PREMIER--CANADA AND NOVA SCOTIA SIGN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nova Scotia Premier John Savage and Pierre Pettigrew, federal minister of human resources development, today signed the Canada-Nova Scotia Agreement on a Framework for Strategic Partnerships. "This agreement is tailored to meet the unique needs of Nova Scotians," said Premier Savage. "We have recognized that all of us -- citizens, communities and governments -- have a responsibility in getting people back to work. By working in partnership with our federal colleagues, we'll be able to capitalize on the strengths of governments and citizens. This will result in improved services for unemployed Nova Scotians." "This made-in-Nova Scotia strategic partnership recognizes that dynamic and sustainable communities are built by working together, and by working smarter," said Mr. Pettigrew. "By fostering a new labor market partnership that responds to the needs of Nova Scotians, we are taking another step forward in our efforts to renew the federation. Through these flexible arrangements, we can help unemployed Nova Scotians find and keep jobs." "This agreement will allow us to concentrate government dollars on solid community projects that will help Nova Scotians find jobs," said John MacEachern, provincial minister of community services. "We have had great results with recent federal-provincial partnerships by working closely with communities and addressing the needs of people looking for work. This made-in-Nova Scotia approach is a continuation of Nova Scotia's long history of co-operative, community-based employment strategies." This strategic partnership establishes a framework for the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia to foster opportunities to benefit unemployed Nova Scotians. The two governments will co-ordinate their efforts to minimize overlap and duplication and to improve their respective labor market programs and services for the benefit of Nova Scotians. Under this agreement, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia will work with residents and communities across Nova Scotia to implement programs and services that will reflect regional economic and labor market priorities. The federal-provincial agreement is based on the groundwork already established through successful co-operative partnerships such as the Entrepreneurial Centre in North Sydney, where the two governments work with educational institutions, local and regional businesses, and volunteers. Today's agreement acts on commitments made by the government of Canada to withdraw from labor market training and to seek new partnerships with the provinces and territories in labor market development. The government of Canada made these commitments in the May 1996 Labour Market Development Proposal to the provinces and territories. As part of this proposal, each province and territory has the opportunity to negotiate a unique agreement on labor market development that reflects its specific priorities and interests. Over the initial three years of the agreement, the government of Canada will spend $209.6 million in Nova Scotia on active employment benefits and measures funded through the Employment Insurance Account. These funds will support active employment measures and benefits and will foster partnerships with employers, community-based organizations and other stakeholders. Nova Scotians will have access to a wide variety of programs and services funded through the EI Account to help them achieve self-reliance and get back into the workforce. These programs and services could include: targeted wage subsidies; targeted earnings supplements; self-employment assistance; job creation partnership; labor market partnerships, and employment assistance services. Key to this new agreement is results. One critical measurement will be the number of people who return to work. This agreement's made-in-Nova Scotia approach means that citizens and communities will work with government to find the best paths toward self-reliance. Nova Scotians receiving municipal and/or provincial social assistance may be eligible for several programs and services to help them achieve their full potential and to find and keep jobs. These include: Career Planning for Single Parents; Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Persons; Assessment Services; Work Activity Projects; Literacy Training, and a new program called Bridging to Success. In areas where feasible, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia will establish joint service delivery centres. In these locations, Nova Scotians will have access to a full range of federal and provincial labor market programs and services. This agreement will not result in the transfer of any federal programs or administrative resources to Nova Scotia. The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia are also working together on the design and delivery of a loans and grants program to support individuals while they develop the necessary labor market skills. To meet the objectives of this agreement, both governments are currently reviewing proposals and setting up specific action plans for future projects. Individual project announcements will be made once details are finalized. With the Canada-Nova Scotia partnership agreement, the government of Canada has now been successful in negotiating new partnerships with the majority of provinces. The federal government is continuing to negotiate labor market development agreements with other provinces and territories. Each has the opportunity to create a unique arrangement that reflects its own local and regional priorities and needs as the Canada-Nova Scotia Agreement for a Framework on Strategic Partnerships does. -30- Contact: Anna Kapiniari Office of Minister Pierre Pettigrew 819-953-2353 Kathy Moggridge Human Resources Development Canada 902-426-8306 Cathy Shaw Nova Scotia Community Services 902-424-4326 NOTE TO EDITORS: Two backgrounders are available by calling 1-800-670-4357 or 902-424-4492: 1. The Canada-Nova Scotia Agreement on a Framework for Strategic Partnerships and Employment Insurance 2. Highlights of the Canada-Nova Scotia Agreement on a Framework for Strategic Partnerships Pour version francaise, appeler 1-800-670-4357 ou 902-424-4492. trp Apr. 24, 1997 - 11:20 a.m.