Gatineau, Quebec – Employment and Social Development

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, and the Honourable Jody Carr, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, today signed a memorandum of understanding on a new generation of Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities (LMAPDs).

The new LMAPDs help Canadians with disabilities get jobs and better meet the needs of Canadian businesses. Under this agreement, the Government of Canada will provide over $5.9 million per year to New Brunswick, a contribution that will be matched by the province.

As announced in the Economic Action Plan, this new generation of LMAPDs represents a federal investment of $222 million per year 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. With mandatory employer involvement and better reporting of outcomes, the new LMAPDs will better connect Canadians with disabilities with available jobs.

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.

Quick facts

• Approximately 800,000 working-age Canadians with disabilities who are able to work are not currently doing so. Almost half, or 340,000, of these individuals have some post-secondary education.
• Currently, LMAPDs allow provinces and territories to fund over 100 programs, which provide over 300,000 interventions per year.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes new measures to support Canadians with disabilities, such as: o $15 million over three years to the Ready, Willing & Able initiative of the Canadian Association for Community Living; and o $11.4 million over four years to support the expansion of vocational training programs for Canadians with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Quotes

"Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Through the Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities, we are helping Canadians with disabilities gain the skills and experience they need to find jobs, while giving employers access to a better and larger pool of talented employees. Our government is very pleased that New Brunswick has committed to participate in this new generation of agreements to help people with disabilities get jobs in their area."

– The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development

"Our government's top priority is jobs and the economy. This memorandum of understanding will help us continue delivering targeted, successful and proven programs for persons with disabilities that will better lead to real jobs for real pay. We are building an inclusive province where all persons have the opportunity to succeed in the labour market. By working with community partners, employers and the federal government we are well positioned to provide more job opportunities for citizens with disabilities. Today’s announcement is the result of incredible collaboration and commitment."

– The Honourable Jody Carr, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour