Owen Sound, ON – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, today completed a tour of the Grey Bruce region with Larry Miller, Member of Parliament for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

Minister Kenney and MP Miller visited the Bruce Power nuclear facility, where Minister Kenney applauded the company’s investments in employee training and apprenticeship to address the skills pressures in the nuclear industry. Minister Kenney praised Bruce Power’s training centre and student internship programs. He also encouraged the company to take advantage of federal programs that help provide Canadians with the necessary skills training and apprenticeship opportunities for well-paying, in-demand jobs.

Minister Kenney and MP Miller also visited Georgian College and emphasized the vital role of Canada’s colleges in preparing the skilled workforce Canada needs now and in the future. Minister Kenney praised how closely Georgian College works with industry and community partners to offer students cutting-edge training and relevant work experience for in-demand jobs. He also highlighted federal programs that support Canadians with skills training and apprenticeship opportunities.

Minister Kenney and MP Miller also visited Krueger Custom Steel & Machining Ltd. in Owen Sound, which has more than quadrupled its number of workers in the last 20 years.

Quick facts

• Canada’s nuclear industry represents over 60,000 jobs. Half of the industry’s electricity generation workers are eligible for retirement in the next 5 to 10 years. Bruce Power is the world’s largest operating nuclear facility by output and has 4,100 employees, who work mostly in high-skilled jobs.
• The Canada Job Grant will help Canadians get the training they need for available jobs and put skills training decisions in the hands of employers.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes several measures to ensure training reflects the needs of the labour market, including the Canada Apprentice Loan which could provide up to $4,000 in interest-free loans for apprentices registered in their first Red Seal trade.

Quotes

“Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. The future of our energy industry depends on a strong, stable and adaptable workforce. The importance of this sector’s contribution to the Canadian economy cannot be underestimated. We are committed to helping address the skills shortage in the nuclear industry and helping companies like Bruce Power fill high-demand job vacancies with skilled workers in sectors with high growth potential.”

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

 

“Minister Kenney does a tremendous amount of work for all Canadians in his position as Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism. He is a tireless worker and a close personal colleague. I was very pleased that Minister Kenney had the chance to take part in several activities, including meeting with local businesses throughout the riding, and was able to see all that Bruce and Grey counties have to offer.”

- Larry Miller, Member of Parliament for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound