitment and skills development approach. The study, which will take place over a period of 7 months, will involve an examination of current and projected trends in demand and supply by county, and identify implications for the industry and its workforce that can be addressed through proactive human resource strategies.

“The Labour Supply and Manufactured Housing Human Resources Studies will enable our industry to gain valuable insight into the workforce and the current state of the Manufactured Housing market,” explained Michael Montgomery, Executive Director of the council. “We look forward to sharing the results of this very important study with our industry partners.”

To help young people develop their skills in the trades sector, Canada’s New Government is delivering new initiatives and is working with employers, community organizations and other levels of government. These initiatives include:

• A new tax credit of up to $2,000 per year for employers who want to hire apprentices;
• A new cash grant of $1,000 per year to registered apprentices in the first two years of a Red Seals trade program;
• A new deduction of up to $500 for trades people for the cost of tools used at work.
  

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

- 30 -

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).
Media inquiries:

Sonja Bourgeois
Communications, Service Canada
902-426-4826

Media Relations Office
Service Canada
819-994-5559

Public inquiries:

1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
TTY: 1-800-926-9105
servicecanada.gc.ca