News Release Archive

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--Winter Jobs Program Announced

The Nova Scotia government will help put more than 1,600
unemployed Nova Scotians back to work this winter.

Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism,
today announced that $3.9 million is available in the winter
employment program to create jobs in seven counties with the
province's highest unemployment rates.

"Job creation is top priority for this government," said Mr.
MacDonald. "Many areas of the province are experiencing economic
growth. However, not all areas are experiencing the same
opportunities. This program is designed to help those in areas of
high unemployment get back to work."

The provincial government will partner with business, non-profit
organizations, and other levels of government to create jobs for
out-of-work Nova Scotians. Employers will hire social assistance
recipients, unemployed Nova Scotians not eligible for employment
insurance, or people who were on the Atlantic Groundfish
Strategy, or TAGS program.

Under the direction of Economic Development and Tourism, the Nova
Scotia Works program will provide jobs for 500 people in high
unemployment areas in Victoria, Richmond, Inverness, Cape Breton,
Guysborough, and Digby counties, as well as on the Eastern Shore
of Halifax County.

Another 40 jobs will be created within various government
departments through the Public Sector Employment Program.

The Department of Housing and Municipal Affairs will create 325
jobs at Regional Housing Authorities provincewide, although
priority will be given to the seven targeted counties.

"This program benefits everyone," said Guy Brown, Housing and
Municipal Affairs Minister. "Those who need jobs the most will
get them, and our housing authorities will be able to get
necessary repairs done on housing units."

About 100 young people will receive work experience through the
Youth Service Learning Action Project. The Department of
Community Services and several other government departments
oversee the project, which is aimed at 15-to 29-year-olds who
have not finished school and cannot find relevant work
experience. 

"This type of initiative helps provide valuable work experience
and gives a number of young people on social assistance a chance
to increase their independence," said Francene Cosman, Minister
of Community Services.

Economic Development and Tourism, through a partnership with the
Department of Community Services and Human Resources Development
Canada will launch two other programs in early January that will
create another 660 jobs. The finishing touches are being added
and those programs will be announced later.

The deadline for employers to submit projects is Dec. 19.
Application forms are available in each of the seven counties at
the local Economic Development and Tourism Business Service
Centre, Access Nova Scotia centre or Human Resources Development
Canada offices.

Potential employees should register at their local Employment
Resource Centre or Human Resources Centre to be eligible for
work. Once the projects are selected, jobs will be posted at the
employment centres.

-30-

Contact: Angela Campbell
         Economic Development and Tourism
         902-424-1728
         E-mail: econ.campbeam@gov.ns.ca

gam                       Dec. 1, 1997                 11:55